Comforting a terminally ill cancer patient be as simple as just spending time with that person.
Approximately 3.5 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2010, according to cancer.org. The survival rate varies on the person and type of cancer. Although many people will battle and beat cancer, many others will be considered terminally ill, meaning the patient will die as a result of the cancer. Knowing support a terminally ill patient is difficult, and the type of support a terminally ill patient needs will vary by the patient.
Instructions
1. Offer to listen and hear what the patient has to say. Avoid being judgmental, and prepare to hear a variety of emotions, including anger and frustration.
2. Ask the patient what he needs or what would make him more comfortable. Perhaps this is music, special books or a visit from a certain person. Try to meet any requests the patient has. If a request is not possible to fill, ask the patient if there is anything else you can do as a substitute.
3. Arrange to help the immediate family. Perhaps the spouse could benefit from having meals prepared and brought to him so he can be at his wife's bedside. Child care might be needed. Reducing stress from the patient's loved ones can also reduce the cancer victim's stress.
4. Offer to record messages for the patient. Some patients might wish to leave a video message for young children, unborn grandchildren or others, which could be nothing more than a legacy of who he is.
5. Be present. If your friend or loved one is afraid to die, be there for her. If you can't be present, arrange for others to sit with her through her fear. You can only do so much and be there so much, but your presence or the presence of another person can be very comforting to a terminally ill cancer patient.
6. Incorporate things the patient likes into visits. If the patient loves flowers, bring in fresh flowers for a visit. If the patient loves a certain cookie, bring this if it's allowed. If the patient loves to read but no longer can, bring a book on CD for her to listen to.
7. Offer comfort and as much understanding as possible. Don't pretend to understand what the patient is going through. You haven't died, and left loved ones so you don't know what it is like to face certain death. Hugs and even holding a hand might bring the patient much comfort.
Tags: patient loves, cancer patient, loved ones, support terminally patient, terminally cancer patient