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Supporting a Family Member With Cancer Right Now is So Hard

In: Grief » Cancer

2 Minute Read

By Amanda Crumrine

Kids doing video call from home — Image via Amanda Crumrine

When my mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma last fall, it was a blow to us all.

My mom has always been a rock, always strong, always on the go.

Because that’s what moms do.

Seeing her go through chemotherapy during Thanksgiving was hard.

Seeing her go through chemotherapy during Christmas was harder.

But the hardest has been her chemotherapy treatments during this pandemic.

How do we help our loved ones feel supported during the fight of their life while simultaneously weighing the possible consequences of showing that love?

RELATED: Dear Family, This is Going to Make Us Stronger Than Ever Before

When a visit could be deadly, a hug is off-limits, and a mask may not even be enough.

The very time at which my mom most needs to be surrounded by her grandchildren, she must settle for social media updates and Facebook videos.

Meals dropped off, phone calls, flowers, and gift cards seem shallow and inadequate in comparison to how my mom has cared for me.

RELATED: Stay Home For the Ones Who’d Give Anything To Hold Their Grandbabies

Thousands of Americans are fighting cancer with the added stress of the virus on top of it all.

And alongside those fighting cancer are their family members, wondering what to do and wishing they could do more.

We can’t physically be with them right now. And that’s torture.

But we can lift them in prayer, call on the phone, send our children’s artwork, make plans for the future, send a joke book, or have their favorite meal delivered.

RELATED: Now More Than Ever, Pray For Each Other

After all, we’re all fighting this pandemic in some way right now.

Some are fighting it by going to work; others by staying home; and still others by marking off another chemo treatment, one brave round at a time.

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Amanda Crumrine

Amanda lives in rural Missouri with her husband David and their 5-year-old twins Fred and Abigail, and a 3-year-old Everett. She is a freelance writer and the director of early childhood ministry at Madison Park Christian Church. When she’s not driving the family minivan (lovingly called by her husband “the gypsy wagon”) to playdates or preschool, Amanda enjoys group fitness and camping.

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Supporting a Family Member With Cancer Right Now is So Hard

But the hardest has been her chemotherapy treatments during this pandemic.

RELATED: Dear Family, This is Going to Make Us Stronger Than Ever Before

RELATED: Stay Home For the Ones Who’d Give Anything To Hold Their Grandbabies

We can’t physically be with them right now. And that’s torture.

RELATED: Now More Than Ever, Pray For Each Other

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Amanda Crumrine

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This Is How to Show Up for a Friend Who Has Cancer

I Never Wanted to Be a Hospital Mom

Cancer Is Weird

Please Don’t Let My Baby Die

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

Supporting a Family Member With Cancer Right Now is So Hard

But the hardest has been her chemotherapy treatments during this pandemic.

We can’t physically be with them right now. And that’s torture.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Princess Kate Shares Emotional Health Update: “Out of Darkness Can Come Light.”

Dear Mom, I’m So Sorry You Lost Your Son to Cancer

I’m Going through Treatment but It’s Affecting Us All

The Hardest Prayer I Ever Prayed

Cancer Taught Me to Open My Hand

“Wear It Anyway, You Never Know When You’ll Get Another Chance.”

This Is How to Show Up for a Friend Who Has Cancer

I Never Wanted to Be a Hospital Mom

Cancer Is Weird

Please Don’t Let My Baby Die

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