Coaching of patients and caregivers. Life with, life after illness
We all fear illness, for ourselves and for our loved ones. Yet serious and chronic diseases affect many people around the world, forever changing the lives of those impacted.
Cancers, autoimmune and / or degenerative diseases, chronic diseases, disabilities … All these accidents of life which profoundly transform the existence of patients, and caregivers, sometimes require the support that coaching can offer to move forward, build this “living with” or even the “living after”.
Diagnosis, and after?
There are the difficult and agonizing moments of diagnosis. The shock of the announcement (for the sick, for their friends, families and future caregivers). There is denial, anger, and of course the fear and sadness that follow. The sometimes heavy and physically demanding treatment add-up to challenging phase.
However, those around them “understand” the need for help and support. It’s okay, not to be okay, it’s understandable to be worried. A whole support system is formed quite spontaneously around the patient or the suffering relatives. When in these phases, the need for psychological support is identified, it is quite naturally offered, often even as part of the care process.
Beyond acceptance
One day, the patient finally accepts his / her condition and is ready to move on. Whether before / during or after heavy treatments (chemotherapy, surgeries, radiotherapy, rehabilitation etc.), he ends up coping better. But better is not good. Better doesn’t mean that he or she doesn’t need help sorting out the skein of thoughts.
A similar process applies to the affected entourage. However, when the process does not take place synchronously, this can be a source of additional tensions.
In addition, often the support system that was established disappears.
Indeed, for those who have reached the post-illness phase, the circle of support believes that “that’s it, he / she will get back to his or her life”, “he / she can turn the page”, “he / she / she will be able to close the chapter “, to ” forget “. “Resume his life where he / she left it.”
For others who are dealing with a chronic situation, the support system will feel that “now is the time to live with it”, “it is like that”.
Yet nothing less obvious and simple. This “new normal” is a delicate balance difficult to find and tame. No, you are not resuming your life where you left off, you are not turning the page, and it is not easy to live with it (and sometimes to the rhythm of medical check-ups).
Supporting the search for meaning in life
When you have come close to death, almost lost everything, lost what defined you so far or even lost what you use to believe in, your foundations, in short when you were caught by a tsunami, it is normal to go in search of meaning.
Coaching can be an opportunity to find a new identity, redefine new values and beliefs, find what drives you. At this stage, to be able to find serenity, it is essential to realign oneself to live with integrity. Many also have a need for increased spirituality then.
This phase of renewal is not easy and many feel misunderstood and not in sync with what used to be their environment.
Professional impact
Obviously, this transformation impacts both the personal sphere and professional life.
It is common for this phase of introspection to lead to a reflection on a potential professional reconversion: necessary, desired, utopian or realistic.
In fact, this phase can be proactively supported within the company to facilitate the return or professional transition which can also be done internally.
Coaching
Relying on the work of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and Frederic Hudson, the coach can ease the transition from the phases of acceptance to serenity.
Whether it is identity coaching (Who am I? Who have I become? Who do I want to be?) or professional coaching, this short support can be decisive in better living the change and becoming aware of the resilience developed.
How to live with the illness, how to live afterwards?
I understand these issues, they touch me and I am here to listen to you and accompany you on this path. Contact me and let’s see how we move forward.
