I would like to sit with you for a while.

What to say when visiting a terminal cancer patient. Be afraid to hug or touch your friend if that was a part of your friendship before the illness. Once prepared here are practical suggestions for a successful visit. Its about the warmest thing you can say to a family member or good friend and it means even more to someone who is dying.

Even if you believe that the persons lifestyle choices contributed to their disease or if you think it was Gods will that this happened keep it to yourself. If you are angry with the person who is ill or dying seek counseling with a friend a professional or someone who can help you with those emotions. But the persons care continues with an emphasis on improving their quality of life and that of their loved ones and making them comfortable for the following weeks or months.

Even if thats true its important to let them know how strong they truly are. Tell them Im here for you or I love you and well get through this together Its even okay to say I dont know what to say or send a note that says Im thinking of you. Avoid saying things that minimize what the patient is going through such as Dont worry Everything is going to be OK or Cheer up Nobody deserves to get cancer.

Whether your visit is in a facility or at home be cognizant of schedules and the patients needs. Sometimes personal wishes are confronting from a professional perspective as was the case with a patient who didnt want to take morphine to relieve her breathlessness. They offered some amazing suggestions.

This is why it is so important for patients visitors and staff to take an active role in infection prevention according to Susan ORourke RN of the Center for Patient. And so will they. First of all most of us want to say we are sorry because indeed we are.

You can also send a gift of a cozy blanket or slippers to provide some comfort. A deathbed or sickbed visit is not the time for anger. Everyone wishes the circumstances were otherwise.