Caregiver therapy??

I use an online therapist. You might check your health insurance to see who is in their network. Also, the professionals would need to be licensed to practice in your state. I highly recommend it. They will see what your situation is and find a therapist who might be the most appropriate. It helped me tremendously.

Good morning, @siobhan21 While I don't know of any specific therapist who specializes in this area, I will say I have found this community to be a great source of support -- and it's free 🙂

In the early years of my caregiving journey, the pressures, isolation, and demands of caregiving were so overwhelming to me, I was really in need of somewhere to talk about what real caregiving is like. That is why Connect started the caregiver groups to the Connect community. Now after almost ten years, I am still here and appreciating the sharing in this community.

It seemed every time I posted, I found someone who was a kindred spirit in they had or were experiencing the same things I was. It's been a wonderful help!

There's no guilting and lots of venting to release some of our tensions!

Strength, Courage, & Peace

When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, I reached out online to cancer organizations and my employee assistance program to find a list of counselors, in person or online. I hope you are able to find someone to work with and support you. A counselor may also be able to provide a list of dementia caregiver support groups. Best of luck on your journey. You are doing the right thing by reaching out for support…keep reaching out until you find your support. Take good care of yourself, so you can care for your parent.

Welcome to Connect, @mawhite68 I’m glad you were able to find a counselor to help with your husband’s cancer diagnosis. It can be so comforting to have a lifeline and someone to offer support when there is so much uncertainty.

Connect offers support to patients (and caregivers) with many different cancer stories. If you don’t mind sharing, what type of cancer does your husband have?

According to MSK, who we are working with, it’s some type of rare cancer, some type of sarcoma? We are awaiting additional testing, bigger/better biopsy, volumetrics…we are anxious for actual treatment and clear diagnosis. Thus, the need to reach out to a counselor, and support groups, such as this one. Knowing we are not alone is strengthening for me.

My sister was diagnosed with a very rare cancer and few years ago. (Leiomyosarcoma)

She attended a support group run by her cancer center and I attended the caregiver support group a few times. She found it very helpful, I did not. Her oncologist referred her to a counselor who specializes in care for cancer patients and that was helpful to her. I never thought to ask about a caregivers specialist but probably should have. The social worker in the oncologists office may be able to direct you. I found them to be very knowledgeable about resources.

My husband now suffers from dementia and my doctor referred me to a counselor. She doesn't specialize specifically in this area but is very capable of helping me through this.

I also found resources through the alzheimers association. (Alz.org) and wonder if the American Cancer Society might help.

I hope you find someone who can help. Caregiving can be lonely.

Good morning, @mawhite68. This is such an unsettling time for you and your husband. Not having a firm diagnosis really amps up the anxiety level because there’s no plan of action, doesn’t it? Wishing him well going forward and please let me know what you find out so I can Connect you with other members with a similar diagnosis. I know from experience what a comfort it is to not feel alone in a diagnosis!
Was your husband having unusual symptoms which led to the testing?

It truly is an anxious and unsettling place to be, and would be lost without support such as this site.
As for symptoms, energy level was the first and longest symptom. Convinced him to make an appointment with primary…at which point he had a respiratory infection, after that cleared, he complained of stomach issue, treated with Omeprazole, ultrasound found shadow, mri weeks later couldn’t rule out a mass… the symptoms started in October at home, MSK mid January and still no treatment plan. My husband’s attitude is not hopeful. We just need some action

Thanks for listening and letting me share my fears and frustrations.