Dateline North Star Lodge Cancer Care Center. Mission Control and Yours Truly are offering this excellent article written by the cancer treatment center we are supporting.
Talking to a person with cancer can be uncomfortable. But you can stay connected during this difficult time. Scary, confusing, unfair—whatever words come to mind when you think about cancer, figuring out which ones to share with a friend or relative with cancer can be difficult.
Fight the fear.
Everyone needs hope, especially when facing illness or hardship. And there is reason for people to be hopeful about cancer.
Cancer survival rates have gone up as the disease has been detected earlier and treated more effectively. It’s important to keep this in mind and focus on the positive.
Remember the person.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) says it’s important to accept people with cancer as the people they were and still are.
No matter how much their outward appearance may change, inside they’re the same as always.
As much as they’re physically able, try to involve them in the same activities you shared before they were diagnosed. Invite them to participate in as many shared activities as possible.
Listen, listen, listen.
Let them set the time, place and tone for conversations about the disease. Be a good listener and don’t feel you have to say something. Be open, honest and comfortable—they’ll sense it and appreciate it.
Stay informed.
Learning about the disease helps you and your loved one. Understanding cancer can help you cope with it. Good places to start include the National Cancer Institute, the ACS, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
Seek support.
Everyone needs help sometimes. There are lots of support sources for people facing cancer and their loved ones. Ask your health care provider about support groups in your area.
Words To The Wise, From The Wise. Those Leanne and I have lost to cancer were strong, loving, caring people. We found that they in fact were stronger than us. This article really helps those of us who just don’t know what to do. And I would expect that is most of us. If you have additional suggestions, please share.
Ride On,
C.C.R.
[...] Talking to a person with cancer can be uncomfortable. But you can stay connected during this difficult time. Scary, confusing, unfair—whatever words come to mind when you think about cancer, figuring out which ones to share with a friend or relative with cancer can be difficult. – See more at >> [...]
In my own experience with caring for my mom during her cancer battle, the advice in the article about participation in normal activities is right on. 3 weeks before she passed, when she stopped treatment, we went out garage sale shopping ’cause that is what she liked to do. She knew it was the end, and there was nothing she needed to buy, but that wan’t the point. We shopped, bargained, purchased, and laughed like all the tomorrows would still be ahead of us. It was a special, simple memory that let her forget about how bad she was feeling, if just for a little while.