A cancer diagnosis doesn’t only affect the person diagnosed. Loved ones also feel the impact and changes in relationships are common. Join us on Wednesday, October 19th as we talk honestly about adjusting to new roles, changes in levels of intimacy, and communication hurdles. Together let’s get curious about what this road might be like in your loved one’s shoes and build strategies to keep walking the path bonded together.

1. Finding “Us” Again
Changes in Relationships After Cancer

2. The Impact of a Cancer
Diagnosis
• Cancer brings change, loss and
uncertainty
• Feelings change from day to day
• How you feel impacts how you view
yourself, the situation and the road
ahead
• Everyone responds to cancer in
individual ways
• All feelings are normal. There is no
right or wrong way to feel.

3. Impact on
Relationships
• Changes in roles and responsibilities
• Changes in physical needs: energy
level, appetite, sleep
• Changes in emotional needs: extra
reassurance, more privacy
• Increased financial, childcare, sexual
stress
• Changes in future planning

4. Navigating
Relationship Stress
• Self awareness: Understanding how you
feel & what you need.
• Making requests of others to seek
support, meet your needs.
• Considering and being intentional about
where to turn for support.
• Learning your limits & setting
boundaries.
• Strengthening self care tools for
soothing distress independently.

5. But what if...
There were More Truths?
The first reality = MINE
• My experience now and prior.
• The responses I expect from others.
• The beliefs, assumptions, predictions
I have.
• What I feel and need.
The second reality = YOURS

6. Perspective Taking
Research suggests that utilizing several
views other than your own demonstrates
high levels of emotional intelligence and
improves relationship satisfaction.
1. Who else can help you decode a strained
moment?
2. Word Watching – Do you have different
definitions of the same word?
3. What are you seeing that I am not?

7. Curiosity & Care
• Think like a scientist. Hypothesis.
• What makes people tick?
• What do I know about this person?
• What is working for them? Not working?
• What might they be needing?
• What do they want to change?
• How can I touch the part of me that has felt
this way for the purpose of understanding to
this experience for you?

8. Small effort = Big Impact
• Consider the difference between ENERGY
& ATTITUDE
• What is the “story you’re telling yourself”
• Watch for joy - seek it – make time for it.
• Keep things interesting – are you living by
outdated rules?
• Express gratitude (appreciation)
• Connect with others who have similar
circumstances and relationships

9. Where it all “Springs”
into Action
Lead with Presence – Show up and give
others your full attention
Intention shapes the trajectory of our
communication
Stay keen to the underlying needs in a
conversation – flexible attention