Coping With Cancer-A Family View

An often forgotten feature of dealing with cancer is what I call 'after the event'. That is, when your loved one has passed on. The coming months are a particular difficult time for such people.

There is a real danger that during this time the grieving person resorts to addictive substances to get through the trauma. This is understandable but not always the best course of action. You can find myself drinking far too much alcohol (a lot more than the recommended amount per week) for the months following the death.

My experience is that you will then gradually come down to a reasonable level. I'm not advocating drinking as a way of coping. But I'm realistic in that some people will go down this root, so be aware of such behaviour. [I found myself going this way after my father's death in February 2005.]

Being angry and crying, even at the same time, are very common emotions following the event. Don't feel embarrassed by this. It is perfectly normal. Just try to avoid hurting yourself and others! I found that walking in the countryside was helpful, especially up and down hills. The physical effort will make you feel better and get rid of some of that pent up emotion.

Family & friends should keep a close eye on each other if possible. Following such a trauma it is often the case that people will shut themselves away and shun any social contact. Pick up the telephone and call each other. Keeping in touch with someone who has lost a husband, wife or partner is very, very important.

They have been used to being with a particular person, often for decades, so try to imagine the shock when that person is taken away from them; especially if it is sudden. Try to arrange some event (the theatre, a film etc) so that they will still feel part of the 'family' and it will get them socialising again.

It is natural to be more attentive immediately after the event but don't let it slip into long periods between contact in the future.

They say 'Time Heals'. I say that 'Time makes it hurt less'.

At the end of the day death is part of life. We just need to learn to cope with it.

This article may be reproduced in its entirety provided the resource paragraph below is included with the url kept active.

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Information on Mesothelioma, providing information about mesothelioma and mesothelioma news.

---

Mesothelioma Cancer: Early Warning Signs and Causes

What is Mesothelioma?Chances are you may never have heard of... Read More

Asbestos - The Silent Killer

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People... Read More

What You Need To Know About Lung Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't... Read More

Your Mesothelioma Case

Your Mesothelioma case is important to you. You have been... Read More

Coping With Cancer-A Family View

An often forgotten feature of dealing with cancer is what... Read More

Mesothelioma Help

According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is a malignant... Read More

Mesothelioma

Tragically the word mesothelioma is becoming more and more well... Read More

L&S Announce Steps to Protect Against Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Lewis and Sholnick have announced the publication of some simple... Read More

Asbestos Killed My Husband

He was only a child when it begun -and he... Read More

Mesothelioma Book - Review

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes Lorraine Kember... Read More

The Asbestos Disaster - Who Is To Blame

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were all aware of... Read More

What Are The Risk Factors For Mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma Treatment

Like all other types of cancer, mesothelioma is incurable. Although... Read More

Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is a disease... Read More

Mesothelioma Information Help

Depending on the stage of the disease, the most common... Read More

Mesothelioma - Cancer that Strikes 40 Years Later

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant... Read More

Acoustic Asbestos Ceiling Removal, Is It Necessary?

Homeowners with acoustic asbestos ceiling question about the effects of... Read More

Is Replacing the Lungs the Answer to Lung Cancer?

Late stage lung cancers are some of the hardest to... Read More

Does It Pay to Get a Mesothelioma Attorney?

Mesothelioma is a serious form of rare cancer. There is... Read More

Beryllium The New Asbestos?

It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb... Read More

Protect Against Mesothelioma by Avoiding Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial... Read More

Gene Therapy for Mesothelioma

An exciting new treatment that has given hope to mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma in the UK

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the external... Read More

Screening for Mesothelioma

Doctor appointments are critical to make sure you're staying in... Read More

Mesothelioma Research

Research offers hope of cure for mesothelioma. A laboratory mouse... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed- Questions to ask

Following diagnosis, uppermost amongst a patient's thoughts will be these..."Am... Read More

Lung Cancer-Non-Smokers at Risk!

Most of us non-smokers feel we've got little to worry... Read More

Who is at Increased Risk For Developing Mesothelioma?

Since the late 1800's Asbestos has been mined and used... Read More

Knee Deep in Asbestos

When I was 17 old I started working at an... Read More

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. The tissue lining the... Read More

Lung Cancer Discoveries

There is a new way to treat lung cancer with... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial tissues of... Read More

Lung Cancer: The Bad and the Worse

In terms of deaths caused by various forms of cancer,... Read More