The Importance of a Strong Support System
- Kylie Minogue, 55, understands what it’s like to deal with a health challenge as she’s a thriving breast cancer survivor, so as Madonna is battling a “serious bacterial infection,” Minogue is hope she has a “speedy recovery.”
- Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 ate age 36, and underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation until she was declared cancer-free in 2006.
- Madonna several days in an intensive care unit earlier this summer after developing a bacterial infection.
- Having a strong support system through cancer, such as family or a spouse or friends, can make a huge difference; being grateful has shown to positively impact the cancer journey, too.
Minoguewho was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 ate age 36, and underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation until she was declared cancer-free in 2006wished Madonna “a speedy recovery” in a recent interview.
The “Padam Padam” singer’s sweet words and sisterly support for Madonna, whose full name Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, comes after the “Like a Prayer” singer is finally out of the hospital with hope for the future.
Madonna, who has been a staple of the music and entertainment industry for decades, and whose top hits include “Vogue” and “Papa Don't Preach,” recently spent several days in an intensive care unit after developing a bacterial infection.
On July 30, Madonna took to Twitter to praise the love she’s been receiving from family and friends, calling it “the best medicine.”
“One month out of the hospital and I can reflect. As a Mother you can really get caught up In the needs Of your children and the seemingly endless giving,” she said.
“…But when the chips were down my children really showed up for me. I saw a side to them I had never seen before. It made all the difference,” Madonna wrote. “So did the love and support from my friends”
More On Finding Support
- Finding the Support You Need to Heal During Cancer Treatment
- I Wanted to Be Me Again, But I Also Needed Their Help — Finding That Support System
- ‘Tell People What You Need”– Dallas Ovarian Cancer Survivor Terri Moore On The Value of a Support System
- 27 Thoughtful Gift Ideas to Support Loved Ones Through a Cancer Journey
- 8 Ways to Support Someone Battling Cancer: The Inspiring Story of Levon Helm
- A Cancer Survivor’s Ode To Friends and Family: “My Support System Helped Me Heal”
Madonna added, commented on her loved ones pictured in the photos she tweeted, “How fortunate I am to have known these people and so many others who are also gone. … And Thank you to all my angels who protected me and let me Stay to finish doing my work!”
Just last week, Madonna tweeted again, thanking everyone for their “incredible support and patience” over the past month.
She also happily reported that the “re-routed tour schedule will be coming in the next few days.”
Love from family and friends is the best Medicine. One month out of the hospital and I can reflect.
As a Mother you can really get caught up In the needs Of your children and the seemingly endless giving……….. But when the chips were down my children really showed up for me. I… pic.twitter.com/AO3bmrRrjL— Madonna (@Madonna) July 30, 2023
Meanwhile, at the annual KTUphoria festival in New York in June, Minogue revealed she’d be open to working with Madonna in the near future.
“I would. Of course, I would!,” she said backstage at the concert, in regard to whether she would collab with Madonna, according to New Musical Express.
“She's going on tour. I don't have Madonna’s number but if I was in town and she was in town it would be amazing. The building would probably fall down. We’d need to send out warnings!”
Minogue also revealed that Madonna’s music inspired her, noting that she often danced to her music in her bedroom at age 16.
All dressed up and Nowhere to go…………….👠…….. But Soon , Very Soon, I'll be traveling to you . #celebrationtour pic.twitter.com/Tuz9bJN8bO
— Madonna (@Madonna) August 9, 2023
Having Support Makes a Difference
Whether it's cancer, chronic disease, or a bacterial infection in Madonna’s case, having a strong support system always helps. Your support system can be a partner, friend, family member, or someone you've met that's battling a similar health condition.
The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
In the end, support during a health struggle has many benefits.
While coping with your diagnosis, your emotions may swing from anxiety to anger to depression and beyond. Your support system can help you navigate those feelings.
Having people around to help with everyday chores is another way your support system can help you day-to-day. If you've undergone rounds of chemotherapy, which can leave you feeling tired, your friend or family member handling dinner plans can make all the difference.
WATCH: What to do after a cancer diagnosis?
New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik understands the emotional step of coping with a diagnosis and forming a support group to help you along. She recommends the following three steps for anyone who just found out they had cancer.
- Seek additional support if you need it. This might mean speaking to a mental health professional or finding a support group to join.
- If needed, find a mental health professional who has experience helping people dealing with things like cancer.
- Make sure your care team stays connected. Your care team may include your friends, loved ones, therapist, and doctors.
SurvivorNet spoke with Carrie Kreiswirth, who is a breast cancer survivor. She explained how valuable her support system was to her while she navigated her cancer journey.
WATCH: Finding that support system.
"My brother and sister did not live near me at the time. They made sure that they were at my doorstep that even, so they could come with me to my appointment the following day which I am grateful for now, I was grateful for then, and I will be grateful forever,” Kreiswirth said.
In an earlier interview, Cedars-Sinai's Dr. Zuri Murrell shares the importance of gratitude like Madonna’s, and having a positive attitude through cancer. He says, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they're diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK.”
“Now doesn't that mean I'm good at saying that the cancer won't grow,” he says. “But I'm pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
We're a Sisterhood: Getting Through Cancer Treatment Together
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.