Chronic Illness & Psycho-oncology
It’s affecting you in so many ways, all of them hard…
Let’s face it: Your illness or your loved one’s illness (and all that comes with it) affects every area of your life. So much has changed… so much has been lost.
The things you used to enjoy and dream about now have a different meaning. That trip… that future with the grandkids… the diagnosis has changed all those priorities. Will they even happen now? Staying in bed might seem preferable to you anyway.
You feel it in your body… anything from aches and pains… to fatigue… to the terrible side effects of treatments or procedures.
Or you have become a nurse or listening ear for your loved one who is suffering.
And it’s scary. Treatments are scary. The uncertainty of healing or mortality is scary. Dying or losing your loved one can be unthinkable. Costs of care when you may not be able to work or have to take time off is daunting
No one seems to understand…
“I don’t feel well. Everyone tells me I am so strong, brave, or doing great. I just don’t feel like that person.”
Many people tell you, “Your [partner, mother, child, friend] will be okay. They’re lucky to have you. I don’t know how you do it.”
They mean well, but it feels dismissive and isolating. You doubt your abilities to “be strong” or to complete caregiving tasks. And, it’s hard to ask for help when everyone thinks you don’t need it.
I know you miss your old, capable self.
Suddenly, your days are busy with appointments, and you have to schedule around the effects of the disease or its treatments or caregiving duties.
Simple tasks like washing dishes, getting out of bed, or going for a walk are not so simple anymore. They require so much effort… so much help.
You miss being able to take life’s day-to-day for granted: to laugh, to “do nothing,” to daydream about growing old…
To make things even tougher, you’re thinking of your friends and family.
You don’t want to be a burden, but you probably wonder if you are – at least, sometimes.
Or, you don’t want your loved one who is suffering from illness to know you are struggling with fear about their health or feeling overwhelmed by “all the caregiving stuff you have to do from cleaning to changing wound dressings…”
So, you stay silent and hope no one notices. You cry alone in the shower or your car. You’re jealous of your peers who live normal lives.
You may need support from someone outside of your inner circle.
Instead of bottling it up so that it explodes, getting it out to someone who can listen and support you through this uncharted period can help.
But, being vulnerable with friends or family who are close can be hard, and sometimes it just doesn’t feel like enough.
But it’s hard to know who or what will be helpful. Where do you even begin?
I can help. Here’s how…
I’ve had years of experience and training (in hospitals, clinics, and a cancer center) with patients and caregivers affected by chronic illness. Through those experiences, I have learned much from my colleagues and patients about the chronic uncertainty illness introduces into life – often unexpectedly.
My passion for helping and caring, compassionate approach coupled with knowledge, understanding, and a desire to learn more are at the core of why and how I can help you.
We will meet to discuss your struggles, needs, hopes, losses, and past. From there, we will develop a plan for our work together. Through support and exploration of what matters most to you, we will explore all the things that come with chronic illness: a mix of emotions, change in relationships, losses (all sorts of loss), grief, hope, communication challenges with medical teams and loved ones, financial stress, and a lot more.
There may be laughter and often tears. It will be harder on some days to talk. That’s okay. In the end and throughout our work, you will feel heard, understood, and supported.
As we work together, I’ll always respect that you are the expert on YOU, and what we do together will be tailored to your unique characteristics, situations, goals, and concerns.
There’s no need to go it alone or suffer in silence.
I know these are difficult times…
And I know you’re struggling to live the life you want, given the circumstances.
Let me walk with you… and help you manage the challenges that are coming your way.
Give me a call. Let’s talk about how I can help: (724) 271-8503.