Passages in Life: Chronic Illness and Support for Caregivers

Today, the truth is many of us are living longer, and you may be treated for chronic illness.  Cancer, Heart Disease, Anxiety, IBS, Diabetes, Auto-Immune Diseases, Alzheimers strike many families. Do you have an illness?   Are you struggling with impact on your life, and your family members?

Think about your friends and family.  Are you a support person for someone you love, or maybe even a caregiver?

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are.
-- Bernice Johnson Reagon

Our Living begins the moment we are born, and continues onward until the end of our earthly journey.   Our culture has difficulty talking about serious illness, final wishes, and communicating your desires.  In recent years, this has been changing with public people talking on media about Alzheimers, Colon Cancer, ALS, Leukemia, Depression, Lupus and more.  Hospice is a caring way to respectfully close one's life.. but coming to that decision involves much thought, feelings, working with your medical team, and sharing with those who care about you.

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

Lao Tzu

Sorrow is part of life.   Counseling may help during chronic illness. It might  be for the person with the illness, a family member, a caregiver, or a friend. The goals may include building support and seeking guidance during this time in your life. Perhaps you need help in advocating for yourself. Grief takes time to heal. So many losses emerge when a loved one ends earthly life.
If you would like to talk with me about therapy during this Passage in your life, please contact me: email [email protected] or (314) 805-2947.

Your needs are important to me,
Mary Jane Lane LPC LMFT

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