When someone you care about has cancer, everything changes. Everything. How do you make sense of what's happening? How do you help them to get well?
You may feel it’s selfish to also consider your own emotions and look after yourself, but in fact it’s the most important thing you can do (I explore this in depth in my book Their Cancer – Your Journey). I hope these books will be a help to you.
by Lori Hope
This book gives great insight into how your attitude and the way you communicate can have a positive effect on your loved one's cancer experience.
by Deborah Sills, Lois M. Ramondetta
This is a story of the friendship between a cancer patient and her doctor, who met only because Deborah had cancer. Because it had both points of view, I found it very helpful in giving insights into the feelings of someone with a severe illness. Please be aware that Deborah dies before the end of the book, though even in loss there are messages of hope.
by Sandy Grason
When you have strong emotions, as is natural when someone you care about is ill, how do you handle them? It may be difficult to find someone to talk to as others around you can also be upset. Keeping a journal allows you to express those difficult emotions, and look at where you do want your life to go. This book is a great guide to get you started.
by Felicity Warner
If someone in your family is approaching the end of their life, they may want to explore what this means to them. This book will help family members find the courage to do this with them and to create the kind of peaceful death we would all want. A comforting companion for facing the greatest challenge we can imagine, this book covers the spiritual aspects and therapies of a cancer battle covered in depth.
by Jack Canfield, Hale Dwoskin
This book describes the simplest and most effective way for letting go of difficult emotions in the moment. Having the ability to do this can lessen the likelihood that you will "snap" under any stress you're experiencing and say or do something you later regret!
by Hugh Marriott, illustrated by David Lock
If you find yourself becoming a full-time caregiver, or your life significantly impacted by caring, please read this book. As the humorous title suggests, you are not selfish and the author will describe many issues and situations which seem oh so familiar.
by Audrey Jenkinson
Whether you're a current or past caregiver, you can find a lot of insight in these pages. Many caregivers describe their experiences and challenges, and the author offers advice and insight on how to overcome those challenges.
by William P. Young
Opinion is divided on this book, which is a fictional account exploring how God can allow suffering. I found it a very enlightening read. Cancer is not directly addressed in the book, but it could give insight to anyone who is questioning their faith as a result of illness in the family.
by Dave Balch
This memoir of a husband’s experience of supporting his wife through breast cancer is interwoven with chapters giving skills for coping. I found it to have sound principals throughout.
by Alaric Lewis, illustrated by R. W. Alley
Are young children involved? This book will help you explain how they might feel when someone in their family has cancer -– and how to cope with those feelings.
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. more...
About Anne Orchard
Anne Orchard knows what it is like to support a loved one with cancer. Following her mother’s early death in 1991, she embarked on her own emotional journey and came to a place of peace. She now runs Families Facing Cancer to offer strength to others suffering the stress of supporting someone with cancer. She also writes on cancer and caregiver related issues on her blog Life in the Cancer Fallout Zone.
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