Finding out that your loved one has cancer and has to go through chemotherapy is one of the most disheartening news to ever hear. Often, it can even leave you wondering what you can do to help them out. There’s no easy way for anyone to go through chemotherapy, so that means they’ll certainly appreciate even the smallest drop of love, support, and care that you can give.
So perhaps that’s why you’re reading this. While you’re certain to offer all your support, you may also be left with the question as to how you can give it to your loved one going through chemotherapy at home in Victoria or anywhere else. What do they need? What is it that you can do to make them feel better and lighter?
This article is here to give you some insights.
1. Take Time To Prepare Yourself
If this is your very first time ever having a friend or loved one going through chemotherapy, it’s a good starting point to prepare yourself first for that meeting. The more emotionally and psychologically prepared you are, the better you can support your loved ones for what they’re going through.
Remember that because they’re going through chemotherapy, they may not have the same energy and glee anymore as they’ve had in the past. You should be ready to adjust to the emotional and mental changes they may be experiencing because of the effects of the therapy.
With that said, here are some of the best ways you can prepare yourself before meeting with, or showing some empathy to a loved one going through chemotherapy:
- Put yourself in your sick loved one’s shoes, by remembering how scared you may have been in the past when you were sick too – be it cancer or not;
- Process your own feelings first, so your emotions don’t get the best of you.
2. Take Care Of Their Grocery Shopping
One of the side effects that a patient goes through chemotherapy is experiencing dizziness, nausea, and that feeling of exhaustion in between each session. If they live on their own, chances are, they’re going to experience inherent challenges and difficulty doing their errands like grocery shopping while going through the session.
You can offer to do these things for them. You don’t necessarily have to pay for their groceries. But, before your own grocery runs out, ask them for a list of what it is they need. That way, you can do their grocery as well.
This simple act of thoughtfulness actually goes a long way in taking a huge load off their physical chores and errands. Because chemotherapy may physically weaken their body, they may no longer have enough strength to do exhausting and time-consuming tasks on their own.
3. Prepare A Personalized Care Package
Another thoughtful way to show your support to a loved one going through chemotherapy is to regularly send a personalized care package. This can be a basket full of goods like healthy snacks, fruits, and other items that you know your loved one will appreciate through their journey.
4. Ask Permission Before Visiting
While it may be in your best intention to visit your loved one, perhaps for them, the time you have in mind is a wrong time. There may be days when your loved ones just want to be alone to relax or sleep. Or, perhaps they don’t want to talk to anyone just yet.
In those days, don’t force it. Patients going through chemotherapy still need to feel as if they have some control and autonomy over their lives. Give them the space they need, if they want a few days off to sleep or relax.
This is the reason why it’s always a good idea to ask permission first before visiting. That way, you’re sure not to be visiting at the wrong time.
5. Help Keep Their Household Running
Apart from the groceries, there are other facets of running a household they may need help. Especially if your loved one is also a parent, they’ll surely need the help for school runs, cooking, and even cleaning the house.
Whenever you have the time, lend a helping hand. It may only seem like a simple thing for you, but for patients going through the side effects of chemotherapy, that’s a big enough support. If you can’t do this yourself and you have some cash to spare, you can also go the extra mile by hiring a cleaner to help out with the chores.
Conclusion
Patients who are going through chemotherapy often go through this procedure as an outpatient. This means that in between each session, they’ll be able to go home for as long as they don’t have any medical need that necessitates a stay in the hospital. This means you have a lot of opportunities to show them love and care.
While you may be daunted by the prospect of giving support during this very trying time, take heed of the tips above. Remember, you don’t always have to do anything grand. Even the smallest tricks are enough to make a significant difference in making your loved one’s challenging days of chemotherapy smoother.
