10 tips for carers
The Fight Bladder Cancer private forum is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a safe space for everyone who is affected by bladder cancer, not just patients. Anyone who has someone with bladder cancer in their life is welcome to join.
On the forum, you will find over 5,000 other people who have been affected by bladder cancer. People share their triumphs and challenges, their small joys and daily frustrations. It is a wonderful way to connect with other carers and a wealth of knowledge for any questions you may have, large or small.
If you are at the beginning of your caring journey, here are 10 tips, shared by patients and their families, that you may find useful:
1. Help in any way you can – sometimes the small gestures mean more than you think.
2. Find something you love doing and do it for yourself.
3. Take some time out. You need your own time and space to deal with what’s happening.
4. Find the right way to communicate that suits both of you.
5. Tackle any guilt you feel head on. This is not your fault.
6. Find someone to talk to about your feelings. You don’t have to be alone.
7. Eat, rest and sleep – you need all the energy you can muster.
8. Be very wary of ‘Dr Google’; he can easily lead you to worst case scenarios which may not be relevant.
9. Cultivate a good relationship with the CNS or medical team; they are there to help you.
10. Join the FBC forum where you can feel supported and support others as you tackle these life-changing circumstances.
If someone you love has bladder cancer, then the Fight Bladder Cancer forum is for you. Join us at: facebook.com/groups/bladdercanceruk
Previously shared in Fight 11: https://fightbladdercancer.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/Fight_Mag...
