Making The
Most Of Today —
Supporting A Loved
One With Cancer
Cancer is a disease that touches
almost everyone, whether it’s a
close relative, friend, or one of
your children’s teachers. If you
find yourself faced with a loved
one suffering with cancer, there
are things you can do to support
them through their journey.
While each person’s needs will
be different, the following tips
will give you a starting point as
you struggle with how to react
36 — iPain Living Magazine
and what to say in the face of
such distressing news.
Listen
A cancer diagnosis is not only
devastating, but confusing and
full of mixed emotions. Someone
who has cancer may wonder
what they did to cause it and
wonder if it’s worse than their
doctor has explained. There will
be a million questions running
through their mind at all times
and even more doubts about their
future. Listen to their concerns
and offer your support, not your
advice. One Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center social
worker notes that simply listen-
by Scott Sanders