Hi BobH,
My wife was diagnosed with cancer late 2009, she had been retired for 1 year, retiring at the age of 55.
The news is devastating, that moment when you are told, the world goes from one of colour to one of grey and dark. I have heard the saying that life is a journey, I felt that my wife and I had gone to sleep one night, and somehow had switched tracks from one of sunshine to one of brambles, prickles and undergrowth that was difficult to get through. How the hell did we end up here ?, here I used to think.
But you are not alone BobH. This site is a good supportive site with people going through what your family are going through.
Contact the Cancer Council for more support for you and your family, they offer a range of practical and emotional support in the form of counselling
When you go to see the health professionals take a note book and pen, you and your wife will not be able to remember everything you are told, so write it down, names of treatment, medication, get handouts, become involved in your wifes treatment, learn the side effects ( if any ) and put in place anything you can to lessen them,gentle reflexology is calming.Work as part of the team looking after your wife. Understand that your wife may get tired from the treatment, learn to cook, if you cannot already, do the washing, housework,pay the bills on time, etc. I gave up my part time jobs to look after my wife, but our kids had already left home so, it was probably easier.
Above all be supportive, and be there for her, she does not deserve this, nobody does. Be strong
I wish your family well.
wombat4
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