When a friend or family member is coping with a serious illness, it can be difficult to find the right way to communicate. Members of our staff at Issels® share five simple and practical tips to express support for a loved one who is undergoing cancer treatment.
1. Schedule personal visits.
*Be considerate of your friend’s needs. Always call first and don’t take it personally if they can’t see you.
*Begin and end the visit with a hug, handshake or other warm physical contact.
*Visit during “off-hours,” such as weekday mornings, rather than weekends or holidays when others are likely to visit.
2. Call and send notes.
*Return any calls or messages from your friend as soon as possible.
*Frequency is more important than length.
3. Engage in conversation.
*Ask questions to keep the focus on your friend’s thoughts and feelings.
*Discuss sports, books or other topics that bring pleasure to your friend.
*Allow your loved one to express their feelings honestly, without trying to change the tone of the conversation.
4. Handle errands and projects.
*Offer to take over one or more regular errands, such as mowing the lawn, that will help ease the load.
*Don’t forget to ask the caregiver if you can run any errands for them as well.
5. Give gifts.
*Bigger isn’t always better. Choose small gifts that will be immediately useful, and give them often.
*A gift to the caretaker will be equally appreciated by the one who is undergoing cancer treatment.
*If your loved one has financial obstacles, consider seeking donations or organizing fundraisers.
Cancer Treatment for Therapy-Resistant Cases
Immunotherapy at Issels® has an outstanding record of success, even with patients in Stage IV. Contact us to learn more about our state-of-the-art programs that are tailored to a patient’s specific needs.