Living with cancer is never easy. In fact, trying to be supportive can also seem to be a difficult task all the same. So how do you show your loved one your support as they fight their battle with cancer?
However, before that day comes, you need to know that there are a few things that you can do for the cancer patient that can truly make a difference.
Ensure That the Best Treatment Is Available
Ensure that care is truly good care. If you have any doubts, then it is your right to obtain a second opinion and understand that there are many other options for treatment. You can also have complementary therapies, added. It is likely that there will come a day that you will either be the one to receive support or give support to a friend or family member who may have been diagnosed by a cancer treatment centre.
Be With Them in the Present
The most challenging part about receiving help from family and friends is their inability to voice their concerns to others. However, the family needs to realize that they don’t need to concentrate their efforts on what needs to be said. Instead, they need just to care and be present so they can listen. You don’t need to go above and beyond to say things right or feel obligated to be the “fixer”.
Provide Realistic Help
Focusing on tangible things will allow things to be a lot easier for everybody. This means offering to help with household chores, cooking the meals, conduct errands, and even picking up the kids from childcare. You will notice that everyone will eventually want to help in some way like this, so responsibilities should be divided out.
When you complete your errands, you can include your loved ones at the same time. You can also schedule playdates for any kids they may have. Just thinking of ideas that fit naturally into your schedule will make everything much more quickly.
Keep an Open Mind.
Ensure to keep an open mind because what you think would be right does not mean the patient wants it. You need to keep things simple by asking what they wish and want for themselves.
However, this does not mean they always know what they want. This means you may need to change the way the question gets presented. May them simple yes or no questions so that they can answer and be fully capable of knowing what they want.
Give the Gift of Laughter
You truly haven’t lived until you have been able to make others smile and laugh. This is especially true for patients going through cancer treatment. You’ll be happy to know just how much happier a person becomes only by cracking a funny joke in a time of uncertainty.
What it boils down to is the amount of silliness and laughter involved to keep the atmosphere light and to calm.
Don’t Forget About Yourself.
Since you will be in a supportive role, you need to keep yourself healthy so you can continue to show support. By maintaining your health, you’ll be able to be there for them in the present moment.
This involves getting plenty of sleep each night, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. The great thing is that by taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to control your own anxiety and depression that the situation may have caused. It’s also good to know that you can do them as a team.
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