30 cancer fighters thrive | spring 2014
cf thrive. com
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
A
cancer diagnosis brings physi-
cal and emotional challenges,
requiring both excellent medi-
cal care and a strong personal
support system. When a couple chooses
to divorce or separate during this time,
managing the personal loss can present
another hurdle. As diff icult as this can
be, there are strategies that can help
you cope.
Why Now?
It can be tempting to blame a separation
or divorce on cancer, but most experts
agree that it is far more likely that the
stressors related to the disease simply
highlight weak areas that already exist
within a relationship.
CANCER and DIVORCE
Managing the dual challenges of cancer and the end of a relationship By Nancy Christie
The intensity of emotional and physical
stress during this time magnifes patterns
of behavior within relationships, as cou-
ples confront changing roles and respon-
sibilities. The caregiver may need to step
up to take over tasks that the patient
previously handled, which can be a dif-
fcult transition; both partners will need
to learn to manage and express feelings
of fear, resentment, anger, anxiety and
grief that arise; and fnancial stressors
may develop, especially if the patient is
unable to work or if outside help must be
brought in to handle household or child-
care tasks. How a couple relates and sup-
ports one another—or does not—as they
navigate these various factors will have an
impact on their relationship.
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