Keeping Relationships Strong Through Cancer
- It’s wonderful to see Prince William and his beloved wife Kate Middleton, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, maintaining a strong bond throughout her cancer battle.
- Middleton was recently spotted attending a church ceremony with her husband, so we’re glad to see the lovely pair still doing things together and sticking by each others side through adversity.
- Facing any type of health battle or traumatic experience, like the death of a loved one, can be extremely overwhelming, so having a good relationship with a partner can be immensely helpful. According to MacMillan Cancer Support, communication is key.
- One of our experts also says surrounding yourself with people, potentially including a partner, who can support you throughout cancer treatment is crucial, especially since loneliness can impact a person’s recovery.
The pair, who met while studying at the University of St. Andrews in 2001 and now have three children—George, Charlotte and Louis—have exuded nothing but strength and love for each other as Middleton underwent treatment for a type of cancer, which she hasn’t publicly revealed, this year.
Read MoreLeading up to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ beautiful matrimony, Prince William proposed to Kate while on vacation in Kenya back in 2010. They later married on April 29, 2011.View this post on Instagram
They started their marriage with faith, and continue to keep God in their life as they were recently spotted going to a church service in Scotland on Sunday, as per photographs the Daily Mail obtained, featuring Middleton and her husband happily commuting to the event in their Range Rover Defender SUV.
Additionally, Prince William, who was spotted this week in Llanelli, South Wales, offered a health update on his wife, saying, “It’s good news, but there is still a long way to go,” as per Hello! Magazine.
The Royals correspondent Sharon Carpenter spoke with E! News after Middleton’s diagnosis was announced in February, saying, “It’s a tough time for him [Prince William] because his wife is recovering, he’s got three children, and he has his own responsibilities as well.”
She added, “The royals are very good at keeping calm and carrying on, no matter what’s going on behind closed doors.”
Earlier this summer, NBC News royal correspondent Katie Nicholl said, “We know that as the King and the Princess of Wales have gone through this cancer journey together, they’ve very much been supporting each other behind the scenes.
“Well this is the ultimate show of support.”
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In June, mindset coach and body language expert Noor Hibbert told HELLO! that Middleton’s love for husband can be seen whenever she’s looking at or near her husband.
“You can see the difference in Kate’s smile, which becomes evidently wide, as William looks straight in her eyes whilst they exchange communication on the balcony,” Hibbert said.
“His eyes show care for his wife and this affectionate exchange demonstrates the deep and romantic bond between the two.”
Additionally Royal commentator and former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond looked into a recent photo of the couple, telling OK! Magazine, “The last few months have been a test of their strong partnership.”
“I think this photograph tells us that they are still able to jump for joy, even in the toughest of times, and that Kate has deliberately chosen a picture that speaks of their optimism for the future,” she said according to the Mirror.
Bond continued, “She adores William – he is her rock and has supported her so selflessly through all of this and has taken flak from members of the public for not doing more and for devoting himself to her.
“So she adores her man. I think their marriage is stronger than ever.”
View this post on Instagram
Middleton also took to social media to share some beautiful footage of herself and her loved ones this month, to announce the conclusion of her chemotherapy treatment.
She said, “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
View this post on Instagram
She also admitted that she’s doing all that she can to remain “cancer free”
“Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can,” she explained.
“Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.”
Kate Middleton Underwent Abdominal Surgery
When Middletown revealed her cancer diagnosis, she said in an informative vide, “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful.
“However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
It’s important to point out that with abdominal surgeries comes a heightened risk of heart issues, which thankfully Middleton hasn’t experienced. It’s also unclear what type of abdominal surgery Middleton underwent.
Cardiac complications have been found to occur after major abdominal surgeries, for example, a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2018 found, “Of the 962,754 elective admissions for major abdominal surgery, 1.4% experienced in-hospital mortality, 0.7% myocardial infarction, and 0.35% cardiac arrest. Myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest were associated with a 24-fold increase in risk of perioperative mortality.
“Compared with institutions that have a very low volume of operations, those hospitals with larger volumes of operations had a decreased risk of cardiac arrest and incident mortality after cardiovascular complications, but the odds of myocardial infarction were greatest at higher operative-volume hospitals. The annual all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction rates decreased over time, but the incidence of cardiac arrest increased.”
Meanwhile, another study published in 2020, titled, “Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Abdominal Surgery and Insights from Other Surgery Types,” found postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), a new onset of atrial fibrillation post surgery, in around four to 17 percent of patients who underwent this type of procedure.
Supporting a Spouse During Cancer
A life-altering diagnosis can impact the patient and their loved ones emotionally and physically.
Research published in The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine studied the impact of a cancer diagnosis or disease on family members. It found, “Most chronic diseases have similar effects on family members including psychological and emotional functioning, disruption of leisure activities, effect on interpersonal relationships, and financial resources.”
Feelings of “helplessness, lack of control, guilt, anger, embarrassment” are some common emotions parents, siblings, and other relatives within the household of someone battling a health condition may experience, according to researchers.
MacMillan Cancer Support, a charity that advocates for cancer patients, says communication is a vital tool in helping support a partner with cancer, and it could help a couple understand each other better.
“It can help to ask your partner what support they would like and find useful. This makes sure you help where it is most wanted and needed. It can also help you avoid misunderstandings,” the charity said.
WATCH: Natalie and Stephen’s relationship was tested amid cancer.
Communicating your feelings is something licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also believes is vital to helping couples dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
She adds that people faced with cancer should “surround [themselves] with individuals who care and support [them]” throughout treatment while also acknowledging their limits on what they can handle.
“Going through [cancer] treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” Dr. Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet. “Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”
Supporting Your Partner as a Caregiver
Cancer patients need to have a robust support system. Having a partner, friend, or family member to help care for and support you through a health struggle can be advantageous.
Although many partners assume a caregiving role when their loved one is diagnosed with cancer, anyone close to the patient can become a caregiver. It’s prudent that caregivers understand their loved one’s diagnosis and assist them when following cancer-care instructions.
Dr. Jayanthi Lea, a gynecologic oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet, “I encourage caregivers to come to visits with my patients because, in that way, the caregiver is also listening to the recommendations about what should be done between these visits, any changes in treatment plans, any toxicities [side effects] that we need to look out for, changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc.”
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If you are a caregiver of a cancer patient, it is important to maintain your own mental and physical health as well.
“Caregiving is the most important job in the universe because you are there through the highs and lows,” Julie Bulger, manager of patient and family-centered care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet.
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“You are there to support your loved one, to manage all of the daily tasks as everything is changing in your life,” Bulger added.
Caregivers must also watch out for “caregiver burnout,” where stress, anger, fatigue, and illness emerge from putting another person’s needs ahead of their own. Remember, anyone who finds themselves struggling to care for a cancer patient should seek out a therapist or a support group of their own, either online or in person.
Sex & Intimacy
Sex is something that’s often overlooked when it comes to cancer treatment. Doctors are so focused on keeping patients alive, that the sexual side effects that come with cancer treatment aren’t really factored in as an important part of the equation. This is an issue that comes up often when we interview both male and female survivors.
Watch: SN & You: Discussing Sex and Sexuality After Cancer
But cancer can also open up doors to exploring your body in a way you never have before. Breast cancer survivor Ericka Hart said anyone worrying that they may never have sex again after facing cancer, really shouldn’t.
“If you’ve just been diagnosed and you are thinking you’re never going to have sex again, think again,” Hart said, sharing that it helped her learn a new sexual avenue.
Kink and BDSM can be a ‘beautiful way to reclaim your body,’ says survivor Ericka Hart
“Kink and BDSM was a huge part of my healing. When you go through breast cancer, it’s almost like a non-consensual pain you’re going through … but to have someone spank you, or flog you, or even choke you in a consensual way that you’re asking for can be a really beautiful way to reclaim your body.”
Expressing fantasies, watching adult films together — from the highly tasteful to the taboo — and reading erotic poetry or literature are other ways to spice up your sex life as a couple (or to explore individually).
RELATED: “I Just Want to Have Sex Again” Life After Treatment
If single, online dating may open up opportunity for virtual communication sexually. Some feel more fulfilled just having an emotional connection with someone, even if the person is across the world.
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Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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