When youre unwell so much control is removed from your world.

What can you say to encourage a cancer patient. Dont ask what you can do to help or say Let me know if. We might joke about people chanting but self-affirmation is one method of coping when an illness threatens our very integrity. Youre told what to do when to eat.

Go to doctors appointments in the caregivers place help out with the kids or pets organize medications or send the patients spouse parent or child off for massage or a night or weekend to unwind. Your words and actions can be powerful. What are you thinking of doing and how can I help.

Used with permission from From Me to You. Saying Call me if you need help or Let me know if you need anything are of course perfectly acceptable things to say to a loved one with cancer. Alison and Brian together.

Actively listen to the patient when they are speaking and encourage them to continue if you sense they want or need to. The worst thing you can do is avoid the person because you dont know how to handle it. Some people with cancer have found that they can help turn their negative thoughts in a positive direction by repeating a mantra or phrase.

Here are examples of phrases that are unhelpful. Give the primary caregiver a break. I know just how you feel.

Assume your co-worker can no longer do the job. Help with laundry just call ahead and say Unless its a bad time Im coming to help you with your laundry. How to support someone with cancer The emotions they might feel.