Handling the Tension of Cancer in the Family

Listening Tools have been so helpful for us.
Photo (c) Michelle Dennis 2008

My husband is being treated for a life-threatening form of cancer. Fortunately, his prognosis is good, but he’s had major surgery, and is now going through months of chemotherapy. Life has not been easy.

Listening Tools have been so helpful for us. For instance, the other night, our daughter blew up when it was time to go to bed. I heard her yelling at her Dad, “You are the worst Daddy! I hate you!”  I realized that she was mad, just as I am “mad” that he is sick.

We have been open about the cancer and his prognosis. She just needed a good cry, and I went to her and we had a good Staylistening session. Later I talked to my husband about it, and we decided they needed some really good Special Time together. The next day, my husband and daughter spent the day together, working around the house, going to the movies, just the two of them. He said that at the movies she held on to him the whole time.

It really helped.

Thank you again for all the help you and Hand in Hand are to us in our everyday lives.

–a mother in rural Northern California

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