Cheerleader
Colaborator
Friend
Shoulder to lean on
Nurse
Doctor
Sounding board
Secretary
Patient
Therapist
Team Mate
Patient....
The list is endless. Everything that your husband goes through .... You will go through. You are in this just as much as your husband. Maybe even More!
He gets to feel how he is doing.... You have to guess.
He gets all the attention..... You never get asked how YOU are
He knows when he feels better..... You suffer way more.
He gets to be cancer free. cancer still haunts you even years later.
Cheerleader is the easy part. Hiding the emotional pain that you go through as the caregiver is so much harder.
How do I know?
My wife Audrey, was EVERYTHING to me during my cancer diagnosis, surgeries and recovery, and every Dr. visit for the past 5 years. She was MY TEAM.
But(an for me it's a BIG Butt) Ha
The emotional bond that Audrey and I had, became so much stronger as we went through the Journey. We always had a good relationship.... cancer became the war that cemented our resolve to be a total team. We came out the other side as a force to be reckoned with.
The prime reason was............ Communication.
We discussed ..... Everything. And I mean EVERYTHING! I held nothing back. My fears, disgust, victories, and the long road to recovery.
Even so, three months after I went back to work, she had a short meltdown. She had suffered through our illness as much as me. And after such a long battle, she needed to be selfish for a short time. She deserved it!
So. Put on your battle dress. Don't take no for an answer. And let your partner know that this is a team sport. And you are in it together!
Sounds easy. But it's hard. Communication will be the key.
It was for us.
Sincerely
George
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