iPain Living Magazine—37
ing is the most meaningful
action you can take.
Don’t Act As If The
Cancer Doesn’t
Exist, But Don’t
Dwell On It Either
It may feel as though you are
walking on eggshells, and
talking about your loved one’s
condition may be uncomfortable.
However, it’s now a major
part of their life. Don’t try
to change the subject if they
mention it, but don’t be afraid
to make plans that have nothing
to do with the disease with
your friend. For instance, if
you previously enjoyed getting
massages together, ask if
they feel well enough to continue
your tradition.
Help Them Stay
Comfortable
One thing is universally true
with cancer: it hurts. The
Journal of the National Cancer
Institute explains that
there are different types of
pain, but pain associated with
cancer is “particularly vicious.”
With this in mind,
look for ways to help your
loved one manage their discomfort.
They will likely be
provided with pain medication
from their oncologist, but it
isn’t always enough, and may
not be effective on its own.
Gift them warm blankets and
fuzzy socks as well as books
and movies to direct their attention
away from the pain. If
possible, and with their permission,
create a comfortable
space where they can reflect
and meditate. HomeAdvisor
suggests finding a room away
from the main living area of
the home. An area with a view
of the outside world is best.
Meditation can help ease the
burden of pain and lessen its
sensation. It’s a powerful palliative
tool that has been used
for decades to supplement radiation,
chemotherapy, and
other traditional cancer treatment
methods.
Offer to Run
Errands or Help
Around The House
Cancer treatment takes time,
and often, a patient’s home is
the first area that this imbalance
of time is felt. Dishes
may go unwashed, weeds allowed
to grow in flower beds,
and laundry dropped in piles
throughout the house. Other
daily activities, such as grocery
shopping and picking
children up from school, may
also be a burden in between
doctors visits and trying to
recover from fatigue. Offer to
pick up the slack in the form
of practical help. Small gestures,
such as mowing the
lawn or cleaning the kitchen,
can be a huge help. A side
note: Your loved one may
have become sensitive to
harsh cleaning chemicals, so
use unscented or natural
cleaners if possible.
It can be difficult for friends
and family members to know
how to react when a loved one
is told they have cancer. The
worst thing you can do, however,
is to ignore the facts or
make cancer the only topic of
conversation. Listen to their
concerns, and be there when
they need help.
Hopefully, they will recover
and have the chance to leave
this experience behind them.