Liver Cancer
Disease, Medical, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Oncology
Overview of Liver Cancer
What the person may be thinking about
- GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CANCER
- Why me?
- How did I get this?
- I'm afraid to die.
- How long do I have to live?
- I'm tired of talking about cancer all of the time.
- People never know what to say and sometimes say things that make me feel worse.
- People were very kind when I first told them I had cancer, but now they have stopped reaching out to me.
- I'm so lonely during my cancer treatments.
- I hate spending all of my time going to doctors' offices and the hospital.
- All of this information is just overwhelming. I don't even understand half of what the doctors are telling me.
- It's hard to choose the best course of treatment. What should I do?
- I don't want to lose my hair.
- I'm so upset that I can't work out/play tennis/run because I don't feel up to it.
- I'm bored and lonely.
- It's so frustrating not being able to do everything I'm used to doing.
- How will I take care of my family while I'm receiving treatment?
- I'm tired all of the time but I'm having trouble sleeping.
- I'm having headaches and muscle pains.
- I don't feel like eating/I'm always hungry.
- I feel nauseous all of the time.
- I can't concentrate on anything and I don't have any energy.
- Will I be able to have sex during treatment?
- Will I be able to work while I'm receiving treatment? Will I be able to keep my job?
- I'm worried about the financial impact this will have on our family. Are there any other resources to help deal with this?
Words That Might Be Encouraging
- WHAT TO DO OR SAY TO SOMEONE WHO HAS CANCER
- I’m not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care.
- I'm sorry you have to go through this.
- I'm here if you would like to talk about it. (Listen without always feeling that you have to respond. Don't feel like you need to fill empty space with conversation.)
- I know you have chemotherapy (other treatment) today and just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.
- Can I come and be you during your treatment?
- I am here to help you with whatever you need during your treatment.
- I can prepare some meals ahead of time and will help with household chores during your treatments. Let's go ahead and put a schedule together.
- Many of us would like to help. Can I put together a meal calendar so your friends can coordinate when they can deliver meals to your home? And/or a chore calendar?
- Do you need rides to and from treatment? Can I help put together a schedule so you don't have to worry about getting to them?
- Why don't you let me put together a carpool schedule for your kids so you can rest?
- I'd like to stay in touch while you are going through this. Can we set up a regular time each week for me to call you/come over?
- Do you need any help figuring out the insurance for your treatment?
- Is there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable?
- I'm just calling/e-mailing to fill you in on the latest here at the office. (If the patient is your co-worker, keep him/her up-to-date with what’s happening at work. However, always check before doing something for your co-worker with cancer, no matter how helpful you think you are being.)
- I have a friend who had this same type of cancer and she has been cancer-free for five years! (Always keep it positive.)
Words That Might Be Discouraging
- I know how you feel.
- Don't worry; everything will be ok.
- Don't cry; it's not that bad.
- Cheer up!
- You look so tired today.
- Are you going to lose all of your hair?
- You look like you are losing weight.
- Look on the bright side; at least you are losing weight!
- You seem kind of grumpy today; don't let the situation get you down.
- You only have one life to live. You have to make the most of it.
- Stop complaining! You are a lot better off than many other people.
- Will you still be able to have sex?
- I'm going to come over every single day to help you out. (Don't make unrealistic promises.)
- This is just God's will; everything happens for a reason.
- Are you sure that's the best treatment option? I've heard it doesn't work. (Respect their decisions about how their cancer will be treated, even if you disagree.)
- I didn't tell you about the meeting because I didn't want to bother you. (Don't exclude the person from work activities based on their illness. If you have concerns, ask them if they would like to be included.)
- I know someone who had that kind of cancer but she died.
- I haven't come by or called because I didn't want to bother you.
- I know someone who had that surgery and developed a really bad infection. Are you sure it's safe?
- Now that you are done with treatment, are you cured?
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