family planning

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“Dealing with a serious illness can change your relationships with the people in your life,” Dr. Szabo said. “And chronic pain or illness can frustrate you, your friends and your family. How you and others respond to the stress of your condition can affect the quality of your relationships.”

Here are ways you can keep your relationship with your partner strong:

• Remember, you are still you. This illness does not define you.
• Keep communication open—be open and honest. People only understand what you are thinking or feeling if you tell them.
• Express your needs, feelings, and ideas honestly and directly, without putting down or hurting others.
• Don’t lie about your symptoms.
• Use “I” statements to describe problems. That way, your partner doesn’t feel blamed or criticized, and you keep the focus on your needs and wants.
• Avoid endless complaining, which can be draining. Instead, talk about how you can change the parts of your life that are making you unhappy.
• Adopt a positive outlook. Try to find humor in situations.
• Use honesty and transparency to foster closeness.
• Remember how you and your partner overcame difficult situations in the past and use those strategies now.
• Allow room for a “time out.” Serious illnesses can cause feelings of anger and depression. Give yourself and your partner room to feel your emotions and take a moment alone.
• Remain intimate. Intimacy does not necessarily mean sex.  It means spending time together—holding hands, reading together, talking, etc.
• Find time to do the things you love.
• Let others know what to expect of you as you heal—and what not to expect.
• Let go of guilt about not doing the same things or going to the same places.
• Be gentle with yourself.
• Commit to getting and staying emotionally and spiritually strong.