Guidelines for Communication
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, here are a few important tips.
1. What is your belief about this disease?
(A death sentence, a minor bump in the road, a learning experience, a challenge, a time to rest)
2. Do you accept a medical diagnosis?
When some people hear a medical doctor tell them that they have a disease, they just blindly keep their mouth shut and do everything the doctor says-whether it is proven successful or not. Others hear what a doctor says and decide to take responsibility for their own health. While they might use a medical doctor as a consultant, they do not turn over their health responsibility to anyone. They, themselves are responsible for getting well.
3. What is your plan?
Some people follow a conventional treatment course of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery while others choose an alternative route of nutritional support, cleansing, energy healing and emotional therapy. There are some who use a blending of both natural and conventional treatments.
4. Find support
This can be a very difficult journey if one feels alone. Reach out to friends and family. You might also join a support group to help bolster yourself up when times get rough.
If someone who you know has been given a diagnosis of cancer, what can you do for them?
1. Ask them what they need from you?
Some people might feel embarrassed that they are in need. Keep asking just to make sure that someone does not feel neglected.
2. Be open to listening. This is not a time to lecture someone about why they might have gotten cancer or about what your beliefs are about healing. Be a compassionate listener. It is a very delicate time for them.
3. Financial support. Someone who might be going through cancer treatments might not be able to work or have any income coming in. This is on top of whatever expenses the treatments might be costing them. Help them out with as much financial support as you are willing to provide. This will put their mind more at ease and help their body to heal quicker.
4. Wish them well. Continue to visualize them getting better. What you think about helps to attract more of that. Give someone hope who is looking for hope.
5. Put yourself in their shoes. What would you need from others that you are not getting. (Remember, many people might feel ashamed or embarrassed at being sick. They will not always ask for what they need).
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