Elderly Care: Helping You Deal With the Dying Process

Elderly Care: Helping You Deal With the Dying Process

Caring For Your Teen With Ovarian Cancer: What You Should Know

Julio Carr

As the mother of a teenage daughter, you have a myriad of issues you worry about on a daily basis. From her grades and academic standing to preventing her from becoming another of the many teen moms pervading pop culture, you have your hands full. However, what you never expected was for your teenage daughter to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. When this happens, you find yourself at a loss. You do not know what to say or do to help her through this difficult time. However, there are many steps you can take to help your daughter through her ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. So, learn the necessary steps, and be strong for your beloved daughter.

Prepare Your Child For Treatment

When it comes to ovarian cancer, the standard treatment almost always involves a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Depending on the extent of your daughter's cancer and how far it has spread, this surgical procedure could be the removal of only one ovary and fallopian tube.

However, if the cancer has spread, your teenage daughter may be facing a full hysterectomy in addition to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Whatever the case may be, you will want to have a frank and upfront conversation about what treatment will entail and the long-term ramifications of treatment. 

Particularly if your daughter will have to undergo a surgery that will sterilize her, you will need to take extra care in your discussion with her. Upon realizing she cannot bear children, your daughter may be highly distraught and emotional.

Allow her to express her feelings, but also emphasize the importance of treatment to protect her life. When she is ready to hear it, let her know that there are alternative ways to be a mother if that is her wish in the future. But, if at all possible, keep the focus on her health and her needs. 

Take Care Of Yourself As Well As Your Daughter

When you daughter is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your natural parental instinct is to devote all of your time and energy to her care and well-being. However, this can actually make you a less effective caregiver in the long-run. 

Battling cancer is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you burn yourself out early on, sacrificing all of the emotional and physical energy you have to give, you will be left drained and depressed later on. So, while it may be difficult for you, remember to take care of yourself as well.

Great ways to take a moment for yourself include yoga or meditation classes, massage therapy, or even a visit to the chiropractor. Anything that can help you relax, clear your mind, and boost your energy will help you to be a better caregiver for your daughter. 

Don't Go It Alone

While you may feel like the responsibility of caring for your daughter is your's alone, you can and should seek out the support of other family members and friends as your daughter fights her ovarian cancer. Your child needs to feel that they have a team of people around them who care and support them.

And, just as importantly, you need a support system. While getting to know your child's oncology team and doctors will help you to understand the treatments ahead, this bond does not compare to that of your family and close friends. So, do not be scared to talk to your family and ask them to be by your side through this fight. 

Caring for your teenage daughter with ovarian cancer will never be an easy task. However, you can make it a more manageable and successfully completed task if you follow these simple guidelines. Your daughter needs you to be strong for her, so be sure to keep these tips in mind and take care of both yourself and your child in the weeks and months ahead. Be sure to seek counsel from a professional like Sturdy Memorial Hospital.


Share

2024© Elderly Care: Helping You Deal With the Dying Process
About Me
Elderly Care: Helping You Deal With the Dying Process

As an elderly care worker, I have witnessed the deaths of many individuals. I have seen family members become angry, sad, and completely silent at the end. I have also seen individuals refuse to see family members out of denial. People deal with death in different ways, and the strong emotions are often unfamiliar and scary. If you have a parent or grandparent who is elderly, then I want to share with you what I know about end of life care and dying process. We are a society that does not talk about death, and this can cause great pain when a family member dies. Learn about the process and find out how to deal with your own emotions and how to love your family members at the end. If there is only a small amount of time left, then I want you to cherish the final moments.

Tags