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Writer's pictureSurviving Breast Cancer

Caregiving


“Cause you know, I just can't stand

To see, see you'all pushed around

‘Cause when things go wrong,

Wrong with you,

It hurts me too”

(E James)


Caregiving is a unique art form, unique in that all on the receiving end are different and are faced with their own personal, individual issues. Breast cancer presents many, many challenges to the patient and their caregiver.


Just last evening a young caregiver paid a visit to our Thursday Night Thrivers Meet Up looking for advice. She came to the right space. The responses to her quest were sincere, full of love, hope, and assistance. From the young lady’s response she was glad to have come.


But what are the characteristics for caregiving? After careful consideration we’ve determined the following:


  • First off, recognize that there are many ways to help.

  • Secondly, it is important to understand that caregiving is stressful. The caregiver needs to take care of themselves too.

  • Third, understand that the primary caregivers are actually the oncology team working to save your loved one.

  • Recognizing that you may be able to take notes at the ongoing medical visits (this was easier pre-COVID-19).

  • You may also be able to ask questions of this team if you are allowed to attend. In the event that only the patient is allowed in due to the pandemic then wait patiently and record or take notes of the discussion as soon as the patient returns to you. Remember that Chemo Brain is real and that memory for a patient undergoing chemotherapy may represent a challenge.

  • Show respect at all times to the patient. You are stressed but they are living “it.”

  • Let the patient make the decisions.

  • Offer to help, but mean it.

  • Take responsibility for practical matters.

  • Take pains to communicate fully.

  • Express your love, desire to help, but give the patient space.

As always let us know your thoughts and how you’d like to contribute to the discussion.

 

“Battling metastatic cancer is difficult enough for any person, and we should be breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of providing the best care possible,” said lead author AJ Scheitler, director of stakeholder relations at the health policy research center. “Our work aims to offer state-level policy solutions that should be further explored.” Read More.


 

People who care for other people do so without needed support in the way of paid leave or affordable and reliable paid care for the young, old, ill and disabled.


And professional caregivers themselves don't make enough money to properly care for their own families. Read More.

 

People who care for other people do so without needed support in the way of paid leave or affordable and reliable paid care for the young, old, ill and disabled.


And professional caregivers themselves don't make enough money to properly care for their own families. Read More.


 

During the crisis, on my drive from the hospital to home, I would sometimes think, “God, I could just get out of here” because the relentless pressure of every single day and the very painful sight of Brad being so sick added up to a wish for escape.


In reality, I didn't want to actually leave my children and abandon everything. But it was a tempting fantasy. Read More.

 

Recent Posts

See All
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 14
    Virtual
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 14
    Online Event
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join the Inflammatory Breast Cancer SBC community, meet others diagnosed with IBC, and connect with those who truly understand the unique needs we all face.
  • Thu, Nov 14
    Facebook, Youtube
    Nov 14, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Facebook, Youtube
    Nov 14, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Facebook, Youtube
    ¡Te invitamos a un webinar en vivo titulado "Citas después de un diagnóstico" En esta conversación, abordaremos los desafíos y oportunidades de retomar la vida amorosa y social tras recibir un diagnóstico médico de cáncer de mama.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
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    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Did you know you have magical powers? We all can literally change our bodies through breath and movement. Experience this ancient practice and feel your own powers grow!
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Virtual
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Únete a nuestro grupo de apoyo emocional dirigido por una experimentada psicóloga para recibir el apoyo necesario mientras enfrentas el desafío del cáncer. El diagnóstico de cáncer puede traer consigo una carga emocional abrumadora, y estamos aquí para ayudarte a transitar este camino.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    webinar
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Triage Cancer Conferences cover key tips to help navigate legal and practical issues, reduce the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis, and lower stress.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    Zoom
    Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Zoom
    Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Zoom
    Caregiver support groups for cancer patients provide a platform to explore ways of caring for a loved one while simultaneously receiving vital emotional and practical support for themselves.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the third Thursday of every month, we will have a special meeting for the MBC community. This space will be hosted by the incredible Psychologist Nancy Gaulin.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 25
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
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Upcoming
events

  • Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 14
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Thursday Night Thrivers IBC Meetup
    Thursday Night Thrivers IBC Meetup
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 14
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 14, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join the Inflammatory Breast Cancer SBC community, meet others diagnosed with IBC, and connect with those who truly understand the unique needs we all face.
  • ♡Citas después de un diagnóstico♡
    ♡Citas después de un diagnóstico♡
    Thu, Nov 14
    Nov 14, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Facebook, Youtube
    Nov 14, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Facebook, Youtube
    ¡Te invitamos a un webinar en vivo titulado "Citas después de un diagnóstico" En esta conversación, abordaremos los desafíos y oportunidades de retomar la vida amorosa y social tras recibir un diagnóstico médico de cáncer de mama.
  • Meditation Affirmations: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
    Meditation Affirmations: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Restorative Yoga with Kate: Follow your Gut
    Restorative Yoga with Kate: Follow your Gut
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Did you know you have magical powers? We all can literally change our bodies through breath and movement. Experience this ancient practice and feel your own powers grow!
  • Apoyo Emocional
    Apoyo Emocional
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Únete a nuestro grupo de apoyo emocional dirigido por una experimentada psicóloga para recibir el apoyo necesario mientras enfrentas el desafío del cáncer. El diagnóstico de cáncer puede traer consigo una carga emocional abrumadora, y estamos aquí para ayudarte a transitar este camino.
  • Triage  Cancer: Tips on Accessing Care
    Triage  Cancer: Tips on Accessing Care
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Triage Cancer Conferences cover key tips to help navigate legal and practical issues, reduce the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis, and lower stress.

1

Surviving Breast Cancer provides breast cancer support, events, and webinars at no cost to you! Whether you are looking to gain more knowledge on a particular topic or meet up with other breast cancer survivors, we have something for everyone. 

2

Our standing appointment on Thursdays is for all stages. We also host specific breakout groups once a month for specific stages and subtypes such as Metastatic breast cancer, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer, etc. 

3

The Book Club meets the first Sunday of every month at 11 am ET. You are welcome to join each month or pick and choose your month based on your availability and the book we are reading. 

4

Through art, writing, and other creative modalities, we hold the power to manage our stress, make sense of our now, and relax into moments of stillness. 

5

Free, monthly, online classes in restorative yoga, yoga for breast cancer, and Zumba. 

6

Después de un Diagnóstico

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