Melanin & Pink Ribbons

Once a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer the shock often leaves family, friend, and others in their life at a loss as how to help. Hopefully this post will give you some tools to be a helpmate to your loved one.

• LISTEN – Be a sounding board for the patient. Do more listening than talking and be encouraging without making promises. Don’t promise it will all be “ok” because it may cause more harm than good. Things being “ok” is relative to each person and medical outcomes are not in our control, so it’s more effective to be positive and supportive.
• ERRANDS – Everyday needs once very easy to accomplish and independently can become a challenge. Assisting with tasks such as grocery shopping, a ride to the doctor or picking up medicine from the pharmacy are all helpful to a breast cancer patient and I know would be very much appreciated.
• DAILY NEEDS – Depending on you close you are to the person and your comfort level, preparing meals and laundry can be overwhelming. These are just 2 examples of how the help with daily needs and I am sure your loved one can articulate more specific ones.
• PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY – When chemotherapy is in the treatment plan a range of symptoms are sure to appear in some manner one of which is nausea. There are a few tools to help combat such as chewing gums, mints, ginger or peppermint tea or an anti-nausea bracelet. Other remedies for various symptoms include lip balm is helpful for dry/chapped lips and a scarf or headwrap is helpful for warmth as well as the woman feeling presentable in public. To help skin dyrness hand lotion is good and light activities including magazines, books or music provide a diversion. Lastly a picture or object that provides strength for example a family picture or religious book/item can be inspirational.

Robin Roberts said, “It’s about focusing on the fight and not the fright.” Let this sentiment guide you as you strive to aid your loved one. With the holidays coming up a basket of these items would be an appropriate gift. Let your heart and mind work together to guide you as you help your loved on the road to recovery.