P6,7,8 Industry News:Layout 1 28/09/2021 10:05 Page 8 EICUpdate Giving you the tools to deal with a cancer diagnosis.
Dealing with a diagnosis of cancer can be really tough especially when you are not sure on how best to support your loved one who is living with cancer. You may feel guilty for being upset, angry, numb and you may even feel resentful. While it is important to support our loved ones, who are living with cancer, it is also important to support ourselves and process our own emotions.
D
an, a nuclear engineer from Cumbria, approached the Electrical Industries Charity aſter his wife, Emily, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Since his wife was
diagnosed with breast cancer six weeks earlier Dan had been struggling to come to terms with her diagnosis. Emily had been the emotional and physical support structure of their family. Emily organised play dates, dinners, birthday cards, doctor’s appointments and ran a successful baby clothing website and brand. Dan was struggling to understand how Emily, a 32-year-old, had developed cancer and now had a 70% chance of survival. Dan felt resentful at the world, guilty that he as a smoker was completely healthy, and he was incredibly anxious about Emily’s health and the wellbeing of their children. The Electrical Industries Charity support team spoke to Dan and encouraged him to acknowledge his feelings and process them. The Charity offered Dan talking therapy and extended the offer to Emily also. Dan wanted to take part in talking therapy but was conscious about the time this may take away from caring for Emily, his children and work. The Electrical Industries Charity liaised with his workplace so Dan could take time in his workday for therapy sessions.
Page 2 The Charity sourced and funded
talking therapy sessions for Dan so he could offload his feelings in a safe space. Dan undertook six sessions of funded therapy which helped him to process his feelings and understand how to cope when he experienced different emotions during Emily’s cancer journey. Dan’s charity support worker also signposted him to MacMillan cancer
support charity with whom the Electrical Industries Charity have been partnered with since 2018. Emily underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat her breast
cancer. Despite best efforts the cancer was not completely eradicated, and Emily then made the difficult decision to have another round of chemotherapy and a mastectomy. Seven months post mastectomy Emily’s cancer has not returned, and doctors are hopeful Emily continues with a clean bill of health.
The Electrical Industries Charity can support you and your family through the Employee and Family Programme for the electrical and energy sector. If you need assistance, please contact
support@electricalcharity.org or 0800 652 1618
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