My best friend was diagnosed with cancer. I want to be there for her as much as I can but I also don't want to be too in her face. Any advice on how to best show my support for her?
My best friend was diagnosed with cancer. I want to be there for her as much as I can but I also don't want to be too in her face. Any advice on how to best show my support for her?
Ask her what she wants. Tell her you will be there for her in any capacity that she needs/wants.
Thank you
Eventually you might have to drive her to treatments or appointments. Just let her know you're there for her then back off and continue to have the same friendship as before the diagnosis. Dont bring it up, act differently or look at her differently . Let her take the lead.
Ok, good advice. Thanks
Molly, I am so sorry to hear that - I hope that they have a good outcome. One thing I’ve heard from others who have had serious illness is that they really appreciated people just stepping up and doing things to help, rather than making them ask for it - things like organizing your other friends to bring them meals, or booking a house cleaner to come and help them one day, or bringing over a bunch of movies to watch. It is hard for many people to ask for help, especially when they are feeling awful - so think about what would make you feel comforted and supported and proactively do those things. I would also let your friend know that if they want to talk about their illness and the emotions surrounding it, that you are up for those hard conversations, too - it’s up to them if or how much they want to take you up on it, but let them know you’re not afraid to work through those scary times by their side. Good luck to you both.
Thanks so much for your response!
My boyfriend's sister had a boyfriend who was diagnosed with cancer, she then broke up with him. She is a terrible person.
Molly,
I am a current cancer patient. I would say everyone is different. I was more then willing to talk about my disease. In fact I found it a stress relief. So you might just ask how she feels, and would she like to talk about it. I can tell you this, waiting to get the plan for treatment is the worst feeling. The unknown. Once I began treatment I had a sense of relief, in that I was moving forward. At the present I am on routine tests every three months. I feel the same fear each time I wait for the results of the tests. Then relief, and again moving forward. I would assume most of us in a similar circumstance would ride that same emotional roller coaster.
Igy
I would tell her to stay far away from the doctors and their dangerous toxic treatments.
Almost all of the people I've known who did the medical treatments have died because of them.
Everyone I know who was diagnosed with cancer who eschewed the toxic treatments and who focused on getting rid of it with healthy diets and habits have continued to live healthy lives and have NOT died nor been hospitalized due to cancer.
Igy, thank you for responding and for sharing your experience thus far. I want to wish you a very speedy recovery and may u have the strength to kick cancers butt!!! When my friend broke the news to me we both cried a lot. Now, I just take her lead and she knows I’m there for her if she needs to talk. She just had surgery and will be starting treatment next week. May you only hear good news!