Alicia Silverstone - The Christ Hospital

Saying theright thingWhen a loved one isdiagnosed with cancerYou may one day find that your spouse, closefriend or relative receives the diagnosis no onewants to hear: cancer. It’s a delicate situation, sounderstandably you may be worried about sayingthe wrong thing. Here’s how you can best offer comfortand support in this situation:You might offer to provide transportation to a doctor’soffice or sit in on a checkup, go grocery shopping orcook a meal.v Listen with your heart. Ask “What are you feeling?”Your loved one may be experiencing a host ofemotions—fear, anger, sadness, guilt, helplessness oranxiety. He or she may be concerned about the impactcancer will have on finances, job, sexuality or relationships.Pay attention to the answer to your question so youcan understand your loved one’s feelings.v Encourage your loved one not to blame himselfor herself for getting ill. A longtime smoking habitmay have led to lung cancer, but it’s important to insteadfocus on getting better.v Ask whether he or she wants to discuss his orher healthcare visits with you. Some people maywant to talk about what their healthcare provider said indetail, while others may not want to talk about it at all.If your loved one asks for your opinion about his or herillness and treatment options, be open and honest. If youdon’t know the answer to a question, say so.v Offer practical help. Instead of saying, “Call meif you need anything,” say, “What can I do to help?”v Try to help your loved one focus on positiveinformation. More than 10 million people who’ve hadcancer are alive today, and new treatments are constantlybeing developed.v Know that sometimes people take out their anxietiesand frustrations on those closest to them.Or they may act out feelings of helplessness or weakness.These are normal responses to illness. Remaincalm and be extra understanding if this happens. Asyou reach out to your loved one, remember to tunein to your own heart. It will help guide you to just theright words. WHT!Help is just a click awayVisit www.thechristhospital.com to learn aboutprograms for patients with cancer and their familiesat The Christ Hospital Cancer Center. Or come visitour Cancer Resource Center, where you’ll find awealth of printed materials and a patient-educationdatabase. Call (513) 585-2323 to learn more.18Women’s Health Today