my partner has been diagnosed with rectal cancer stage 3-4, which has spread into some of her lymph nodes.

Hi, I’m new to the forum, my partner had been diagnosed with rectal cancer stage 3-4, which has spread into some of her lymph nodes.

She has her pre-op tomorrow prior to having a stoma bag fitted, after which she will undergo five and a half weeks of radiotherapy & also chemotherapy.

I fully appreciate that she feels that no matter how many family members & friends she has supporting her, it still feels a terribly lonely journey.

However I feel so inadequate in supporting her and being the buffer for all her expressions of anger and frustration.

Is this a common feeling amongst spouses of cancer sufferers and if so what is the coping mechanism for this?

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  • Ahhh, the anger and frustrations. I've been there and completely and utterly get where you are coming from. When faced with this, it's very difficult to see any light and the end of that very dark tunnel. I struggled, and struggled badly with not only the diagnosis my wife had received, but also from her mood swings. I learned the reasons were multifaceted, and not down to one thing. The drugs she is on can cause horrendous mood swings as can the shock of being faced by your own mortality. A cancer diagnosis can change anyone. Never take it personally because even though, it's difficult not to at time, it really isn't down to anything you have done or said. My wife was an absolute nightmare the 3 days after each chemo because the steroids made it so. During those 3 days, i went for walks. If you are struggling, you need to remove yourself from that situation because it's all too easy to say something very regrettable in the heat of the moment. Yeah, walking was my outlet.

    As for feeling inadequate supporting her. Too many people overthink this part, i did too. You can't control anything, you can't make her illness go away, so don't try to be superman. You often see "how can I help my wife/husband/friend" posts the internet over, and seriously, the best help you can give your wife is to simply listen to her and she will tell you if she needs anything. I was so overbearing in my need to help my wife in the beginning that all i achieved was annoying her, and truth be told, i began to annoy myself. Accept you can do nothing unless she asks, and you'll shift a weight from your shoulders. The more you're in her face, the more she will retreat and less likely she will ask you for help. JUST LISTEN TO HER. It's the best advice i was ever given. Don't be the overbearing husband. You won't win that battle and it's wasted energy.

    I think you need to talk to someone too. You sound almost defeated and barely keeping your head above the water. If you have a Maggies, they have drop in centres that both patients and carers can use. There you will meet people that have been in your position. But before you can look after your wife, you need to look after yourself. You matter too.

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  • Ahhh, the anger and frustrations. I've been there and completely and utterly get where you are coming from. When faced with this, it's very difficult to see any light and the end of that very dark tunnel. I struggled, and struggled badly with not only the diagnosis my wife had received, but also from her mood swings. I learned the reasons were multifaceted, and not down to one thing. The drugs she is on can cause horrendous mood swings as can the shock of being faced by your own mortality. A cancer diagnosis can change anyone. Never take it personally because even though, it's difficult not to at time, it really isn't down to anything you have done or said. My wife was an absolute nightmare the 3 days after each chemo because the steroids made it so. During those 3 days, i went for walks. If you are struggling, you need to remove yourself from that situation because it's all too easy to say something very regrettable in the heat of the moment. Yeah, walking was my outlet.

    As for feeling inadequate supporting her. Too many people overthink this part, i did too. You can't control anything, you can't make her illness go away, so don't try to be superman. You often see "how can I help my wife/husband/friend" posts the internet over, and seriously, the best help you can give your wife is to simply listen to her and she will tell you if she needs anything. I was so overbearing in my need to help my wife in the beginning that all i achieved was annoying her, and truth be told, i began to annoy myself. Accept you can do nothing unless she asks, and you'll shift a weight from your shoulders. The more you're in her face, the more she will retreat and less likely she will ask you for help. JUST LISTEN TO HER. It's the best advice i was ever given. Don't be the overbearing husband. You won't win that battle and it's wasted energy.

    I think you need to talk to someone too. You sound almost defeated and barely keeping your head above the water. If you have a Maggies, they have drop in centres that both patients and carers can use. There you will meet people that have been in your position. But before you can look after your wife, you need to look after yourself. You matter too.

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