How do you let people know you have cancer? 5 tips
Receiving a cancer diagnosis comes as a massive shock, it pulls the rug out from under you. Family and friends may already have known you were undergoing various tests, and now the results are in. How do you tell them you have cancer? What do you do? Do you call, email, or send a text message? There is no set script for telling family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances that you have cancer, and every relationship is different. Below, we offer some human advice to help point you in the right direction.
- Take control from the very beginning.
The advice is to stay in control of the situation yourself. Avoid being overwhelmed by well-intentioned messages, phone calls, and emails. You won’t always have the energy or desire to retell the story over and over or spend hours on it. Hours you could instead spend taking a walk outdoors or enjoying other beautiful moments.
Some users say they appreciate Stamps because their children don't have to hear the same story every time the phone rings, or when they are standing on the school playground or along the sidelines at a football match.
When you use the Stamps app, you decide when and what you share and with who.
- Be open: share the facts and the emotions.
Research among users of the Stamps app shows that the more openly they share facts and emotions, the more valuable the connection becomes. Having a bad day? Don't know how you'll get through the coming days? Feeling lonely? Let your loved ones know. They truly empathize with you and will show it through words, actions, and emoticons.
- Ask for help
When you have cancer, you live in a state of absolute uncertainty. You don’t know what lies ahead, what your test results will be, or how you will emerge from treatment. At times like these, nothing is more supportive than having loved ones you can turn to. Whether to shed tears, vent your frustrations, share a hug, or simply be together. But don’t hesitate to ask for help with practical matters, too: rides to the hospital, cooking (especially if the smell of food makes you feel sick), a book recommendation to help pass a long day, or picking up medication and groceries. Share your requests for help on Stamps, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
- Be clear
Always clearly indicate what your energy levels are like. Are specialists coming to provide home care? You can ask a housemate to arrange the appointments for you.
- It is nice for your loved ones to be able to follow along and share in the experience.
Your network won't always know whether it’s appropriate to call or if you’re actually up for a phone call. People can simply be awkward or feel uncomfortable in situations like this. That doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. Invite them to follow along with your medical journey. They’ll appreciate being able to do so on their own time and at their own convenience, and you’ll be surprised by the responses you receive.
Finally,
We wish you strength in this upcoming period