Cancer Lives At Our House: help for the family

The Story

Cancer. When a diagnosis is first made, the victim and his or her loved ones are seized with panic and dread. But while the cancer patient is upheld emotionally and spiritually by card, gifts, visits, and hugs, the family members are often overlooked. Bea Hoek remembers how her battle with cancer took a toll on her husband and children. 'In some ways a cancer patient's family has a more difficult struggle, ' she writes. 'The patient is 'allowed' to express troublesome feelings like fear, despair, and grief, whereas the family feels the heavy burden of keeping a positive attitude, being 'brave' and encouraging.'