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Practice Self-Care
Certainly being the person with the cancer diagnosis is an unenviable position. As the person supporting your loved one, you are at risk for higher levels of stress as well, since the strong emotions of the situation can wear off on you.
Caregivers frequently struggle with issues of increased depression and anxiety, so it will be imperative to practice appropriate self-care. One way to accomplish this is by finding a balance between your needs and those of your loved one.
If you devote all of your energy to others, there will be none left for you. Chronic stress can lead to burnout, which leads to an inability to care for yourself or your loved one very well. To avoid this, be sure to tend to your own needs and wants to better aid your loved one.
Many people who have had a mastectomy choose to have breast cancer reconstruction surgery done as well. Read on to learn more about this procedure.
