I’ve included what to say to a cancer patient, what to do for a cancer patient, what to write in a greeting card for a cancer patient, and the things NOT to say to a cancer patient. After my own experience with Stage 3 Breast Cancer and over a year of treatment, I learned what things help heal a cancer patient. Let the gift or card do the talking for you. Just do something for them!!
Top 5 things you can do for a cancer patient:
1) Send a greeting card – or send more than one. Greeting cards have been a source of great strength to me. I have received multiple cards from many people. This has surprised me. At least 8 people have sent me over 10 cards each! One friend sent me a card every week for ONE YEAR!
Food is difficult especially if the Cancer Patient is receiving Chemotherapy. Before you bring food, ask what they can eat.
2) Drop something off to their house or send it by mail. Inspirational gifts are the best. I had told my Oncologist I wanted to quit chemotherapy, give up, and die I was so sick . On that very day an old high school friend sent me an inspirational gift. Knowing she cared and the words were what I needed to hear, I decided I had the courage to keep fighting.
3) Ask them if you can take them to treatment, a medical appointment, or a pharmacy. You may need to be insistent with this, but make sure they know you are available and willing to do so. Do NOT make a casual offer like, “Oh call me if you need a ride.” The cancer patient does not have the energy to call and make arrangements.
4) If they have small children, ask how you can help with the children – babysitting, food for kids, taking them for a day, something, anything.
5) Ask if you can visit, but let them call the shots. Be specific and ask them to set the rules as far as time and date, and always give them an out if they don’t feel up to it. Make sure you are not sick or have been around sick people, as this is disastrous to a cancer patient.
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SEND THEM A GIFT THAT WILL ALWAYS BE APPRECIATED — MY CHEMO CAPS START UNDER $10.00 AT MY ONLINE STORE http://www.hellocourage.com I will send a gift note card and gift packaging stating it is from you at no charge.
5 things to ask a Cancer Patient:
1) How are you feeling today? It is NEVER WRONG to ask someone how they are feeling especially today.
2) Where are you in your treatment? Cancer patients need to talk about this.
3) What are your chemotherapy infusions like? The first time someone asked me this made me feel so loved as they cared enough to ask this question.
4) Would you tell me about your medical team? I had a couple of people ask me this. I loved the question because it gave me the opportunity to share the wonders of my medical team. This was important to me.
5) What has been the most difficult part of being a cancer patient? I don’t think anyone had ever asked me this. But it is thought provoking. It would have been a question I would have liked to have been asked.
5 things to write to a cancer patient in a greeting card:
1) I am very sorry you have to go through this.
2) I admire your courage and strength to fight this disease.
3) You are on a very challenging road right now, and you are doing a great job.
4) My prayers and encouragement are with you.
5) You are an inspiration to me and many others.
The Top 5 things NOT to say or do to for a Cancer Patient:
1) Tell them they have been whining or complaining. Cancer treatment is a living hell. Unless you have been through chemotherapy, please do not pretend you have any inkling of what they are going through. It is not like the flu.
2) Ignore them physically or emotionally – do not run the other way if you see a Cancer Patient at the grocery store or church. If you feel like you don’t know what to say, simply ask them how they are feeling. The Cancer Patient is still the same person! They just want you to show you care in any way – a simple “how are you” means alot.
3) Do NOT tell them about your mother, sister, father, old Aunt Milly and their experiences with the horrors of Chemotherapy, how much they vomited, their terrible death, how badly burned they were through Radiation or other awful stories that will simply depress a Cancer Patient. If you are going to tell them about someone, tell them about the Cancer Survivor!
4) Do NOT call them on the telephone, tell them all about you and never bother to ask how they are, how they feel, or how treatment is going. Ignoring the obvious is watching the elephant in the room.
5) And NEVER say, “call me if you need me or if I can do something for you” unless you are a really close friend of the cancer patient. I know we all have good intentions when we make those statements. The truth is most cancer patients do not have the time or energy to really call. Please be understanding that the cancer patient does not have the energy to keep up their relationship with you right now in the ways that you may have been accustomed.
I hope these things help you with understanding the needs of a cancer patient. One small act of love or kindness can make a cancer patient want to live or give up. It is so important to them. I know my friends and family kept me alive! Your kindnesses make a difference!
denise4health.wordpress.com 
Great article! Often, people want to be there for one another, but people don’t always know what to say. Thanks for sharing with us and making people aware which comments are positive and effective for vs. which ones aren’t. Great read. Thank you very much!
Denise this is an awesome post! Excellent! If you give me your address, I’ll send you a card as well…xo
Can I add to never say “God only gives us what we can handle?” Or how about this… a social worker asked me “how do you feel about cancer?” I stared at her for a minute and said, “I’m curious… how do people usually answer this question?” She said, “Some of them say they are ready for the fight or they have positive stories about their family members beating cancer…”
Maybe so… It struck me as a really horrible question at the time. Like so horrible, I never sought her out for help at the cancer center. Still gives me some willies.
I agree Donna, I am not religious at all, I am neither for or against religion but when people refer to religion and God having something to do with my cancer journey it makes me angry, confused and upset for some reason. And any time I get a question like that social worker asked you I normally go completely silent and move away from that person as quick as I can otherwise I would snap and lose it at that person. I know they are just inquisitive but ask me that question if and when I beat Cancer because going through it…you don’t want to know my answer
I din’t want anybody to tell me I am ‘fighting this disease’. I was a passive recipient of chemo. Fighting talk leaves me weary. (DX Feb2012).
I don’t want this written in a card.
How about this one………….NEVER ASK STUPID QUESTIONS AS TO WHY THE CANCER PATIENT IS WEARING A SCARF OR A HAT…………..I am still working through my chemotherapy….although I do miss a couple of days every other week……..i have had all four AC treatments and just had my first Taxol a couple of days ago……..Just an example,,,,,,I had a customer LITERALLY YELL AT ME FROM AT LEAST 15 FEET AWAY……….” What’s with the do”????? I am normally a very patient and kind person who avoids confrontation, but that really pushed my buttons that day…………I yelled back ” CHEMOTHERAPY”!!!! He didnt know what to say or where to look……….and that made my day (as well as provoking thumbs up signs to me from customers who were in my line up)
I love the posts and am catching up..dx Aug 2012. I have one suggestion I am a patient with cancer it is apart of me but does not define me/us. I would rather say I am a patient and yes I have cancer. I laughed I actually had someone ask me if I didn’t like my haircut and was this why I was wearing a headscarf..haha!
Don’t tell me how lucky and/or blessed I am because I have so many caring family and friends. I hear it over and over and over. I appreciate my family and friends! And I get so tired of hearing it so often, like I’m a child and “need to be told” or something. I do love my family and friends dog gone it, but what do people want, a cookie or something?
Peggy, actually I chuckled when I read your post because gosh, I just had that
discussion today with someone else! And sometimes cancer patients don’t feel
very blessed in spite of caring family and friends. Thanks for your honesty!!
I get it and so will others!
My husband has a full head of hair. When he was going through treatment, BINGO, it all came off. Our sons bought him some cool hats. Everywhere we went, someone said, “you should keep your head shaved, it looks so good”. I finally freaked and told everyone to stop it; he doesn’t look great, he doesn’t suit baldness, so instead of lying to him, just say nothing.
Thank you for this post. I have a co-worker going through chemo right now and this has helped me know how to best support her.
Beth, I am so glad I could be of assistance. You will help give
your friend the will to live by being there for her!
thanks so much for your advice. my sister in law was just diagnosed and your suggestions were very helpful.
Another good one of what not to say is, “Why are you wearing that funny-looking hat?” on the first day that the cancer patient felt the need to wear a head covering because she is just about bald. Ugh! 🙂 This was my father, today. My hair hasn’t come out in clumps. It’s just thinning and thinning and thinning. Today, after washing it, I couldn’t make it look “not bald” and we were heading to a cookout with a lot of family and friends and little kids. I didn’t feel like fielding the questions from the little kids over and over so I decided to use one of my new, cool head coverings. And I wasn’t feeling too good about it anyways, and that was the first thing out of my dad’s mouth. Later he said I looked like a surgeon. At the cookout my one brother said, “Oh, you’ve gone to wearing a beanie I see.” The next brother said, “Ah, had to resort to a head covering, eh? Looks like a surgeon.” My sister-in-law came by later and said, “Oh, I like your hat. Matches your outfit completely. Looks like a surgeon.” OK, fine. I look like a surgeon. Not in a very good frame of mind, I know, and it will pass. Of course, when I look back on the day, I can actually laugh. I guess it DID look like a surgeon!
Cathy – sending you a hug. I am so sorry you had to hear all those things from your family today. Of course, we all know they mean well and don’t know what to say and how to say it. But it still hurts. It can still bring tears to my eyes. I so remember that first public outing when underneath, the hair is almost gone. What we want people to say is, “Oh, it has to be so hard to lose your hair. I am very sorry you have to endure this.” or how about “What a pretty surgeon you would make!” Thanks for your order today, too! I PROMISE you won’t look like a surgeon in them! More like a Hollywood starlet! My best, Cathy. Denise
my least favorite question is “What stage are you?” I feel like they are trying to figure out if I’m going to die anytime soon.
Instead of saying “let me know if there is anything I can do” a friend of mine wrote a list of all the jobs he could do. Some of the things were “I can mow your lawn, take your car in for its service, do your grocery shopping, be a point of contact for others if you don’t feel like taking calls etc.” This was really useful as it broke down the barriers to asking for help.
Jo, the sensitivity of your friend brought tears to my eyes.
That is the most USEFUL and helpful thing I have heard to help a cancer patient
in two years of writing this blog! He is a hero as are you!! Tell him I said so!
Jo, I too, have had people give me a list if what they can do. So very thoughtful. 🙂
I have to thank you for your blog. I also have a friend going though cancer, she is also my boss. I am at a loss for words, but I have cards to send. I just want her to know that I care. I am saddened because I have not talked to her in a month. She is not returning any of my calls or emails. So I am hoping funny cards will help, that is who we are. I just don’t know where to go from here. Perhaps you can provide me with some ideas.
Janne – cards are a really great tool. The cancer patient is overwhelmed and just cannot
even talk to others sometimes no matter how much they care about you. When she is ready to
talk, she will. A friend of mine sent me a card a week for an entire year. This was the
best encouragement… I knew how much she cared. Denise
This is a big help and great inspiration to me. To any viewer who may be going through treatment you are my HERO!!
Aww, thanks Serita! I am so glad it is helpful. It is very hard to
know what to say. I used to always say the “wrong” things even though
I meant well. Even now as a Cancer Survivor, people will ask me how
long I’ve survived. I respond, “Two years since diagnosis.” Then often times
they will tell me about some relative who died at three years, or five years
or 10 years. They mean well, but it never makes me feel good.
Thanks for your great comment! Denise
Hello,
My husband has a co-worker whose wife has cancer, I’ve never met them. My husband has been checking in with him regularly about how she is doing and now they are not sure how much time she has left. They live a few hours away from me so I can’t offer to help but I would like to send her a scarf I knit for her. I just don’t know what to say in the card that I send with it. I know I will end up not mailing it because I am too worried about saying the wrong thing. Can you help please?
Nina, I sent you an email. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Send the scarf – you will be so glad you did. In the email I sent you
I said something like this to say in the card.
I am so sorry you have to go through this. My hope is that the
scarf I made will help cheer you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you….
Keep it short and JUST DO IT!!! Denise
I really enjoyed this site. I am a stage lV bc patient. Diag in Aug. 2013
So this is all new right now. Thank you all for so much valuable information along with some laughs. God bless, Barb
Barbara I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic bc in July. My entire skeletal system is involved. I’d love to talk with you more though I’m not sure how to get my email to you. Maybe Denise can help.
Best to you!
Cathy
Cathy, so glad to hear updates from you! I forwarded your email address
to Barbara at your request! Oh gosh, my hair was snow white too, but now
I have dark roots once again!
So glad the chemo caps have been good to you! Makes me happy!
And good luck with ECHO results! Sending you a virtual hug!!! Denise
Hi Barbara, I tried to send you an email but it came back to me.
Could you email me at b4Denise@hotmail.com I can give you
Cathy’s email address as she was diagnosed Stage IV one month
before you were. She would like to speak with you… Denise
Denise i have been reading some of your beautiful messages!!!!! Wow!!!! My mom has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and not taking it very well!!! Other than a card a week ….what else could i do to cheer her up!? Susan Laforest
such helpful stuff here. How can we be an encouragement and source of hope in the darkest areas of life? I am a pastor of a young man going through chemo. I want him to know God’s faithfulness and encouragement and comfort through my presence. Thank you so much for the helpful ideas of how I can be that. I am going to pass this on to some others involved in his life.
I would like to be part of a team that help women with cancer that are needing pampering. Like makeover. I believe this would make a women feel good about herself. I am in The woodlands Texas.
Thank you for this!!! Ill admitt Reading this has built my confidence in knowing that I can help make a difference, will a little more understanding of what to and what not to say :). I am always so afraid of saying the wrong things and really ruining the persons day or something of that sort, and now knowing that is IT OK to ask how that person is feeling makes me smile. My grandpa has been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, and a convo for me has been a struggle trying to stay positive while watching my favorite person in the world be hurting, and theres not a darn thing I can do to stop it. Thank you for assuring me its ok to talk about it with him. Im starting a courage and strength card for him right now. Bless you
-Laurin
Hi Laurin – so sorry to hear about your grandpa. Your grandpa needs straight talk.
I went through watching my dad die of pancreatic cancer. After having been a cancer
patient now, I realized I never let him talk about HIS feelings. I was just so overcome
with my emotions. So give your grandpa the greatest gift and talk with him about it!
I am so glad my article helped you! Prayers for your grandpa, Denise
Thank you Denise for being such an angel to us all! Your moral support is contagious!
And also very sorry to hear about your dad… I could not imagine how hard that must have been for you, and yet your still here going strong to help out anyway you can! Im striving to have even half of your charisma! Thank you Thank you Thank you
Lovely thing you are doing!! Thank you, its so hard to know what to say or do!!!!
I just read about an organization called Cleaning for a Reason where they will clean the home of a person who has cancer for free! They have branches in many parts of the country. See http://www.cleaningforareason.org/ . And thank you Denise, for sharing your wisdom. Now I know what to say to my sister, who is starting chemo soon. God bless, Kitsy
Kitsy, thanks so much for this information! I wish I would have known about it!
One thing you do not feel like doing is cleaning! I appreciate your passing this along!
Great article! I was just diagnosed and have had a few people tell me that cancer could be a gift and change my perspective. If it’s a gift, may I send it back? I was a pretty cool person before the dx thank you very much! And I don’t know why, but using journey for all of this rubs me the wrong way. Great article!
Oh boy, that cancer can be a gift line – you want to just choke someone if that
one is used on you! People truly do not have a clue what to say. Usually it is
about Aunt Margie who puked her guts out and then died a tragic death. Oh I HATE
that one too!
You will find yourself angry many times, but it will get better as you find the
correct comebacks. I was constantly told, “You look good.” I would respond, “I might
look good, but would you like to know how I feel?” That is the one that always
got me.
Wishing you well. Your anger will serve you well…another line, but it is TRUE!!
My best, Denise
Since my 2012 diagnosis of kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma, stage 2), every “friend” I have (or had) has bailed on me and no longer has anything to do with me! And since I have no family, whatever I am unable to do for myself simply doesn’t get done! My diagnosis was in early December, 2012; my kidney removal surgery was May 7, 2013, and I haven’t heard from anyone since June, 2013! I suppose in their minds, avoiding me like the plague is their idea of “helping” me! Some help! Not one visitor while in the hospital, not one visitor after being discharged. Ironically, the very people who bailed on me were the very first ones I told about my diagnosis. Or tried to tell, I should say. The instant I mentioned kidney removal, he and his wife interrupted, cut me off, and proceeded with “Oh well, so-and-so has only one kidney, and such-and-such has only one kidney, and yada yada has only one kidney, and blah blah has only one kidney, and what’s-his-name has only one kidney, and what’s-her-name has only one kidney, and on and on the “one kidney routine” went! With every name they mentioned, they were dismissing and trivializing my situation. News flash world, I happen to be fully aware that there are people on earth with one kidney, so reminding me is not only unnecessary, it is very insulting! The really disturbing thing about everyone bailing on me is the fact that these are people I’ve known since high school, and I graduated high school in 1974! (So much for “a friend in need”!) But, looking on a more positive side, one of these “friends” is notorious for bombarding you with advice, regardless of whether you want or need it! The very first piece of advice he unloaded on me was to “get all my affairs in order”! My particular type of cancer was caught early enough to not be life threatening, yet here this guy is already shoveling the dirt! In my book, telling a newly diagnosed cancer patient to get their affairs in order should be at the top of the list of what NOT to say! I’m beginning to think that losing friends like this may turn out to be a blessing in disguise! Especially considering that this was the same friend who refused to help me during a medical emergency back in 2006! In June of 2006 I almost died from what turned out to be acute kidney failure. Total loss of appetite, (not a bite for 12 days straight), fainting upon standing, getting weaker and weaker. When asked if I could get him and his wife to drive me to the hospital, he flat out said no! The “reason” he gave was: “If we take you to the ER, they’ll just put you in the waiting room where you’ll have to wait and wait. But if you dial 9-1-1, they’ll get you right in.” Well I dialed 9-1-1, got an ambulance ride to the ER, and guess what? I STILL had to wait and wait! Thanks for nothing! Like they say: “With friends like that….!”
Hi Mike~
It’s been awhile since you wrote this but I DO hope you beat the crap outta’ your cancer!
I haven’t been diagnosed but I can relate to what WOULD happen if I were.
Honestly, I’d prefer people to NOT be there for me.
They aren’t when I’m well and I’d be darned if I’d want their presence to be anywhere near me if I were ill.
Take care Mike!!
GayeLynn
♥♥♥
An elder neighbor is going through this. She will not get better. I make her at least 2 cards a week and am always looking for something to write that will not sound trite, or sound like I haven’t a clue. I appreciate the ideas for cards and will keep going for her until her final breath. I am close friends with her daughter who lives at home still, unable to manage on her own because of learning disabilities. She is devastated. I have framed for her a photo of her parents on their recent trip to a grandson’s wedding, I send her texts and call her. It’s never wrong to say ‘I’m thinking of you!”
thanks
MaryK
Mentor OH
Mary, so very sorry to hear of your neighbor and friend! What a comfort
you must be to her and her daughter!! And you are so right! It is NEVER
WRONG to say “I’m thinking of you.” Thanks for sharing your story!!
My Uncle recently passed away from this dreaded disease …Another Uncle also has Cancer…and receiving treatment …My Brother has Cancer in different parts of his body which he is receiving treatment for today….I have Luekeamia and yet to receive any treatment ….But I know its coming …Not too many know about me…a few family and close friends… I am finding it difficult to find the right words of support for my Brother and for my Uncle ..I know what I would like to hear …But what do they want to hear?…It breaks my heart to see my brother going through this …..he knows about me …We try to be supportive of each other …But he is going through his own hell right now …seeing him like this makes me also have selfish thoughts of what I might go though in the near future…I am not looking forward to it at all…He wont talk about and doesn’t want to know what his prognosis is ..he just takes each day as it comes…and lets me know when he is going into treatment each time…He prefers to talk about anything but his Cancer….He has so much family around him apparently its driving him nuts! He wants some time for himself.. Im not sure what I’m asking here …maybe I’m just venting a little ..I don’t get to talk about my feelings about this at all…No one is comfortable in talking with me about it 😦 and I don’t want to bother my brother …Maybe someone here?
Wow Jamie, you have a lot on your plate. I am so sorry. Life is incredibly unfair sometimes. This is the perfect place to get a bit of support. Cancer sucks. There are no two ways about it. Talk away! I’m all ears!
Cathy
Denise, such a great article! My fiancé, just had surgery to remove his Myxiod Liposarcoma, on August 27, 2014. My question for you is, what if the person doesn’t want to talk about any of it? That they never talk about any of the cancer treatments, surgery, doctor appointments. He didn’t want to tell anyone due to he was afraid they would treat him different. And what happened when they found out, they had horrible reactions, and even stopped calling, seeing, and speaking to us!
I know he hasn’t had chemo, yet. We are now waiting on the tumor board, for more information. He was told cancer didn’t spread and they got it all. And today got a call now a waiting game again!! The radiation treatments did a toll on his underarm. But he is still the same person! A loving father, partner, and friend!
Sorry for rambling on! Guess just worried about what the tumor board will say.
First of all, so sorry you and your fiance’ are having to endure this.
You know, it is really tough when the cancer patient doesn’t want to talk about it.
I’ve known others that have gone that route. It becomes really lonely. And like
you have experienced, when people do find out they withdraw even more.
My suggestion is to do what you need to do to get support as his caregiver. Perhaps
he will come around especially when he is at doctor appointments etc. But you need
to talk about it because it is really hard being a caregiver.
Praying the Tumor Board has good news!! That is a tough wait…Sending a hug your way.
Thank you so much! Caleb and I do speak about it to each other but he doesn’t to anyone else. I am left to tell his parents, any and all news. His work knows only because there wasn’t a way around it. When some of our friends found out they completely stopped all communication with us. They will text but its maybe once a month if that. And very brief. Thank you again so much!!
One of the social workers at the breast center at my hospital had the nerve to use the line about cancer being a gift and an opportunity to grow. I could NOT believe it. Needless to say, I don’t find that Center to be much of a resource.
I personally do not find it helpful to be told how strong and/or courageous I am and/or that I will be fine. I’d rather explore my courage in more rewarding ways, thank you. Besides which – what choice do I have? I can go through treatment or I can let cancer kill me. That’s not much of a choice. And you don’t know that I will be fine – no one can assure me the cancer won’t return, won’t metastasize.
There’s a lot of ignorance about breast cancer; you don’t realize how much until you have it yourself!
Hi Julia – oh boy, the old “cancer is a gift and opportunity to grow” line —
spoken clearly from someone who has not been a cancer patient. No one who has
been a cancer patient would ever say those words! Sure, you have to make the
best of what hand you have been dealt, but I am not ready yet 3 years out from
chemo to call it a “gift”.
Oh gosh, there is so much ignorance out there about breast cancer. A nurse friend
who is in Oncology told me breast cancer patients have the worst chemo regimen. Most
people think we have it easy. I don’t know how that wrong information got out there.
Oh ya, I about decked a couple people who told me to “stay positive!”
Thanks so much for posting! We can all relate to your comments! My best!
I hate it when someone bluntly asks what my prognosis is. I feel like their next question is going to be “Are you interested in selling that______ ?”(you fill in the blank). I also hate it when others with a better chance of survival call ostensibly to find out how I’m doing only to spend the entire phone call whining about their port (or whatever).
My very best friend of 15 years was just diagnosed and will have surgery July 23, 2015. We are so very close so talking with her has been comfortable. She has always had such a positive attitude. I am trying to absorb all the posts so I can be as much of a support for her as she is the greatest blessing in my life. Thanks to all who have contributed such valuable info for someone like me. Blessings to you all.
My sister-in-laws cancer returned-ovarian cancer she is now Stage 3 instead of Stage 2 after one year. And I just found out I’m pregnant again. I was pregnant and in my first trimester when she was diagnosed for the first time too. At that time I was getting ready to move with my husband.
I don’t want to take from her situation, I also live on the other side of the country. Would just face timing with her, and her sons help? I want to focus on her and allow her to see our son, whose 1 year and 3 months younger then her youngest boy. What do you recommend? She’s my sister-in-law by marriage to my husbands brother.
I would recommend that you send her a card first. She is in a turmoil once again.
Do things or send her something that shows you care about what she is going through.
Phone calls and face timing are tough when you are newly diagnosed with a recurrence.
Perhaps send her children a gift – remember, it is about her and her family again…
Thank you for your response. I had changed my cover photo in support of my sister-in-law’s fight. She apparently was really happy with it according to my Brother-in-law. But those are great suggestions, and something I will remember.
A friend of mine is in her last days of cancer…am going to visit her in a couple of days. I am leaving in 1 week for a non-cancelable vacation and am sure she will not make it till I am home. should I mention the trip?
How would it help your dying friend to tell her you are leaving on vacation?
This has been THE most positive & inspirational blog I’ve read. I recently turned 26, my husband is 25, & he was diagnosed with brain cancer, grade III astrocytoma a week before Christmas. He’s in the Army, Special Operations.. it has turned our entire world upside down. He just finished aggressive radiation and his first round of chemotherapy about 3 1/2 weeks ago. He starts an increased dose of chemo next Monday. As his wife, as a nurse, as us being a couple for going on eight years & married almost four years.. it is so hard. People treat he & I like children. Seeing the love of my life, the person who has always been so strong, so forward, who has worked so hard to get to where he’s been, who’s so loving & forgiving and compassionate.. I hate this for him. So much. I stay strong for him, but he continues to put on a front that he’s okay. I know that’s his personality, but it’s so hard because the nurse part of me kicks in, and the wife part is there too. Nobody deserves cancer, no matter what. He gets teased in his unit for not participating in PT.. it’s hard to hear him say that. It makes me want to go in & scream at his “brothers in arms”.. like, do you not realize he physically can’t handle it right now? He needs support. And of course we’ve gotten the whole “oh if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask or call..” but like you stated in your blog, my husband nor myself have the time to call or ask. And it’s a shame. We aren’t the type of people to ask for help, or handouts. But he is starting his more aggressive treatment coming up.. and I have said it from the day of his dx, I will be by your side, I will do everything in my power to help you, to keep things as normal as possible. We have a couple who we are really close with where were stationed at, and they’ve been so helpful, and I’m so thankful for them. We aren’t religious in anyway, and I know it bugs the living hell out of both of us when people say things like “god brought you to it, he’ll bring you through it”. Idk.. I guess I’m just ranting at this point. It’s just hard.. we are at the prime of our lives, we are used to spending weekends outside, doing projects, visiting friends, growing into adulthood.. considering starting a family. Just.. thank you, for your post, for everyone else’s post, for letting me just say what I’ve needed to say & let build up inside of me. I wish all of you the best. Stay strong, stay positive.. I admire all of your strength & send nothing but good vibes your way. ❤
Oh Mary, I am so very sorry about what your husband and you are going through. I so much appreciate your
sharing your story, your feelings, and some of the inconsiderate things said to you and your husband.
And the wife/nurse has to be SO DIFFICULT. Sending you hope, strength and courage! My best, Denise
my brother has lung cancer..he lives away from me..about 13 hours drive. I saw him two weeks ago in the hospital. I witnessed how excruciating his pain was. When he had pain episodes, it looked like he was dying especially when he rolled his eyes and they became white. And, once thru the pain he took a deep breath and seemed like he was dead because he dropped his head until the nurse gave him 3 pumps on the chest. And, he recovered. Because of this, I can’t seem to find myself to go back and visit him again. I have just been communicating with my niece and asking how her dad is doing. Is that something i should feel guilty about?
There is no doubt that it is absolutely excruciating to watch someone you love
in such pain. Only you can make the decision to make the trip to go back to see your
brother. While you are making that decision, imagine that the roles were reversed.
What expectations would you have of your brother?
I have heard of MANY, MANY people in situations like your brother that go into remission.
Miracles still happen today!!
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this. my 5 year old brother was diagnosed with Leukemia 3 years ago, a couple weeks before it would have been too late. I’ve had a lot of people say and do things in the “DO NOT” area, slightly altered due to the fact that he’s only 5, but still. People need to understand that some questions and sayings are just wrong and shouldn’t be said at all. He will be finishing treatment in July this year, and I will be showing some of my friends this so that they can have a somewhat better understanding of what he’s going through.