The article explores the emotional turmoil cancer survivors face when learning of a close acquaintance's diagnosis. It reflects on survivor's guilt and the struggle to support others while coping with their own past experiences. The author, a psychotherapist, recalls their own feelings of anxiety and helplessness, emphasizing the importance of offering a compassionate presence. This is set against the backdrop of the ongoing challenges survivors face as they navigate their memories and emotions while trying to support new patients in their journeys.
"Cancer begins and ends with people. In the midst of scientific abstraction, it is sometimes possible to forget this one basic fact." -Siddhartha Mukherjee
Since hearing the news I've routinely found myself thinking about what it will be like when my colleague sits in the chemo chair for the first time.
As a psychotherapist working with my colleague in the field of wellness and resilience, I've tried to turn my insights into useful words of encouragement while knowing that that feeling helpless is part of the cancer journey.
My guess is that many cancer survivors have found themselves in a similar situation: having to support a new member of the cancer survivors club while struggling with memories tinged with a hint of survivor's guilt.
Collection
[
|
...
]