What does support really mean?
Breast cancer patients may rely on different support systems on each leg of the journey.
Whether it is material or functional support like transportation, or forms of emotional support, our interviewees cited the help of others as vital in their recovery.
Whether it is material or functional support like transportation, or forms of emotional support, our interviewees cited the help of others as vital in their recovery.
ILLNESS EXPERIENCES
How do support systems and autonomy, or lack thereof, affect cancer experiences?
CarlaBut God had a plan. Carla's faith in God and in her church were crucial in her illness journey. She felt that her Lord would carry her through spiritually, while her congregation would support her on the Earth. Nobody even knew anything was wrong. Only her husband and church knew the extent of her illness; she relied on very few people for support. She did not want to be a burden.
HalinaI am thankful for my husband's support. Halina and her husband made a carefully calculated decision to chose alternative medicine as the means of treating her triple negative breast cancer. Without her husband's loyalty and help in researching CAMs, Halina disclosed that it would have been nearly impossible to embark on this lifestyle change alone.
The knowledge changed my life. After meeting with her oncologist, Halina went to her friend and nutritionist for supplements to take during chemotherapy. Her nutritionist urged Halina to think carefully before agreeing to chemotherapy and recommended for her to read Knockout by Suzanne Somers.
Halina heeded her advice, swiftly read the book, did not go through with chemotherapy; thanks to her knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine in breast cancer, Halina is now cancer-free as of April 2019. |
MeganI wanted to do it myself. Megan felt supported by those she loved but wanted to work through her illness alone. She felt that she was strongest on her own and it allowed her to heal at her own pace.
I hated the cancer call Megan hated when she would get calls from people she hadn't spoken to in years just because she has cancer. She didn't like getting help because she was sick. While she had strong support from her loved ones she wanted to experience her illness on her own.
I hated my first oncologist Megan did not get along with her first doctor because she felt she was cold and unwilling to help ease her mind. She found the most comfort, real answers, and support by online breast cancer groups where real women answer your questions and help you work through this challenging time.
CHRISTINEThey were willing to listen. Christine felt supported by her oncologist and their willingness to listen even if it wasn't about her illness.
My family helped me through it. Christine had the loving support of her husband and kids and their support is what got her through it. She said she also felt a lot of love from everyone around her and at first she didn't feel like she needed it she learned to accept it and say thank you.
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