A Letter Sample If You Have Been Distant Or Quiet Since The Diagnosis Of Your Close Friend
Dear ______,
You may be wondering why I havent been around lately. I didnt know what to say. For once, I found myself lost for words, and you know how much I can talk. But please know that I have been thinking about you and that you are in my prayers every night.
I read online that writing helps when you dont know what to say. It also says sending words of encouragement for person with cancer can make a difference in how they feel. So I thought Id give this a try. Im not going to pretend that I know what Im saying and I might ramble now and then, but I hope that I can brighten your day even just a little through this letter.
With so much fear in the news today, I thought itll be nice to hear something else for a change. Right now, Im looking outside my window and I see a beautiful white blanket of snow. Its cold and chilly, and I love it. Ive always loved it.
Then I thought about you. You hate snow. You hate going out when you didnt need to. You dont like wearing so many clothes and you hate it the most when days quickly turned to nights. So it made me wonder why youd always agree to meet me for just a cup of coffee, even when its snowing outside.
Then it hit me. Whenever I was down and looking for reasons to complain, you were always there to tell me never to give up. Now, I guess Im returning those words to you.
We also met in winter, do you remember?
Always,
Your Name
Your World Will Crumble
Happy diagnosis day.
Exactly one year ago, you were told the words you never thought you would hear: you have cancer. Your whole world will crumble.
You will have spent the morning in a waiting room with women all at least 20 years older than you. You were sent for test after test, slowly realising that it wasnt going to be good news.
You will have waited for your wonderful husband to drop everything and head straight to meet you so that you didnt have to go through a biopsy, or hear the results, on your own.
Rita Wilson On Breast Cancer: Trust Your Gut Get A Second Opinion
It was pretty shocking news and I was quite freaked out, said Perkins, 40, from Sacramento, California. Everything goes through your mind.
So when she got her treatment plan at Sutter Cancer Center, she was surprised to see a handwritten letter tucked inside the folder.
I didnt open it for a week, I was so overwhelmed, Perkins told TODAY.
It said something like, I know what you are going through and I wish you hope and strength. And I started crying, she said. To get it from a stranger who has no incentive to do that, except from their heart.
Don’t Miss: What Types Of Breast Cancer Are Hereditary
You Will Wonder How This Happened
You are one of the healthiest people you know. You will realise cancer doesnt discriminate.
Your fertility will be taken away from you and the chance to have another child naturally will most likely be gone. But you will start to come to terms with that and realise it could be the opportunity to do something wonderful.
You will feel so alone.
You will feel like you arent supposed to get cancer at 32. There is no one for you to talk to, no one who really gets it.
Then youll meet others, the most amazing, inspirational people who will help you with their incredible support. They will shape your life more than you would ever have thought possible.
Strangers Write 125000 Loving Letters To Breast Cancer Patients By Ellie Prouse
There are a lot of challenges when you are fighting cancer but according to this charity, a letter can help a lot – more than you think. Girls Love Mail is the charity and is a non-profit organisation that ask strangers to write letters that are encouraging and loving to breast cancer patients. The charity launched in August 2011. Since then there have been over 125,000 letters sent to breast cancer patients around the world. Among the countries the letters have been sent to are: USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea, Brazil, UK, Ireland, Australia, Malta, Myanmar, and The Netherlands. Strangers who write the letters range in age from 9 to 90 years old.
One of the patients said “I received a note from a complete stranger and it was so powerful, Now I keep the letter on my nightstand and read it every night before bed to gain strength. Im amazed at the kindness in this world.
Girls Love Mail founder Gina Mulligan says that she got the idea of the charity because in 2009 she had breast cancer. At the time the author was writing a novel that was made up of letters – and she started receiving hand written well-wishes and cards in the mail.
Past studies have shown that positive phrasing can help hospital patients deal with their symptoms and illnesses, so its no stretch of the imagination to believe that reading letters of love could help breast cancer patients heal as well.
Also Check: Is Breast Cancer In Lymph Nodes Metastatic
Lesson Three Stress Less
I promise you, you wont be sweating on the small stuff when you are facing the end of your life.
In the grand scheme of things, missing a day of work because you have a cold is fine. It doesnt matter that you got 69 per cent in an essay instead of 90 per cent. In the long run, no-one looks at your marks.
Working Christmas Eve instead of spending it with family is a really terrible idea. .
A Sample Letter For A Sister Who Has Cancer
Dear ______,
Hello! Starting this letter was the hardest part. I didnt know what to say in the first line and it worried me a lot. But now that Ive already started, that problems done.
When I learned about your diagnosis, I found myself lost for words. Honestly, I didnt know what to say or do so I tried writing instead. I read on the internet that writing can make a person feel different when they read a letter. I am hoping that you would feel a little bit better and that I can brighten your day in some way through my simple ramblings.
I wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this fight and that I am here and always around when you are ready to talk. You are in my thoughts and I pray every day for you to be healthy again soon. May God grant you the strength and courage to win over your fight against cancer.
I cant imagine what you must be feeling right now and this sucks. Im so sorry that you are struggling with this. I also know that nothing I can say will make this all better. But I want you to know that I love you and I support you 100%.
More importantly, I want to help you as much as I can. If you need someone to go with your treatments and doctor appointments, please let me know. Id be more than happy to go with you. I can also do some chores for you or watch your kids for a night if youd like to catch up on some extra rest.
Sending you big hugs, the warmest prayers, and all the love and care in my heart.
Always,
Your Name
Read Also: What Are The Symptoms Of Breast Cancer Recurrence
Risk Factors For Breast Cancer
Several recent studies have focused on identifying factors that may contribute to the current disparities. Socioeconomic status, access to care and late-stage presentation have been considered as a few reasons why African American breast cancer patients experience poor outcomes. Breast cancer is often associated with aggressive cancer subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks three markers associated with breast cancer: estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptors.
Letters:Rail Safety Week a good time to ‘See tracks? Think train!’
As a result, the biology of individual breast cancer cases among African American patients has been considered as one of the predisposing factors for poor outcomes.
These observations suggest a critical need for comprehensive genomic analysis of breast cancer among African Americans vs. white patients to better understand the distinct genomic profile in different ethnic groups. Another measure to increase understanding is encouraging African American breast cancer patients to enroll in clinical trials to benefit from the opportunities of new discoveries.
Lesson Four Dogs Are Awesome
You will make the magical and terrible mistake of buying a puppy two weeks after getting a double mastectomy.
Magical because Dougal is the greatest character ever.
Terrible because you will quickly find out that lifting puppies is difficult post-surgery.
But you will learn that sometimes just cuddling your dog is one of lifes great joys and that, post chemo, having a nice warm body lie with you is just what you need.
You will get your own dog one day. He will be all yours weird and lovely and he will worship the ground you walk on. Hell be your only dog ever and he will be wonderful.
You May Like: Could I Have Breast Cancer
Strangers Write 125000 Loving Letters To Breast Cancer Patients How You Can Join Their Mission
There can be a lot of emotional challenges that come from fighting cancer but according to this charity, a little letter can be a big help in overcoming those obstacles.
Girls Love Mail is a nonprofit that asks strangers to write letters of love and encouragement to breast cancer patients.
Since the charity was launched in August 2011, there have been over 125,000 letters sent to cancer patients around the world. Letter writers have ranged from fourth graders to 90-year-olds across the US, plus Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea, Brazil, UK, Ireland, Australia, Malta, Burma, and The Netherlands.
Regardless of the authors background, the letter recipients have been grateful for the messages of support.
WATCH: Mans Cancer is Healed After Doing Random Acts of Kindness for a Year
I received a note from a complete stranger and it was so powerful, says one patient. Now I keep the letter on my nightstand and read it every night before bed to gain strength. Im amazed at the kindness in this world.
The founder of Girls Love Mail, Gina Mulligan, says that she got the idea for the charity after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. At the time, the author had been working on a novel that was entirely made up of letters and then she started receiving hundreds of hand-written well wishes and cards in the mail.
Letters were all around me, and I realized letters are a precious gift with the power to heal, says Gina.
An Open Letter To A Woman Who Has Breast Cancer
Nov 13, 2015 |
Dear Friend,
I know your world has recently been turned upside down. You can hardly breathe and youre worried about your future and your familys future.
Its possibly youve come to grips with your diagnosis but are recovering from surgery, or going through chemotherapy or radiation.
Regardless of where you are in the journey, this letter is for you.
Today marks two years since I first heard the four words no woman wants to hear: You have breast cancer.
In the cancer world, that makes me a two-year survivor.
During my six months of treatment, there were many breast cancer survivors who had served as my cancer coaches along the journey. They shared their experiences, wisdom, and knowledge.
Over the past two years, Ive had the privilege of doing the same for those coming behind me. Today I want to share some words of encouragement from one survivor to another:
1) This too shall pass. As devastated as you feel right now, I promise this will pass. Your priorities will change and youll gain clarity on whats really important in life. Take one day at a time and when that is too much, take one hour or even one minute at a time. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and calm your anxious heart.
4) Accept help. You dont have the energy you usually have. Let others grocery shop, cook, clean, and help with kids if they offer. If they dont offer, ask for what you need. You are not putting people outyou are helping them help you. .
Love,
You May Like: Do Breast Implants Increase Your Risk Of Cancer
Writing An Encouraging Letter To Someone With Cancer
When a friend or family member is diagnosed with cancer, its hard to know what to do to help them. There are so many practical ways you can step up and show that you care. You can organize a meal train so their family doesnt have to worry about planning or making meals.
Jump ahead to these sections:
You can drive them to treatments. You can volunteer to babysit their kids. But sometimes the best thing you can do is help encourage them. We all need to hear uplifting words when were struggling through something like a major illness.
A positive message for cancer patients is always appreciated. One great way to achieve this is by writing an encouraging letter. Here, we break down the steps of writing a letter to uplift and empower a cancer patient in your life. Well also include a few sample letters to inspire you to craft a letter of your own.
Cry If You Need To But Laugh When You Can
Dale Barnes, 72, began her career as an oncology nurse in the 80s and now works as a certified legal nurse consultant and a clinical educator at a home healthcare agency. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014.
Before her illness, Barnes thought she understood what it was like to have cancer. It turned out she was wrong.
I thought I really got it, but I really didnt, she said. Not until I went through it myself.
Over the course of her treatment, Barnes found herself pushing away well-meaning friends who showered her with sympathy. It was the people who said, Poor Dale, poor Dale, she said. I didnt want any of that.
She also bristled when people told her how brave she was.
I wanted to gag, she said. This isnt about being brave. You have a choice: you can break down and wallow in misery, or you can put one foot in front of another and move forward.
What she did value was being supported by those who knew firsthand what she was experiencing, especially other cancer patients she met in support groups.
I met people I probably would never ever have met, she said. And that was a real gift in my life.
So when the chaplain at Simms/Mann asked if she would contribute a letter, she instantly said, Yes.
I would gladly help anyone who is going through what I went through, she said. And at this point, I know what not to say.
The letter flowed right out of her.
I know the first day of chemo can be daunting. I was there….
Also Check: What Age Group Does Breast Cancer Affect
Encouraging Messages For A Family Member With Breast Cancer
Breast cancer patients often feel like they have to put on a brave face to the world around them. Its around their family members that they may allow themselves to be more vulnerable.
You can pay them back for that level of trust by listening to their concerns and validating them. But you can also build them back up with powerful messages of strength.
4. Today is such an important day! Im so proud of you for making it through all of your chemotherapy treatments. I know they were absolutely grueling. I wish you didnt have to endure them but you have persevered and you deserve to celebrate your success.
When a patient hits a milestone like completing treatment, that deserves to be celebrated. Send an encouraging message to congratulate your family member on his accomplishments. Hell find your enthusiasm rewarding and energizing.
5. Mom, I have always looked up to you so much. Watching the way you have fought breast cancer has been incredibly inspirational. Youve always been so strong and such a fighter. As always, youve proven that theres no situation that you cant handle.
Moms are the people who take care of us. When they get a serious illness, it can be incredibly frightening. Let your mom know that you have always admired the way she fights. It will give her the strength to keep fighting through this.
Encouraging Messages For Someone With Breast Cancer
About 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2020, according to the American Cancer Society. But there are lots of reasons to have hope there are currently more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone.
Jump ahead to these sections:
If you have a loved one with breast cancer, there is no shortage of inspirational words you can say. Here are some encouraging quotes and messages for breast cancer patients.
Recommended Reading: Is Stage 2 Breast Cancer Considered Early Stage
Direct Reporting Of Mammography Results To Women
The Mammography Quality Standards Act requires that “a summary of the written report shall be sent directly to the patient in terms easily understood by a lay person.” This applies to every patient who receives a mammogram, not only self-referred patients. Failure to comply with this reporting requirement will result in a citation by FDA inspectors. Furthermore, “facilities must provide a summary of the results of the mammographic examination written in lay terms to all patients within 30 days.”
The lay letter need only be a summary. It must be a written summary, however a phone call or verbal communication are not sufficient. A summary regarding abnormal results must give clear direction about the appropriate steps to be taken by the patient.
The ACR recommends that you send the official interpretation to the referring provider prior to sending a lay summary report to the patient. However, BI-RADS® category 4, “Suspicious Abnormality-Biopsy Should be Considered” and category 5, “Highly Suggestive of Malignancy-Appropriate Action Should be Taken” should also be conveyed by phone to the referring physician or primary healthcare provider immediately.
The ACR encourages you to share samples of your lay summary reports with your referring physicians or primary health care providers. These steps, along with an effective communication system and policy, will foster a team approach to patient care.