Patience encouraged in cancer caregivers
“The most important thing about being a caregiver is patience because the patients can't help what is happening to them especially with chemotherapy,” he said.
“If you are a caregiver, please don’t try to do it solo, get help, ask questions and try everything you can to help the person you are giving care to”.
This was the message from Herman Kleynhans, a caregiver to his wife Charmaine, who had Stage 2 breast cancer. He shared the journey of a caregiver during the Chatroom gathering at the NG Kerk Constantiakruin on 6 October.
Herman emphasised the importance of a support group as information relating to cancer can be forthcoming. “Information on how to help and treat a cancer patient is very difficult to find unless you have a support group. We learned by trial and error what works and what does not,” he said as he reflected on his family’s experience.
“The Cansa WhatsApp chat group helped a lot in this aspect with advice on new symptoms and problems we encountered,” he said.
He added that patience goes a long way in a caregiver. “The most important thing about being a caregiver is patience, because the patients can’t help what is happening to them, especially with chemotherapy.”
“So be patient and try to understand what is happening to them better,” Herman encouraged.
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