My big brother

My brother was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday. Hadn't really been ill for long everything just seems to have happened so quickly. Leukemia was the last diagnosis anyone expected. He was take. Straight to hospital and has started chemo as he has quite a rapid form of it. I just need advice really on how to be supportive. What can I do? I have struggled to keep my emotions in and feel like screaming , but feel guilty as he is the one who is dealing with it. I just want to be able to help him. 

  • Hi Little sis,

     

    Welcome to the forum - I hope you find the advice and support that you need.

    Your feelings are pretty normal - our friends and relatives are knocked sideways by the news and people under estimate the effects that the news has on others. 

    Look after yourself, find somewhere to vent your feelings of anger and frustration, cry if you feel the need. Try not to hide your feelings from your brother be honest but also be as positive as you can for him.

    Ask him if there's anything he'd lke you to do for him. On the practical side, when I was on chemo I got a lot of use out of my Kindle but found it difficult to get a signal in the hospital. If he has one, ask him if he'd like you to download anything for him. Boredom is a major problem - anything you can do to alleviate that and take his mind off things will be welcome.

    My chemo sessions provided a great excuse to indulge in chocolate and milk shakes but my taste buds were all over the place and some things that I normally like were horrid. His doctors will probably advise him to eat anything he can to keep his strength up. Indulge him, if you can.

    I hope this helps!
    Dave