Seeing a loved one fight cancer can be emotionally challenging. Yet, your presence and support go a long way for them through their diagnosis and treatments. You can support a loved one battling cancer by staying in touch and listening to their concerns. It is also important to offer practical support by helping them with their daily tasks. Read more to discover how you can make the journey easier for them.
1. Keep in Touch With Them
Whether they are in a hospital or at home, it is important to keep in touch with a loved one dealing with cancer. Visit them when most convenient, but always ask them before turning up. By keeping up-to-date with them, they’ll feel more loved and supported throughout the treatment and recovery phases.
2. Educate Yourself About Their Cancer
To support them better, learn about the type of cancer they’re battling. Educate yourself about the treatment options, signs, and potential effects it may have in the long run. By understanding their condition, you’ll be better positioned to help them out. You’ll also know more and engage in meaningful conversations about their experiences.
3. Listen to Them
People dealing with health concerns like cancer may want to talk about their feelings, frustrations, and experiences. They may simply want to get things off their minds. That is why you must listen to what they have to say. They may not need any assurances, just a person to talk to.
4. Help Them Out Around the House
Doing chores around the house may be simple for you, yet challenging for people dealing with cancer. Help by keeping the house clean, washing their clothes, paying their bills, and getting them the right food. This is often a major relief for your loved one and may not take much of your time.
5. Call Them More Frequently
While they may not admit it, people dealing with cancer appreciate phone calls a lot since they help them feel more supported. Visiting too frequently can be overwhelming. However, phone calls offer company without the stress of physical interactions. Phone calls and video chats are also helpful if you do not live in the same location as your loved one.
6. Connect Them to a Community
Many communities connect and support people dealing with cancer. Linking your loved ones with local or national cancer support groups or organizations can be helpful. For instance, Mesothelioma Hope offers helpful support and resources for people dealing with mesothelioma cancer.
7. Always Remain Positive
Keeping a positive attitude and mindset during your loved one’s ordeal can be helpful to them. Yet, it is important to balance being realistic and optimistic about their condition. While acknowledging their challenges, try to help them remain hopeful. Still, avoid downplaying the severity of their condition.
8. Encourage Them to Care for Themselves
Always encourage your loved one to pay attention to their well-being and participate in self-care practices that help them relax. For instance, they should engage in their favorite hobbies, spend time with family and friends, and participate in physical activity. This helps to maintain their mental and physical wellness during their cancer journey.
Endnote
Supporting a loved one through their cancer battle involves educating yourself about their condition and keeping in touch. It also includes helping around the house, listening, calling, maintaining positivity, and connecting them to helpful communities.
Photo credits: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-hands-with-a-woman-7659552/
This is a collaborative post supporting our Peace In Peace Out initiative.