I don’t want to do this anymore. The minute I thought those words, I felt guilty. My husband’s long battle with cancer was really taking a toll on me. Yet, just thinking about my own struggle, I felt guilty. He was the one battling cancer, after all. Yes, I was exhausted, and yes, I wasContinueContinue reading “How to Deal with Caregiver Guilt and Overcome It”
Tag Archives: spousal caregiver
How to Deal with a Difficult Sick Husband
Caring for a seriously ill spouse is an emotionally taxing undertaking. It can test your patience, stir up a variety of feelings from sorrow to frustration, and leave you grappling with a profound sense of powerlessness. When your partner is frequently angry or irritable, caregiving for them can be even more challenging. If this isContinueContinue reading “How to Deal with a Difficult Sick Husband”
Loving Your Spouse Unconditionally Through a Serious Illness
We all know what love is, and most of us know how it feels. It feels wonderful, especially when it’s effortless. Over time and often in long-term relationships, the loving feelings we have for our partner or relatives get buried beneath unmet expectations, frustrations, and daily annoyances. And when our partner has a serious illness,ContinueContinue reading “Loving Your Spouse Unconditionally Through a Serious Illness”
6 Steps to Defining the Role of Caregiver When Your Partner Is Sick
When your partner gets sick, you take on a new role: the role of caregiver. Sometimes, it happens subtly and over time. They get a diagnosis, and as the weeks and months go by while they fight the disease, you gradually take on more tasks and deal with new thoughts and emotions as a result. ContinueContinue reading “6 Steps to Defining the Role of Caregiver When Your Partner Is Sick”
The Power of Honesty When Caregiving for Your Partner
When we make the choice to spend our lives with a partner, it’s rare that we envision someday becoming their caregiver. Yet, the unpredictable nature of life means we might find ourselves in a role we never foresaw, one of being a spousal caregiver. Adapting to this role can be difficult, even for those withContinueContinue reading “The Power of Honesty When Caregiving for Your Partner”
Caregiver Resilience: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Build It
When caring for your partner, building resilience–the ability to continue forward in the face of adversity–is essential. Caregiver resilience is not just about surviving; it’s about finding strength in vulnerability, joy in the midst of sorrow, and courage in the face of adversity. When my husband passed away from cancer, I attended a grief recoveryContinueContinue reading “Caregiver Resilience: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Build It”
How to Make Tough Decisions as a Spousal Caregiver
Knowing how to make tough decisions quickly and effectively is an essential skill every spousal caregiver needs. When you’re caring for your sick partner, you’re constantly making decisions. You are faced with everything from deciding what to tell friends and family about your spouse’s illness to choosing doctors or treatments to figuring out how toContinueContinue reading “How to Make Tough Decisions as a Spousal Caregiver”
“My Husband Has Cancer. I’m Scared.” How to Deal with Fear as a Spousal Caregiver
Whether you are new to caregiving or have been a spousal caregiver for a while, experiencing fear when your spouse has cancer is a normal part of the journey. Cancer and everything that go along with it can feel very frightening. The good news is that the more you understand your fear, what causes it,ContinueContinue reading ““My Husband Has Cancer. I’m Scared.” How to Deal with Fear as a Spousal Caregiver”
Cancer and Anger: How to Deal with Your Spouse’s Anger During Their Cancer Journey
One day in July, my husband scheduled a visit to the doctor to have his shoulder examined after he hurt it in a bad fall. That is when we discovered he had a cancerous tumor in his arm. It came as such a shock to both of us. Overnight, our lives turned upside down, andContinueContinue reading “Cancer and Anger: How to Deal with Your Spouse’s Anger During Their Cancer Journey”
“My Spouse Has Cancer and is Pushing Me Away”
“My spouse has cancer and is pushing me away.” This comes up frequently during coaching. Being pushed away by someone with cancer is a common occurrence, and you might feel like your spouse has become withdrawn when they are coping with a cancer diagnosis. Each person’s experience will be a little different. As my husband’sContinueContinue reading ““My Spouse Has Cancer and is Pushing Me Away””