 |
 |
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Carol Holt" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 08:48:04 -0500 Subject: Re: caregivers I have noticed the same about my son and daughter. My daughter is 22. She and I can talk about my Parkinson's and my (breast) cancer. We can talk about the future, about my living will, and about what I want for my funeral. She knows I am just preparing for a time when things will be rough for my loved ones and I want them to know now how I feel. She is the back-up to my husband for my living will. My son is 20. We can't talk about anything related to my health. He immediately changes the subject. But, then, he will say later that he is glad I am okay. He is very empathetic, so it not that he is a hardened male. It is only in this one area that we cannot talk. He even went with to one of my chemo sessions when my husband couldn't, and we had a wonderful time playing cards and joking around. (But, he didn't want to disucss what was happening.) Is this gender-specific? Is it related to birth position in the family? Or is it different for everyone? It is sometimes disconcerting since I want him to be fully aware of what is happening and what to expect down the road. We have always been very honest with our kids (except for Santa and the Easter Bunny, of course!). Thanks, Carol Carol Holt [log in to unmask] Wife, mother, breast cancer survivor, parkinsonian