ABSTRACT

This book is an accessible, sensitive, and evidence-based resource for partners, parents, and other family members navigating the heartache and challenges of caring for a young adult with cancer.

When a young person you love is diagnosed with cancer, the impacts on partners and parents is life-altering. In this book, Anne Katz offers her unique perspective as a counselor to help family members as their child or partner goes through diagnosis, treatment, and the years of survivorship. Interweaving clinical practice with evidence-based tips and interventions, each chapter presents the story of a young person with cancer and how the illness impacts those that love them with Dr. Katz providing gentle, targeted advice throughout. The chapters include individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as people across different ages, gender identities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, as well as reflective questions, with topics covering treatment decision-making, how to care during treatment, letting go, and a resource section pointing readers to where they can seek help.

Written by a leading voice in the field of cancer, the stories and advice provided in this book will help all families and partners apply the lessons learnt to their lived experiences. It will be also of interest to health care providers working with these families, such as clinical social workers and nurses.

chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|13 pages

The Diagnosis

“Our World Has Turned Upside Down”

chapter 3|13 pages

Treatment Decision-Making

“How Can We Help”?

chapter 4|16 pages

Caring during Treatment

“I've Never Seen Anyone So Sick; I Feel Helpless”

chapter 5|15 pages

Living with Cancer

“Who Can Help Us at This Time”?

chapter 6|13 pages

The Aftermath

“I Want to Have a Normal a Life”!

chapter 7|13 pages

The Unspeakable

“It's Too Soon for Him to Leave Us”

chapter 8|13 pages

Key Tasks for Adolescents

“I'm Not a Baby! Why Can't They Let Me Be Me”?

chapter 9|15 pages

Key Tasks for Young Adults

“I Need to Make My Own Way and Create My Own Family”

chapter 10|18 pages

Where to Find Help

“Who and What Can We Trust”?