Lions and family

How do you deal when a family member is suffering? Sometimes I feel like I've licked a wound far too much and have found myself incapable of taking care of myself once I've devoted everything to helping that family member.

I'm trying to catch myself before that point because I don't want to suddenly become incapacitated during this period of time. A close family member received a heartbreaking diagnosis and treatment will be long and expensive. I want to help her through that marathon instead of sprinting and soon leaving her to travel alone.

I find much of this comes from my Lioness nature.. I burn myself out and can't deliver as selflessly as I set my heart to.

Lions.. reflections?

hiya. i just want to offer perspective as someone being the sick party with a very close leo gf and her behaviour at that time. at the point of diagnosis, she was tops....couldn't do enough to help, mostly on a practical level which was what i needed. but then she kinda burned herself out...not at my requests but cos of her own sense of wanting to help...and i felt a bit like i was left high and dry to be honest. my cancerian friend stepped in and took the baton and was consistent throughout but my leo friend, who is still a very dear friend, kind of left me in the lurch.

i understand the reasons though cos i know she is physically affected by stressful things. her pisces boyfriend died in a terrible car crash a few years back and it took my and the cancerian months to pull her out of the terrible place she was in inside her head and it was hard to see her deteriorate physically. a weak lioness is very distressing...specially for us water signs cos we look to you as role models of strong women and admire your courage.

i don't know if it's true for you sheathed but this woman always has a completely snap-back recovery. when she's done with 'suffering'...she's like a jack-in-a-box. so maybe, if you're like that, you could meter out your help and you'll sustain your energies for longer. remember there are others who no doubt want to help too and so you mustn't feel like you're letting her down by not being there for her as much as YOU want to be. i'm pretty sure every ounce of assistance you give at this time will be treasured forever 🙂

I'm not attracted to sad/destructive things - I do know where you're coming from, however. Actually everything for me is going beautiful and I'm happy - now being out of depression (officially), completely tapered off that damn SSRI, working for a local company with a physical but gratifying job, and going back to clinical soon!

I'm genuinely thrown for a loop.. my Aunt was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer yesterday. She's quite poor financially without the medical bills, doesn't drive or work, and has already had a hysterectomy. She's one of the few family members I have on my fathers side.. and one of the three non-addicts on that side.

After posting this, I reached out to her.. and she does feel much more secure knowing she'll have transportation to chemotherapy. I do plan on preparing large and freezable meals for this time since they should reserve their energy on the fight rather than putting together nutrition.

I'm just hoping she doesn't trip up once in faith or mental health during this.. because I know that for cancer patients that is critical.

Maybe I posted this to sort out my feelings in my head and silently.. rather than bestow them to those around me. I apologize if this makes little sense.

I did tell her that I expect her to participate in the next Relay for Life fundraiser with me (its an overnight fundraiser for Cancer care and research - I participate for my Grandfather and soon my Aunt, too). I added that I expect her to walk the first lap.. which is reserved exclusively for survivors.

...Oh hell, maybe I'm stronger than I thought in this instance while the news just tossed me off course..

well, when you're dealing with cancer it's the practical things that are of most importance and it shows you know how to really help her in that situation.....which i'm very sorry for btw.

when i was diagnosed, my leo auntie sent me a get well card with ??20 inside towards cos of fuel getting me to and from treatment - a 3 hour return drive over a 4 month period, lol. even funnier was the fact that i could tell the envelope had been sealed and re-opened before sealing again and so she probably just chucked the ??20 note in there as an afterthought LOL.

mind you...she's a yiddish lion...i think the jew gene overrides most astrological characteristics.

surprised she didn't send me chickensoup!!

*cost*

I found this article today.. while it is meant for those who have 'lost', I found it very helpful to read.

click here