Home → Day-to-Day Matters → Talking to Your Family and Friends About Breast Cancer → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Family, Friends, Relationships → February 2007: Partners, Loved Ones, Caregivers: Taking Care of You → Child overwhelmed with caregiver role?

Child overwhelmed with caregiver role?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008

Question from madison: My mom just had surgery and is going through chemo for her breast cancer. I'm taking care of her and the house and stuff, but between that and school (I'm a senior in high school) I am completely overwhelmed and cry all the time, but my mom has told me that she needs me to be strong for her. How do I get her to understand how hard this is for me?: Answer —Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W.: It's perfectly okay for you to let your mom know that you're very concerned and you love her. Perhaps you could find additional help. Are there other relatives, friends or neighbors who could help with some of the chores? Patients often have more support and when they do they feel good about it. During the chemotherapy, there may be many days when Mom feels okay and maybe it would be good for her to see that she's well enough and strong enough to do some light chores on her own.

On Wednesday, February 21, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Partners, Loved Ones, Caregivers: Taking Care of You. Author Marc Silver and moderator Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. answered your questions about how you can take care of your loved one and yourself during and after breast cancer treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Visit our Gift Shop!

Shop Now »

Meet the Experts

Marc Silver is the author of Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (And Yourself) Through Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond.

Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. is administrative supervisor for psychosocial programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Lauder Breast Center in New York City, where she leads weekly support groups for women with early and advanced breast cancer.