You don’t want to overwhelm them or make them feel burdened, but you also don’t want to make light of the situation. This comment puts more stress on them to find some way you can help. How to help a loved one with cancer Oct. 14, 2014 05:47. 12. 27. 05 “My dearest Mary, this is such terrible news to receive. If they don’t want to talk, don’t force the issue. Then, write a sincere thank-you to your recipient for making your life a better one. Cancer. • Don’t say the patient is lucky to have one kind of cancer rather than another, which downplays what the person is going through. I am praying for healing, peace, comfort, and encouragement. Just try to have a natural conversation. 2 min read. Doctor: "i'm sorry to say you've got lung cancer." Your loved one probably does, too. It sucks. The only thing I know more stubborn than cancer is you. You look fantastic! Understand that a cancer patient is likely too overwhelmed to ask what they need; take the initiative by offering specifics, instead of saying, "Let me know if there's anything I can do for you." Remember that most cancer patients don’t want to be treated differently just because they have cancer. I read that kelp/almonds/asparagus have magical anti-cancer properties. 'I'm here for you': What to say (and not say) to a cancer patient. "I am here for you." “You know they’re going through hard times, but you don’t know their state of mind,” Blake says. 13. My doctor says I’m malnourished. With that in mind, it’s often a good idea to keep your message general. Not everyone gets it. 19 Mar 2015. Cancer happens. I’ve had people tell me I “gave myself cancer” because of one thing or another. Things I Want to Say To My Patients But I Can't: Notebook, Funny Quote Journal - Humorous, funny gag gifts for Doctors Some Awesome Things To Say To A Cancer Patient. You are the bravest person I have ever met. Don’t lose hope, you are on the right path to recovery. Doctor: "Yeah, pranked you, the cancer's in your pancreas." What do Cancer, Love and dark jokes have in common? Visit them in the hospital. Don't ever forget that. If cancer gets talked about, great, if not, that's great too. Stay in the Picture. 8 Things Never To Say To A Cancer Patient. In fact, I had a funny patient quote just the other day. 11. Maybe the only thing more devastating than receiving your diagnosis is having to tell your friends and family members, and bracing yourself for all of the well-meaning, yet totally hurtful things they are going to say. Normal. You don't look that sick.” "Just live in the moment." As a cancer and later chemo-brain patient, I appreciated when someone would say "you inspire me." You’ve lost so much weight. You’re strong and I know you can beat this. Just hope I find things like this funny as my Journey continues . Doctor: "Sorry to say it because it's not true, lol April Fools!" Keep the focus, do not think about what people will say, let cancer be a thing of the past. You are loved. That means funny patient quotes are bound to happen. “There was a little hard pellet inside my mouth and I think maybe it was my ovary.” 24. You are my hero. Cancer never ends nicely. Oct. 14, 2014, 2:02 PM UTC. Sure, people who say this are often just trying to put a positive spin on a bad situation, playing up what they feel is the “fun” part of breast cancer (as if any part of cancer could be “fun”). You will overcome this cancer and we will rejoice together. It's easy to lose the perspective of a lay person. One of the things that really stood out was that people really wanted this information; they desperately wanted to know what to say at such a critical time in a person's life. Sometimes patients say the funniest things. Patient: [angry] "What the hell?" “Really you have cancer? Then follow … Try to think about how they impacted your life for the better. 9. If you don’t know what to say, that’s also OK -- they might not, either. But one of the things that going through a crisis does - it enables you to deepen your relationships. Breast cancer patients already have so much to think about. “I didn’t actually fall. I am praying for you in many ways. 469 posts since . 22. Remember to still be there a few months after the diagnosis, when it's not so new anymore. Are you going to be disappointed in me if I die? And you can’t always know how a person going through cancer is feeling. What to Say to a Cancer Patient "We'll get through this together. Things I Want to Say To My Patients But I Can't: Notebook, Funny Quote Journal - Humorous, funny gag gifts for Doctors, Nurses, Medical assistant -Appreciation or Thank you gift [LOL Journals] on Amazon.com. But putting pen to paper and writing some comforting words for someone with cancer is a simple way to provide support; even from a distance. You are always in my prayers. by Virginia C. McGuire. Here are some tips, directly from cancer survivors on our Facebook page, on certain phrases and expressions that may not come across as helpful. Image via Flickr with modifications. 25 Oct 2015 15:06 in response to tom5656. This phrase promotes encouragement by being honest about the issue at hand. “I am scheduled to have an autopsy (biopsy) in the morning.” 25. Perhaps we need to educate people on how to respond to cancer sufferers too. When people responded to me in a more appropriate manner, it made such a big difference in how they made me feel on the loss of my son. One of the most meaningful things you can say to someone at the end of their life is, “Thank you.” As you’re writing the letter, reflect back on your relationship with this person. Try to be funny or avoid making jokes altogether? You're not facing cancer alone." Let the patient decide if they want to talk about it. Thanks for noticing! Thanks for noticing! It's one of your best qualities, and it's your secret weapon. What Not to Say to a Cancer Patient . These questions are normal. Knowing the right thing to say when you find out your loved one has cancer can be challenging. Days can seem very long when you’re hospitalized, and a short visit from a friend or family member can make a big difference. I think I can speak freely for all terminal cancer patients when I say that we spend a lot of time thinking about death. Therefore you don't actually have to ask about football -- just ask about something normal. You want to be careful not to overstate or overpromise things you can’t control, because that can come across as inauthentic. While most people mean well and have great intentions, finding the right words to say to a cancer patient can be challenging. Patient when asked about her chief complaints: “Well, my hair hurts.” Related article: 25 Funniest Things Doctors Say or Write. by Virginia C. McGuire. Gralow, too, has heard similar memes from her patients. All breast cancer patients will need to think about what will happen to them as their illness advances. What do kids with cancer and dark humor have in common? In fact, it happens to over 38% of the world’s population.Almost every adult in the world has had a family member or friend who has dealt with cancer. Here's the number: 1-877-632-6789." 23. What to Say to a Cancer Patient eBook Learn what to say (and what not to say) to a cancer patient. Here's what they recommend. 10 Things You Should Never Say to a Cancer Patient By LRG Team | 2019-09-20T14:43:59-04:00 August 18th, 2014 | News , Patient Support | A recent article in Woman’s Day provides valuable insight into how to reach out to someone when you learn they have been diagnosed with cancer. It's almost enough to feel like winning the lottery to a cancer patient. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sometimes it can be easier to know the right things to say than what not to say. "Go to MD Anderson. Report this post; Reply; Pauline4. If you […] The last thing we need is additional blame and shame from self-righteous souls who think they’ve cracked the code on our cancer. 10. You look fantastic! We recently asked the cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in our Facebook community to share the best things to say to someone with cancer. 25 Oct 2015 15:06 Funny Responses when told you have Cancer. Still, there are a few things to avoid: Don’t make it about you or compare it to something you have been through. It can be hard to know what to say to someone with cancer. “You could sign the card, ‘With many blessings,’ or ‘may all good things under heaven be yours.’” You might be surprised by some of the things people say to cancer patients, but indeed the wrong things get said every day. By By Dale Atkins. You do not have to go through anything alone. Send fun or silly treats in the mail. You might find the thought of cancer overwhelming, and that’s OK. "I will never say having cancer was such a gift, because having cancer sucks. Patient: [tearing up] "oh god, no!" In order to help people who have just been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to think about the whole process that they’ll be going through. As a medical profession, we are around the lingo day in and day out. Don't get too caught up in trying to say the right thing. You’ve lost so much weight. In fact, open up every conversation with something normal. Patients have good days and bad days. "I am praying for you." 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