How to Help a Parent Undergoing Cancer Treatment
October 25, 2010 4 Comments
I am teaming up with Dionna of Code Name: Mama and Sarah, who writes at Balancing and who authored What Not to Say for a four part series in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Today, Dionna is writing about "how to help a parent who is undergoing cancer treatment." Please stop by to both get ideas on how to help someone you love who is struggling with a serious illness, and leave your own suggestions of how people can help. Come back all week for more: on Tuesday, Sarah is writing about how to talk to young children about cancer; on Wednesday, I am writing about what to say* (and what not to say) to those who are newly diagnosed with cancer; and on Thursday, visit Code Name: Mama for an interview with the Executive Direction of Cleaning for a Reason.
*This is not to say that I have received anything but the most thoughtful comments. However, the entire situation has made me rethink things that I may have said in the past or might have considered in the future, had I not had this experience with breast cancer. Any and all support I have received has been truly appreciated!
What a great idea! During the early days of Pudding’s A-word diagnosis, our friends didn’t know what to say or do, and I wasn’t able to tell them. It is hard to offer comfort when you haven’t experienced the same thing, and we don’t want to say or do anything to make it more painful. Can’t wait to read your piece.
Wouldn’t life be fabulous if we had a script that would let us know the perfect things to say at the perfect moment?
I can’t wait to read your post.
This is a wonderful idea. Like many people I want to be supportive and encouraging, but don’t always know what is helpful or just simply insensitive. I look forward to reading more.
Jen, I just caught up on your blog having been on holiday for a week. I have to say thank you for writing about such a personal and difficult time for you and your family. It’s really opened a whole new understanding for me about what breast cancer is and does to the people diagnosed and their families. I think it’s hard when your an outsider looking in on cancer and not really understanding…anything really. You have told such a powerful story thus far and I am looking forward to experiencing your struggle and triumph right along with you. Thanks for sharing with all of us. I have been thinking of you often and saying little prayers here and there. We don’t know one another but it doesn’t matter. I’m still pulling for you!