4 Ways to Support a Loved One With Cancer
When a loved one hears their cancer diagnosis, it’s an unimaginable moment. Naturally, they’re scared and uncertain of what comes next. Meanwhile, you’re coping with the immense change and strife that’s to come for someone you love. To say it’s not an ideal scenario is the understatement of the century.
Once the initial shock wears off, both you and your loved one move forward. You find ways to navigate the uncertainty and overcome the setbacks. You learn about their specific form of cancer and talk with medical professionals about treatment. More importantly, you find ways to support one another throughout the journey. This will largely depend on your loved one and their interests, but here are a few ways to consider:
1. Give the Gift of Comfort
Splitting time between various hospitals and their home can greatly affect your loved one. They’re likely tired from treatments and the mental toll of cancer. Then, they have to expend energy bouncing from one location to another. That’s why giving them comfort-inducing items is such a great idea.
The best part is you can customize your gift to their preferences. Maybe they’d love a neck pillow or a cozy blanket. Perhaps fuzzy socks and a luxurious robe are more their speed. Or a home-cooked meal and a collection of photographs may be the perfect gift. The goal is to find ways to help them feel as comfortable as possible as they battle their disease.
Ultimately, get well soon baskets let your loved one know you’re thinking of them. They also can be a bright spot when tough times hit in their cancer journey. And those glimmers of light are well worth the investment.
2. Spend Dedicated Time Together
Another incredible gift you can give is your time. Visiting someone who is ill and talking about your life can bring some normalcy to their everyday experience. Plus, it can make the long days go by faster since you can be a welcomed distraction.
The hardest part is carving out the time to dedicate to visiting. Look at your schedule and commit to time at least one day a week, if possible. Find ways to drop in during visiting hours, even for a few minutes, for some quality time. If your loved one’s schedule is flexible, spend a few hours one day with activities or other forms of entertainment in tow. Even those who live far away can schedule a video or phone call to catch up on good days.
Knowing that you took time out of your busy schedule to drop in adds fuel to your loved one’s fire. They’re that much more motivated by your support and physical presence in their life. And that can truly make a world of difference.
3. Thank Their Medical Team
An often overlooked aspect of a loved one navigating cancer is the medical professionals working tirelessly to help them. These nurses, doctors, and other medical staff members prove critical in the fight against all forms of cancer. So, thanking them is a great way to indirectly support your loved one.
How you approach this is up to you. Making a goodie basket of snacks and drinks is a great way to cover a wide array of preferences. Putting together a wallet full of gift cards to cover snacks or lunch for a few days is another thoughtful option. Even a handwritten card with a message of appreciation can go a long way.
Thanking those who are helping your loved one as they deal with cancer is an incredibly kind action. You get to support the medical personnel devoting long hours to your loved one’s care and wellbeing. Your loved ones can bask in the fact that their medical staff is getting thanked in an above-and-beyond manner. All it takes is a bit of time and some creativity.
4. Celebrate Wins
When your loved one is in the thick of their cancer battle, it can become monotonous. Each day is filled with traveling to different treatment centers and coordinating upcoming appointments. There are long conversations with doctors and other medical professionals about the next steps. That doesn’t even include the physical, mental, and emotional requirements of this terrible disease. As such, it can become easy to forego celebrating wins; but that’s not what’s best for your loved one.
Think of ways to create joy throughout their cancer journey. Throw a party if they have time off from chemo or radiation. Get a cake to commemorate when they have a good day. Pick up their favorite sweet treat or savory indulgence to celebrate when you can spend time together.
Having a positive, celebratory mindset is in your best interest and theirs. It builds appreciation for their treatment and any improvement they may make. It acknowledges the difficult times they’re going through and lets them know you care. And it creates special memories that you and your loved ones can look back on fondly.
Helping Their Fight
Battling a disease as taxing as cancer is no easy feat. It takes a lot out of a person with how many treatments and doctor visits they have. It’s anything but enjoyable. Having those they love nearby supporting them makes it ever so slightly easier. And that is ultimately worth it.
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