Hearing that a loved one was diagnosed with cancer can stop you in your tracks. You may not know what to say or how to cope.
Here are a few things you can do to support a loved one with cancer or another serious diagnosis:
1. Listen intently.
Picture yourself in that situation and think about the feelings you'd have if you had just been diagnosed. Listen and acknowledge if you don't know what to say. Don't feel like you have to fill the air. Less is more. Sometimes when a moment feels awkward, we'll reach for a platitude like, "it'll all be okay" -- but resist the urge even though you may think you're being helpful. It can be powerful to simply say, "I'm so sorry to hear the news. I don't know what to say in this moment, but I'm here to listen."
2. Offer specific support, and often.
Don't pretend you know what they need. Try asking a simple question like, "is there anything I can do for you today?" and ask this on a regular basis. Many people find it hard to request help, so keep asking.
3. Continue showing up for them.
There's not a one-size-fits-all way to respond when someone you know is diagnosed with cancer. You may mess up along the way and say the wrong thing, but keep showing up. Stay longer than you think you might need because it can be a long journey. Stick around. That's the most important thing.
If you or a loved one are navigating a difficult diagnosis, Summus can help. Reach out through your Summus dashboard to get started.