Finding out a loved one has cancer can be sad and overwhelming for anyone involved. Even more so, it can be highly confusing for friends and family to navigate supporting a cancer patient. Though it may be uncomfortable at first, it’s important to offer your support to your loved ones as they go through chemotherapy and recovery.
Remember, there’s no “rule book” for supporting those with cancer, but cancer survivors with stronger emotional support tend to have a higher quality of life and a more positive outlook on life. And that’s certainly something you want to be a part of!
Everyone is different, so before you do anything, consider your loved one’s personality and your dynamic together so that you can offer the most appropriate support. Here are some of the best ways you can support a friend with a cancer diagnosis:
Notes and Calls. More than anything, make sure that your loved one knows they are still important to you. Even a simple text that you’re thinking of them will go a long way. Try to keep messages and calls brief but frequent, as they probably have a lot they need to do. Call at scheduled times that work for them, and make sure you always follow through on a callback. Return messages right away, and if you can, check-in with a caregiver to see if there’s anything you can do to support them.
Visits. Schedule some in-person visits, if you can. Cancer can be very isolating, and while patients may not want to talk, they rarely want to be alone. Be prepared to talk and listen, or sit quietly and keep them company. You may want to bring a book, some work, or even some needlework or a puzzle to do while they sleep or watch TV. Try to schedule your visits on less frequented days, like a morning during the week. More people are likely to visit on the weekend but remember that weekdays can be just as lonely. Just try to schedule your visits with your loved one’s caregiver, as they’ll know their care schedule and when the best times to visit are.
Listen. You may not know what to say to a friend or family with a cancer diagnosis, and that’s okay. The most important thing is that you showed up to support them, and you’re there to listen. Don’t feel like you need to respond if you’re unsure of what to say, and try not to relate to what they’re going through. Ask for their advice and opinions like you would have pre-diagnosis, and talk about things that make them happy like sports, friends, news, etc. As you speak to them, try to monitor their energy level and attention span – they may be tired, and the last thing you want to do is make them feel overwhelmed by having to keep up with a conversation.
Tasks. If you can, lend support to your loved one and their caregiver by running errands or completing tasks they need to do. This can be as simple as picking up groceries or medications, driving your loved one to an appointment, etc. You could also cook and drop off a homemade dinner for them and their caregiver or babysit children. Again, try to consult their caregiver to see what chores and projects they need to be completed. Taking care of a caregiver is just as important as taking care of a cancer patient!
Gifts. Small gifts are a perfect way to make your loved one smile. It could be as helpful as some special toiletry items, pajamas, fuzzy socks, or something they’d enjoy like a magazine, food and snacks, pictures of friends, or a journal. And if you can, try to give something to their caregiver as well. Insist that you do not need a thank you note in return, and keep thinking of small gifts you can give them throughout their recovery to brighten their day. It will go a long way!
Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning. Our staff will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us.
Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services has served the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for many years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.
Sources:
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/how-to-be-a-friend-to-someone-with-cancer.html
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-support-a-friend-with-cancer
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