Wife has ovarian cancer, Mom has chronic pancreatitus and cihhrosis of the liver and I'm an only chi

knarrman

Hi,

My name is Brian. It's my first time on these boards. I'm an only child. My wife and I have 3 children together. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on 10/17/08, and it was staged at 1c on 11/4/08.
Right after that my mother fell ill. After many visits to the Doctors and ER's at 2 different hospitals she is, for now, diagnosed with chronic pancreatitus and cihrosis of the liver. She had been an alcoholic for my early years in life, up until before my son was born.
Just looking for others that are in a similar situation. My mother-in-law has been staying with us so I can be at the hospital with my wife. She has been a TREMENDOUS blessing, and I can't thank her enough.
Anyone dealing with the same or similar situation, I would love to hear how you cope. Other than, "pray" which we both do daily, and "keep your spirits high, don't let the situation bring you down.

zahalene

Too much all at once
My situation was in caring for both my parents who each had debilitating issues (not cancer).
You are obviously overwhelmed, as anyone would be. The reasonable thing, it seems to me, is to begin at the core of the 'available help' pool and work your way out into the system. You have already begun this by enlisting your mother-in-law (God bless 'em). The next step might be to look for other relatives who can pitch in at various times or with specific jobs or chores. Then you move to other support options such as friends, church family (if that applies), then on to some type of professional help, such as home health care or hospice if the medical needs of anyone becomes unmanageable by 'lay people'.
Of course we all want to care for or be cared for by the one(s) closest to us, but reality is what it is. And if you become so over burdened that you can no longer be of practical assistance to your loved ones, what then?
Best to look for ways to lighten your load now while you can. God bless.