Introduction

I have thought about this for some time --- doing a blog about the caregiver for a cancer patient.

What is a caregiver? "A caregiver gives of oneself to assure that the person in need receives the necessary care to carry on his or her life safely and with dignity.
A caregiver sees to it that the basic needs of food, clothing, cleanliness and shelter are met by the person with need.
A caregiver must also know how to meet that person's emotional needs without becoming co-dependent.
A caregiver never loses sight of his/her own needs and understands that in order to care for a loved one, you must also care for yourself."

That is the definition of "caregiver" that I found from a website. While all that may be true, I want to share with you my feelings and my interpretation of being a caregiver of a cancer patient.

Let me introduce myself. I am Arnie's wife. Arnie was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007. At that time, he had surgery, radiation and chemo treatment. This year that nasty cancer has appeared again as metastasized colon cancer in his right lung. We are on a 3 week schedule, getting treatments at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois.

That is briefly where we are with this cancer and the treatments. I have gone through feelings which have included total fear - almost having a panic attack, to complete confidence that all is going to be just fine. I owe my feelings of confidence to the treatment approach from CTCA but mostly to God. I totally believe in the power of prayer and the total dependence on God. We have so much support from praying people which includes, friends and family. It is important to surround yourself with positive people and to keep in touch with them often.

I will try to write on a daily basis and share my thoughts as we travel through this journey. I welcome your comments. My intention is to help even one person who is facing what I am facing, to get through it easier and to know that what you are feeling is okay.