Being a caregiver for a cancer patient is one of the toughest jobs you could have.  There is so much physical and emotional care and it can be challenging to manage at times. 

Here at Christmas Without Cancer, we’ve identified our TOP 4 CAREGIVER SURVIVAL TIPS while caring for a loved one with cancer.

1. SET TIME FOR YOURSELF

Allow time for yourself without the guilt!  Need a nap?  To go for a walk?  A couple days off?  It is more than okay…we actually encourage it!  Ask friends and family to pitch in so that you can have time for you.  Everyone needs their own space and time to be just them.

2. STAY CONNECTED

Don’t isolate yourself to just you and the patient.  Stay connected to the world outside of chemo, dr appointments, pharmacy runs, etc.  Keeping in touch with coworkers, family members, and friends will help keep your mental health in a better place.  Without outside connections, cancer will consume every bit of your mental state.

3.  PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH 

While taking care of someone else, don’t forget to take care of yourself!  You can not properly take care of your loved one if you are not in your best health.  Maintain a balanced lifestyle by incorporating healthy foods, exercise, and plenty of rest. 

4.  HAVE A SCHEDULE 

Create a schedule to share with the patient so that you are both on the same page. While we know it isn’t always easy and things come up, we recommend keeping each week as consistent as possible. This will provide some normalcy and allow a better balance for you both.

Being a caregiver for someone battling cancer isn’t easy, so give yourself some grace because you are likely doing a better job than you think! 

Thanks for reading along. Stay tuned for our next blog.

With Love,

The Christmas Without Cancer Team