Short and to the point this fine Spring morning. As someone battling head and neck cancer, it is so important and comforting to realize that your support, or what I call your ‘home team’ is behind you as a cancer survivor.
There are those who are undergoing their beginning journey being diagnosed with cancer without family members or close fiends to assist in day to day tasks. These folks are sometimes out of reach of these large national programs. They simply fall through the cracks or are too ill to respond themselves. There are a lot of national, statewide, regional and local cancer groups that promote runs, walks, swims and other outings which help raise money for research and awareness. Thankfully, they are making a difference. On a person-to-person level however, one can make a HUGE difference in the life of a cancer patient by helping out with the little things.
If a cancer survivor cannot get into an immediate financial aid or funding stream, they are going to need help with some common sense, pedestrian chores that will cost you, the friend or care giver, very little. Here is a short list for what you can do for someone who is battling cancer or any other complexity:
1. Acknowledge them! Don’t Shun Them – cancer is not that person, no their ‘fault’. Call and say hello, smile and let them know that they have not been removed from your circle.
2. Ask if you can do some chores. "Hey, I’m going by the grocery store, post office, church, mosque, synagogue, pharmacy, wanna come along, or can I bring you something back?" That is BIG.
3. If you are a nurturer, plan on cooking a dietary compatible meal for the cancer patient. Ask what they can tolerate and are allowed by their oncologist/PCP to have.
4. Doing laundry? See if you can clean house, help take out trash or generally assist with the cancer patient’s laundry, dry cleaning or clothing donations.
5. Make a phone call or send e-mail IM/text/Twitter them! The computer makes a wonderful social companion to those who are dealing with cancer, serious disease or complexity. There might be a window of time each day or week where the patient can get online-it would be nice to have some positivity directed their way!
Operate in love, not out of fear and you will be surprised how easy it is to be positive, helpful and on the path to your purpose. Learn more about your true nature and staying creative in complexity at the Psiplex blog: http://www.psiplex.com
One Love
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