Mary’s Battle
For a number of years, Mary has been fighting breast cancer off and on. She will encourage both negative and positive aspects when adapting to this illness. Her age may negatively affect her adaption. As a 42 year old woman, she is likely anticipating her two children succeeding with their life’s. In adaptation, the freedom that she enjoys now, with her children in their own homes, is going to complicate her adjustments as well.
Financial support can also have a negative impact on her process of adjusting, even though she currently has health care coverage through her employer. Once she cannot work any longer due to her sickness, she will have to handle the stress that comes as a result 0of continuing medical treatment and bills. Such as, co payments and deductibles plus medication. Knowing that she may be facing financial crisis, perhaps even leaving it for her children to handle after death, may negatively impact her adjustment.
A factor that may have a positive effect on the way that Mary is able to adjust to the illness that she is currently facing if employed is to establish a system of social support. Mary currently has a small support system, which includes both her children and, her church and if utilized properly the support given by these individuals could be very beneficial in helping her adjust to the challenges that she will be facing as her body becomes weak from the cancer. However, if she is unable to open up to her children about her illness and does not utilize the support that the woman at the church is offering her she may not reap the benefits that this type of system could offer her.
