What Caregivers Can Do to Care for Themselves

One of the most important things mesothelioma cancer caregivers can do — but often forget —is to take care of themselves. The reasoning is simple: The better you feel; the better care you will provide.

Caring for a loved one with mesothelioma can be a richly rewarding experience. But it also can be a daunting responsibility that overwhelms a caregiver over time.

Caregiving, for most people, is not a planned role. It comes by chance, usually because of a family member’s misfortune. It is taken as an act of love or devotion, yet it still can be emotionally and physically draining.

Don’t let that happen — or everyone loses.

“Sometimes, I think caregivers are the forgotten casualty in [a diagnosis of mesothelioma],” said Linda Chitwood of Virginia, who has been her husband’s caregiver for nine years. “Caregiving can be terribly isolating if you’re not careful.”

Chitwood offers her experiences and advice in a book she has written, “Fear 2 Faith: Our Journey Through Mesothelioma.” She shares heartwarming and heartbreaking stories. One of things she emphasizes for caregivers is to not lose their own lives while caring for a loved one.

“It may sound selfish, but you have to take care of yourself, too. If you don’t, it’s hard to be a good caregiver,” she said. “It’s like the pilots say on the commercial flights: When the oxygen masks drop down, put your own on first, then tend to your loved ones.”

As a caregiver, you may be remembering treatments and medications, dealing with medical and legal professionals, managing financial affairs and doctor appointments. You will be providing emotional support and health monitoring.

You may be helping with everyday chores, and at some point, feeding and bathing the patient might be on your to-do list.

Trying to maintain your own life may be difficult, but it is important. To improve patient care, there are some things to remember as a caregiver:

·      Ask for help. Let other family members and friends give you time away to recharge. Too often a caregiver or spouse tries to do everything, and it becomes overwhelming. Do not try to do it alone.

·      Join a support group. Especially with a rare disease, it is hard to find answers to questions you will have. Talking to others dealing with the same issues can be very helpful. The Mesothelioma Center has a national support group that meets by phone each month.

·      Talk to professionals. Caregivers don’t typically have medical or nursing degrees, so talk to people that do. It will help with managing symptoms, pain and safety.

·      Take a walk every day.

·      Take good care of yourself, too, physically and mentally. Eat right, get your rest, and do not isolate yourself. Find the time to do it all.

Most people are ill-prepared for the role of caregiver, with both the emotional and physical strain, but they also are capable of adapting to the role. Dealing with an uncertain future can be difficult, but it also has its rewards in improving the quality of life for a loved one.

Mesothelioma starts with a diagnosis of the patient, but it soon engulfs a caregiver, who also must stay well.

Tm Povtak is a content writer for The Mesothelioma Center and Asbestos.com, an informational source for mesothelioma patients and families.