How to Give Hope to a Loved One Who Has Cancer

A loved one recently diagnosed with a form of cancer offers too much of an emotional challenge for other family members to overcome. The treatment process alone can be grueling and anyone who has gone through it will agree with how much it affects daily life. This difficult time requires everyone to contribute to providing hope. It’s easy to rely on modern medical technology for treatment, but encouragement is just as important.

You have a crucial role to play in helping your loved one overcome the emotional stress that results from a cancer diagnosis. It may seem difficult to accept at first but it pays to know that every effort you put in no matter how small can make a big difference in the battle against the disease. Success is a matter of knowing how to give them hope. Here’s a guide you can get started with:

1. Understand the emotional impact

Facing such a life-threatening disease as cancer can lead to a whirlwind of thoughts in anyone. It gets stressful as feelings of guilt, anger, shame, and sadness set in, complicating a patient’s ability to make decisions or even cooperate with their treatment plan. As an immediate caregiver, you should know that these are only part of the emotional effects of what they’re going through.

It can get frustrating on your part but recognizing mood swings and bouts of depression can help you manage the way you interact with the patient. If anything, you’re also a part of their emotional journey and you have a role to play in assuring them that you’re there with them for the long haul.

2. Show empathy through actions and words

When it comes to giving emotional support, telling a loved one with cancer that everything’s going to be alright won’t do any good. It only downplays the emotions that they’re feeling. Real empathy is best shown through your presence alone, the words you say, and the things you do. When you see them sob, place a hand over their back or give them a tight hug without saying a word.

You can also encourage them by suggesting activities you can do together that can help keep their minds busy. The best way you can show your support is by listening to what they say. You may not get a response but allowing them to pour out all their emotions makes for a meaningful connection, which enables them to feel less lonely.

3. Talk to people who have undergone the same

It’s always a good idea to seek advice from people who have experienced the same type of cancer. This would be ideal if you feel as though the situation is also putting too much emotional baggage on your part. Talk to people such as mesothelioma survivors, and those who are still undergoing treatment.

Ask about their experiences and how they kept themselves from losing hope. You can also talk about the ways their loved ones have helped them pull through so you can apply the same in your situation. It pays to have a support system that understands what you’re going through and helps to lighten the challenges you’re facing.

4. Encourage other family members

Keep in mind that helping a loved one emotionally in their battle with cancer isn’t a solo journey. You also have friends and family members who love them as much as you do. It pays to work together to create a more supportive environment that aids in their treatment and recovery. Use this moment to mend any broken relationships you’ve had to show how willing you are to help.

Endnote

We can always depend on chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment, but it’s always hope that gives cancer patients a fighting chance. Provide your loved one with that as they take on this emotional journey made lighter by your support.

Nanny to Mommy