While a lot of different health problems can be avoided by smart lifestyle choices, there are more serious conditions, such as cancer, which we’re at risk of no matter how careful we are. If you have a close friend who’s been diagnosed with cancer, naturally you may feel a little lost as to how to handle the news and support them through this frightening time. Here’s some helpful advice for supporting a friend with cancer.
Listen
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If you can set up a charity event which raises funds for your friend’s treatment, then that’s great! However, often the most important things you can do to help are the little things like simply listening. People, by and large, are naturally self-centred. A lot of us have the unfortunate tendency of only half-listening to what someone has to say and simply waiting for our turn to talk about ourselves. Be sure to listen intently to what your friend has to say, and really make an effort with your conversations. Being diagnosed with cancer can make many people feel severely lonely and isolated. Simple things like good conversation can make all the difference to their mental wellbeing.
Offer Your Help
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When living with a chronic illness like cancer, it can be pretty hard for someone to ask for help, particularly if they’re proud or headstrong by nature. When you’re trying to support a patient you care about, one of the best things you can do is to offer to help your friend with things, both big and small. This could be everyday errands, such as picking their kids up from school, babysitting, or doing laundry. If necessary, though, you should also offer your assistance with the larger, more difficult tasks. If for example, your friend’s condition was the result of an employer’s negligence, you could help them to liaise with a specialized law firm like Madeksho Law. Obviously, it’s not always practical, and can be a little awkward to just linger around their home seeing if they need any help with anything. The best way to approach this tip is often to just integrate it with your normal, day-to-day life. If you’re going to a grocery store, for example, call your friend and see if there’s anything they’d like you to pick up for them.
Don’t be the Grim Reaper
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Naturally, you’re going to be very worried about your friend’s current condition, and the way it’s going to go in the future. That’s why you started reading this post, after all. Although you may feel the natural urge to ask about the details of what the doctors have said, and what your friend’s condition is like, try to steer the focus of your conversations away from the cancer. You may think you’re being helpful by telling your friend about someone you know with the same kind of cancer who’s doing great. However, this will only remind your friend of the pain and uncertainty that they’ve got ahead of them, and believe me they’re thinking about it enough!
