When your partner is the patient Some relationships get stronger during cancer treatment, while others can become strained. But it is almost certain that you will feel more stress in the relationship than usual. After a cancer diagnosis, patients and their spouse or partner often feel stressed about: l N ot knowing how to best support each other l Making decisions l Changing roles l F iguring out how to communicate — especially about hard topics l Issues with the relationship and sex l C aring for children l D ealing with new emotions l Financial burdens Tips for caring for different loved ones
Here are some tips for nurturing your relationship:
Become a team Become a team when it comes to decision- making. Discuss which decisions you should make as a couple and which decisions each of you could make alone. How can you help each other? Make dates Getting through the daily grind can feel like a never-ending cycle. Set aside time for each other each day, even just eating together or watching a movie.
Find ways to say “thanks” It may be hard to notice the small things your partner is doing each day. Try to look for these things and thank your partner for doing them. Little moments of gratitude can add up! Find ways to be intimate Sex might not feel like a priority right now, but think about the emotional and physical value of remaining intimate with your partner. Redefine what intimacy means to you — it might look different than sex. Talk about it with your partner. Make space for each other as a couple.
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