Conclusion
[Narrator]
Many other examples could be given to help you the caregiver find and receive the support and help you and your loved ones may need. It is impossible to include examples of each and every problem. But, the stories we just heard include helpful ideas and possible answers for some of the most common problems. We heard John's concerns about talking to his wife, Susan, about his feelings. He didn't want to be an added burden on her. He felt he had to shoulder all the responsibility. We also listened to Elena's search for information to help her and her husband, Salvador, find out what they should do when treatment was no longer stopping the cancer from growing. Sandra was a friend, a nurse, and the caregiver for Jean, who had no family nearby. Mary found that she had become so isolated while caring for her husband that she was dealing with her own problems of depression. Mei Ling's story pointed out the concerns of those caregivers who have many roles such as mother, employee, caregiver to her elderly parent, and now caregiver to her spouse. Brian's parents learned that they needed to know Brian's concerns better in order to do what's best for him. Katie found out that help was available to her - she just had to ask for it. And, Grace needed to know that she should advocate for herself to get what she and her husband needed. These are real people, possibly with some of the same concerns that you may have.
[Narrator]
All of the six skills - communicating, finding information, making decisions, solving problems, negotiating, and standing up for your rights - are described in the Cancer Survival Toolbox and can play a major role in dealing with problems that arise for caregivers. We hope that your use of these skills will help you maintain balance and quality in your life.
