You would have come across many people with cancer and expressed your love and compassion for them through some soothing words. But would that be enough? Every cancer patient goes through several stages of the disease and has to endure a whole lot of pain in the process. A one-time expression of concern for their ordeal might give you the peace you need, but would surely not put a smile on their face that they need to fight the disease. Some people would be uncomfortable asking for help from you, which makes it important to do your part of understanding their needs.
Helping any cancer patient would surely depend on their interests and needs; so, try and find some concrete ways to help your loved one. If you are confused about what to do to support them, let us have a look at some general suggestions by people who have been through this phase earlier.
1. Get the Shopping Done
You may or may not be the person who handles the section of shopping essentials and groceries for the patient but try and do it now. Buy the groceries from a shop nearby or online, and get it delivered for them.
2. Household Maintenance
Get all things done for them which they usually do daily. These activities may include cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, paying the bills, mowing lawns, sending children to school, and walking the dog. Help them with all this and get their household running seamlessly.
3. Visit Them with Essentials
Prepare some coffee or meals and visit them at least once a week. While doing this, keep in mind that the cancer patients could end up in fatigue after long hours of doing some activity or even subtle interactions. So, make sure not to stay at their place for long unless asked for.
4. Take the Caregiver’s Place
There is always a primary caregiver for all these patients who would need a break but never ask for it. Take the initiative to give them a break and go to the doctor with the patient for the treatment procedures, help with taking care of the kids and pets, organizing medicines, and everything that the caregiver usually does. This would help take some burden off the caregiver’s shoulders and give them some time to rest and restore the necessary energy.
5. Accompany the Patients to Appointments
Go to the doctor’s appointment with the patient, and drive them to scans and checkups when the treatment is done for the day. Patients would never ask for your help; understand their needs, and do what is required. Also, when you accompany them, you are offering them a ride where he/she can let out the feelings and converse more.
6. Take Notes of the Doctor’s Tips
The patients might forget to take notes during appointments or wouldn’t be able to memorize everything the doctor says. So, make sure that you are listening to all the information that the doctor is providing and note it down.
7. Pray and Stay Connected
One big thing you can do for cancer patients is to pray for their fast recovery. Also, keep in touch with them; contact them and have conversations, but not for long hours.
