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What To Get Someone With Breast Cancer

Don’t Demand Time Or Attention

‘Shock’ breast cancer diagnosis prompts call for younger people to get tested | ABC News

“Sometimes I just need to rest. Cancer is tiring. Also, I have certain things I want to achieve while I’m ableif I die I want to be able to say I did it! Of course, friendships are important, but I cannot be all things to all people at all times.” Leighah Beadle-Darcy

Don’t insist on seeing someone every time you drop off food or give their kiddos a ride. Even if you feel especially close to the individual, it’s best to check in with them before a visit. Simply send a text and ask, “Are you feeling up to a short visit today? If not, that’s okay. I’m here for you no matter what!”

What Are Some Encouraging Words That I Can Write To A Friend With Cancer

After youre past the first line, dive straight into the main part of your letter. Alison and Brian recommend that you begin by choosing a topic to write about, as this will make your letter-writing feel less intimidating.

It may be office gossip for a work colleague, stories from the school gates, or family updates, write Alison and Brian. No matter the subject, anecdotes of everyday life connect the reader back with the real world and this can be a pleasant change for people who are spending lots of time at home in bed, or travelling to and from the hospital.

Once youve chosen a topic, get writing! Feel free to provide lots of detail, and bring your reader along with you! Its fun to read about the little details of others lives even for a few brief minutes.

If youre stuck for topics, you could write about nature , childhood recollections, or shared stories that your reader will appreciate. Even small observations can really help to draw your reader out of their day-to-day routine and give them pause to think and reflect.

Gift Ideas For Breast Cancer Patients

About the Author: I found a lump in my breast the month after my 24th birthday. As I was about to go in for my lumpectomy/biopsy that I pushed so hard for, I was once again assured that I’d feel “better” once it was gone and that they were sure it was benign since I was young, healthy, very low risk and had minimal family history… Turns out I had Stage 2 Breast Cancer – with invasion of the lymph nodes, diagnosed 10/2/2017. Terrified, but determined to fight as hard as possible, I underwent an eight-hour bi-lateral mastectomy with immediate reconstructive surgery 2 months later, six months of Chemotherapy including Cytoxan, Adriamycin and Taxol, 33 rounds of Radiation, and am taking Tamoxifen daily & having Lupron injections monthly for 5-10 years to prevent recurrence. I will be 1-year cancer-free in September.

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Distract Me With Little Surprises

“At some point I must’ve told one of my co-workers about how when I was a child and I’d get sick my mother would always buy me a little gift,” recalls Aimee Johnson, 46, executive director of the Alabama arm of the American Diabetes Association. So, the first time she went to chemotherapy, Johnson’s staff had a little present for her. “And then every time I went to chemo, there was a giftNetflix to watch or a book to read while I was there,” she says. “Or flowers to take home.” A friend of Victoria Irwin’s bought her tickets to a concert series. “That was her gift to methe gift of distraction from treatment. Otherwise my days would have revolved around radiation in the morning,” Irwin says. “The little distractions help you feel normal.”

Inspirational Quotes For Cancer Patients

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Sometimes circumstances might call for something a bit more intense than a basic positive message intended to reassure. An inspirational quote from a celebrity or other high profile individual might be just what someone you care about who has cancer needs to hear. These can be good messages for cards, notes or letters, as well as for in-person conversations.

  • You cant be brave if youve only had wonderful things happen to you.
  • Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. Lance Armstrong
  • Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today, let us begin. Mother Teresa
  • Cancer is not a death sentence, but rather it is a life sentence it pushes one to live.
  • Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement nothing can be done without hope. Helen Keller
  • Cancer is a word, not a sentence. John Diamond

See cancer quotes for some other examples of recognizable sayings you may find to be helpful.

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Normalize Talking About Hard Stuff

“When I was first diagnosed in the 80’s, people didnt talk about cancer. They didnt even say the word ‘breast in polite company. It was when people like Olivia Newton-John and Angelina Jolie started talking about it that it became more acceptable. And when I could see people who had survived breast cancer, it was such a relief.” Hilary Langford

If you already discuss your own challenges and fears, people will be more likely to trust you when they’re going through their own difficulties. Work at being genuinely vulnerable, and you’ll be better equipped to support others when they’re suffering.

Silver Lining: A Supportive And Insightful Guide To Breast Cancer

A friend gifted my mom The Silver Lining when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Its a supportive and insightful guide to breast cancer written by a vegan eating, marathon running 39-year-old mom with no history of breast cancer. When Robin Roberts was promoting it on GMA she mentioned, I wish I had this book when I was going through breast cancer.

Another one Ive heard a lot about from an eating perspective is Cancer Fighting Kitchen Book. If youve read a great book recently, lend the paperback to your friend/family undergoing treatment. My favorite recent reads: Scary Close, 10% Happier, Eat Pray Love, To Shake the Sleeping Self

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A Meal Delivery Service For Making Dinners A Little Easier

Unfortunately, life doesnt get put on pause when you go through chemo, and patients still have to go through basic, everyday things like cooking dinner. As you can imagine, that can be exhausting, which is why a subscription to a food delivery service can be incredibly helpful.

One of the most helpful gifts I received was a box of Omaha steaks, Nora Mastrippolito, a breast cancer survivor, tells SELF. A grocery delivery service gift card can also go really far, Rafte says. Your tastes can change dramatically during chemo, so it can be helpful to let the patient pick out what they want, she explains.

Shop various packages from Omaha steaks here, or check out these great meal-kit delivery services if the person you’re buying for loves to cook.

What Can I Do To Help

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Whether your friend or family member is newly diagnosed or in the midst of treatment, she’s unlikely to be wowed by vague offers or having to do your thinking for you. She has enough on her mind she has cancer. She may not want that tuna casserole or to hear about what treatment your Aunt Phyllis had either. So how can you help? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why we turned to survivors for our list of support dos and don’ts. Our patient-generated advice is sorted into three stages

Diagnosis, Surgery & Treatment, and Recoveryidentified by Maureen Broderick, a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with cancer patients and run cancer support groups. Here’s what you need to know.

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One Dozen Light Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Roses

Send your loved ones some beautiful fresh flowers from From Your Flowers to brighten their day. The roses come in an optional breast cancer awareness vase that will let them know youre thinking and supporting them from wherever you are. Check out the One Dozen Light Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Roses, $34.99, here.

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Listen And Be Present

It is important to be a good listener. Someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer is afraid, angry and uncertain. Listening to these fears and being present with them, even in silence, can be a source of great strength for the person fighting cancer. Allowing them to express their anger and fears also demonstrates that you will be there to support them through it all, rather than abandoning them when times get tough.

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Inspiring Tees That Cheer You Up

During my cancer treatment, my family had t-shirts made that said, Montana Strong and all wore them to surprise me one day. It was one of the greatest gifts I received just knowing that so many people were rooting for me and cheering me on kept me going on my hardest days. Another favorite T-Shirt isMe: 1, Cancer: 0, which I found on Amazon.com .

What Will Happen After Treatment

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Youll be glad when treatment is over. For years after treatment ends, you will see your cancer doctor. Be sure to go to all of these follow-up visits. You will have exams, blood tests, and maybe other tests to see if the cancer has come back.

At first, your visits may be every few months. Then, the longer youre cancer-free, the less often the visits are needed.

If you still have a breast , youll need to get a mammogram every year. Depending on your treatment, you might need other tests as well, such as yearly pelvic exams or bone density tests.

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be hard, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. You might be thinking about how to improve your health. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or talk to your cancer care team to find out what you can do to feel better.

You cant change the fact that you have cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest of your life making healthy choices and feeling as well as you can.

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A Food Delivery Service Subscription

It’s normal to start thinking of your most comforting casserole recipes to drop off at the home of someone with breast cancer, but “people do not realize that a lot of patients may have foods that they cannot eat,” says Rebecca Scheinkman, 36, who was diagnosed in 2014 with stage 4 breast cancer.

“For example, I cannot eat dairy products while on one of my treatments. A great gift I received was a gift card to an online food delivery service, allowed me to pick out my own food based on what I could handle eating.”

So instead of getting all domestic, try gifting meal kits from a service like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh for perfectly portioned ingredients, which take the brainpower out of meal prep, or a gift card to an online delivery service that partners with local restaurants.

To buy: From $60, blueapron.com

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Medically Reviewed by: Dr. BautistaUpdated on: November 12, 2019

Whether youre loved one was recently diagnosed, is undergoing treatment, or is on the road to recovery you might be wondering how to support someone with breast cancer.

Regardless of whether someone is pursuing a traditional or a natural treatment for breast cancer, the emotional and physical trials that come along with a diagnosis are widespread. However, because each patients reaction to their diagnosis may be different it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly how to help and what to do.

From writing a card to offering a listening ear, weve compiled 10 ways of how to support someone with breast cancer. However you choose to show your support, know that if it comes from the heart it will always help.

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Moving On Can Be Hard

Treatment is over, and there are no signs of cancer. Thatâs great news, but some people still may have some mental healing to do. Your loved one may show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, like not sleeping well or having crying fits. They may constantly check for lumps and bumps. Instead of telling them to âget back to normal,â urge them to talk to their doctor. Medications, therapy, and other treatments can help.

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This isnt a specific sayingits a reminder to talk about something else other than cancer. Cancer patients spend plenty of time discussing treatment, symptoms and prognosis. Your loved one will appreciate those who can find something brighter to talk about. Whatever the topic, getting their mind off their illness will be refreshing.

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Help Them Feel Beautiful And Put

I met David Kibbe, a famous image professional, and he helped me to look stunning whilst I underwent some horrific body changes. He reminded me how beautiful I am!” Leighah Beadle-Darcy

When someone’s body is attacked by cancer, they can experience dramatic weight changes, painful burns from radiation, hair loss, weakness, scarring, breast loss, and countless other physical devastations. Shop with or for your loved one so they’re never without clothes that fit and feel comfortable. Something as simple as a beautiful head scarf can be tremendously reassuringboth physically and emotionallywhen someone’s body is betraying them.

An App For Guided Meditation

Monejo says her mother bought her a subscription to the guided meditation app Headspace, which she uses regularly. I’m definitely noticing the benefits of mindfulness, she says. It’s even got a cancer pack that I listen to daily as the founder went through the illness himself.

You can purchase a Headspace subscription for $12.99/month at Headspace.com.

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Inspire Peace And Confidence In The Process

“The best thing that anyone told me was that the radiotherapy machines were my friends, and I shouldnt be scared of them “ Andrea K.

It’s completely natural to feel trepidation about undergoing cancer treatments. Don’t ever deny someone’s honest feelings but do share encouragement when you can. If all you have to offer is, “I’ll be with you the whole time,” that can still diminish their fear and bolster their courage.

Purchase a LOVE Bracelet and MINDD will donate 100% of the proceeds to American Cancer Society’s Get Screened initiative.

Encouraging Messages For An Acquaintance Or Coworker With Breast Cancer

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If you have an acquaintance or coworker dealing with breast cancer, you may not want to overstep your boundaries.

But it can be good for this person to receive encouraging messages from even casual acquaintances who know about the struggle. Here are some examples of positive messages for cancer patients that you may not be as close with.

7. I really admire your work ethic. Even when youre fighting breast cancer, you remain conscientious about work. Youre such a valuable member of our team.

Many cancer patients just want to regain a sense of normalcy in their lives. This means they might really throw themselves into their work to show that their illness wont get them off track. Let your coworker know that you see those efforts and you appreciate everything they do.

8. I know that we dont know each other well, but I just wanted to let you know that Im so impressed with you. Youre a true warrior. Im sure you have a lot of support in your life, but let me know if you want me to connect you to the other cancer patients I know.

Having cancer can be a very isolating experience. If you have a coworker or acquaintance going through cancer treatment, you can help her find a solid support system. You may even become part of it thanks to encouraging messages like these.

Even a boss needs to hear that shes doing a good job. If your supervisor is fighting breast cancer, let her know you admire her strength there and in all other aspects of her life.

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Relationships With Friends And Family

It’s not always easy to talk about cancer, either for you or your family and friends. You may sense that some people feel awkward around you or avoid you.

Being open about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put them at ease. However, do not be afraid to tell them that you need some time to yourself if that’s what you need.

Want to know more?

Acknowledge Them & What Theyre Going Through

Instead of trying to be unnaturally positive, acknowledge where they are and what theyre going through. Tell them that you care about them and acknowledge that, although you dont know how they feel, you get that its making life difficult. And offer to help. What they want and need most from you is to feel like youre there and wont abandon them. So, do that by saying:

  • This must be hard and Im sorry that youve got to go through this. How can I help you get through it?
  • I dont know how you feel but understand that this must be difficult. I want you to know that Im here to listen anytime you want to talk.
  • I dont know what to say other than Im here for you.

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