99 RELATIONSHIPS /// CHAPTER 63 Parents Parents - sometimes they drive you nuts, sometimes they are your best friends. Add the stresses and challenges of cancer and that relationship is really put to the test. Your cancer diagnosis can be just as overwhelming for your parents as it is for you. They are dealing with a whole heap of stuff, including: » Shock, fear, anger and disbelief at your cancer diagnosis. » Worried about you and the rest of your family. » Helpless as they can't fix this for you or make it go away. » Overprotective of you and trying to shield you from the bad news and harsh realities. » Distracted and not focusing on the normal things. » Tired, stressed, and short-tempered from thinking about everyone else all the time. » Trying to hide their feelings and putting on a brave face for you. » Worried about medical bills and whether they can get time off work to look after you and your siblings. » Isolated and lonely. Their friends might not know how to cope and avoid them. They might feel that no one else understands what they are going through.https://fwaya.org/