“The perceived breast cancer victim is the person who goes into surgery, and with good reason. But the support person, the caregiver, is the silent victim, the one who takes over the perceived victim’s chores, answers questions for well-wishers, assumes double-income responsibility and becomes both parents if they are in a formal couple relationship, and is always the pillar of strength, even when he or she doesn’t feel like a pillar of strength.
This book is dedicated to the silent victims … When I needed help for myself, I found a lot of material on how I could help my spouse but nothing on how I could help myself while I was helping her.
You can’t help your partner if you aren’t helping yourself.”
Here are Ken’s 21 Ways to Keep Sane as a Support Person:
- Keep a journal
- Be the family reporter
- Share your feelings and thoughts with your partner as much as possible
- Let it out every now and then
- Have at least one confidante besides your partner
- Be honest with your children and get them involved in their mother’s recovery
- Laugh whenever you can
- Accept help from anyone who offers
- Read the literature
- Participate in your partner’s recovery
- At the same time, don’t succumb to guilt
- Don’t feel the need to “fix” things
- Find a spiritual comfort zone you can share
- Eat well
- Exercise regularly
- Sleep enough
- Take a deep breath often
- Find time to be alone when you need alone time
- At the same time, get used to being alone when you want company
- Nurture your creative outlets whatever they are
- And be patient
Our Her Nexx Chapter Community invites you to join us where women are connecting with each other’s stories, exploring different experiences, and transforming ideas.
The Future of Connection for Women
About Our Author
Ken Wachsberger
or Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/324589.
