Despite medical breakthroughs and longer life expectancy, many diagnoses are still frightening. And it can be hard to know how to communicate with a patient and their loved ones. That’s what happened to a friend. Her best friend’s mom was diagnosed and treated for cancer. Things were on an even keel and then the cancer came back. The best friend isn’t willing to discuss it and my friend wonders what’s appropriate to say or do for the mom? When you don’t know how things stand and someone isn’t open to discussing it, what are your options?
A personal note is a kind and nonintrusive way to let someone know you care. It gives you the ability to reach out and allows the patient the opportunity to decide whether they want to pursue any further contact. Whatever the outcome, you’ve delivered your message.
So what do you say to someone dealing with a difficult illness? You say you care, for example:
Dear Mrs. Peters,
I’ve thought of you often these last few months. I haven’t wanted to intrude, but wanted you to know how much I care for you. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope for the very best outcome.
With much warmth,
Cindy
Robbie Miller Kaplan is an author who writes from a unique perspective as a mother who has lost two children. She has written How to Say It When You Don't Know What to Say, a guide to help readers communicate effectively when those they care about experience loss, now available as e-books for "Illness & Death," "Suicide," "Miscarriage," "Death of a Child," "Death of a Stillborn or Newborn Baby," "Pet Loss," "Caregiver Responsibilities," "Divorce" and "Job Loss." All titles are in Amazon's Kindle Store
A personal note is a kind and nonintrusive way to let someone know you care. It gives you the ability to reach out and allows the patient the opportunity to decide whether they want to pursue any further contact. Whatever the outcome, you’ve delivered your message.
So what do you say to someone dealing with a difficult illness? You say you care, for example:
Dear Mrs. Peters,
I’ve thought of you often these last few months. I haven’t wanted to intrude, but wanted you to know how much I care for you. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope for the very best outcome.
With much warmth,
Cindy
Robbie Miller Kaplan is an author who writes from a unique perspective as a mother who has lost two children. She has written How to Say It When You Don't Know What to Say, a guide to help readers communicate effectively when those they care about experience loss, now available as e-books for "Illness & Death," "Suicide," "Miscarriage," "Death of a Child," "Death of a Stillborn or Newborn Baby," "Pet Loss," "Caregiver Responsibilities," "Divorce" and "Job Loss." All titles are in Amazon's Kindle Store
RSS Feed
