How To Treat A Loved One Battling Cancer
If you are close to someone who is currently diagnosed with a form of cancer, you might feel trepidation about how to approach them and be there for them. Cancer is a very confusing situation for both those diagnosed and those around them. Keep reading for a few ideas on how to help yourself and them get through this ordeal.
Never treat an individual like they are personally cancerous. Their cancer is not contagious, and having cancer does not make them sick as a person in mind, speech or spirit. If they sense your fear, mistrust or even anger, that negative energy is just going to make their day that much harder.
The first commandment in all situations should be that of love. Even if you worry for them, or feel like biting their head off because years of smoking led to lung cancer, they should only know that you love them. Keep your thoughts to yourself.
Keep your own sanity and health. Get your exercise and your sleep. Eat well. Find time in your schedule to recharge your batteries and even be alone. If you do not take care of yourself, then you can take care of no one else around you. Is it really a win if a cancer victim you love gets better but the ordeal puts you in the hospital instead?
Get support. There are plenty of support groups for those that have cancer, and they are likely exposed to their options already. However, there are also support groups for friends, loved ones and caregivers of cancer patients. You can find these in your community or also online, and they can be a wealth of information and useful advice from those that have been there before, as well as emotional support from those that are also in your boat right now.
Let yourself be human. You are going to have feelings that need release. Emotions such as love and laughter can really help someone with cancer. Any stress or anger you feel need to be saved and vented when not around them.
Enjoy the company of anyone you know with cancer. They need all the positivity they can get right now, so make sure to celebrate life. Never throw a pity party with them because they have cancer. They know they have it and do not need to be reminded of it.
Meet the nurses, doctors and specialists that are helping your loved one with their cancer treatment. Your loved one might need rides to them or just help getting around if they are in-patient at a facility. Get to know everyone involved in the process so that you can ask questions, give assistance and even advocate for your loved one when needed.
As you are now aware, many steps exist that you can take when someone you love has cancer. Keep all the ideas in this article in mind for how to take care of them, as well as yourself. Follow the guidelines of what to both do and not do, and things will go better for everyone involved.
