And I am freaking out! Her family is with her right now, and right now she doesn't want visitors.
What can I do besides be there for her? I know I can't heal her or anything, but I would like advise on how to cope with this and not her make her feel like she's the "sick" one. Any suggestions?
Thanks...
2007-11-07 04:12:40 · 13 answers · asked by Done 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
screw the cards and flowers! Send her a brand new beanie, or beret. Take her shopping for sexy/inappropriate underwear to wear to her next Dr. visit.
Get her a Sharpie to "X" marks the spot so she can show everyone who comes to visit unannounced.
Have fun. Love her. Be her strength when she is down, or allow her to kick your butt for being weepy when she may not be.
Encourage her to take charge. Whatever that means for her.
Respect her wishes regarding treatment or no treatment. Surgery/No surgery. Oh, and kiss in public for no reason. It really freaks others out, and you will laugh so hard you'll wet your pants.
Tell her a survivor loves her.
2007-11-07 12:15:12 · answer #1 · answered by pj therapy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is terrible, there is not much you can do to make her feel better.... if nobody else in her circle of friends or family have not had cancer she will be feeling isolated and scared. She will be in a 'different' place to you trying to come to terms with her news. She will not cope, how can you??? Liver cancer has a exceptionally low survival rate and is rarely the primary source. It usually comes from a different tumor in the body. You need to support her, if she wants to talk then talk, if she wants to be alone then leave her be etc.... There is no right and wrong and it is trial and error to know what is best. My Mum was diagnosed in May this year with kidney cancer, when they found the cancer it had already spread to liver and lung. it was extremely aggressive she pasted away sept 7 aged 60. There was nothing anybody could say or do, we felt so helpless... Mum went into a 'different place' to us to try and cope she became very withdrawn.. her way of trying to let go of life and what she will leave behind. My thoughts are with you and your friend.
2007-11-07 11:15:00 · answer #2 · answered by charlie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear this news. I lost a very dear friend to liver cancer just 5 months ago.
It really depends on they type of cancer, where in the liver the cancer is and the type of treatment she will be receiving. You can prepare food for the family, provide coffee runs, do some research regarding the cancer (including buying books for family members), provide courage and hope, try to stay upbeat and positive, provide her with a small ipod downloaded with her favorite music, help set up a network of support, start a journal for her (what is going on during the days of her illness and treatment, reflectiveness on the great times and memories you've shared), seek counseling (her cancer team can refer you to someone) so you know how to help her cope.
Best of luck to both of you and I hope she receives excellent care and treatment.
2007-11-07 04:27:37 · answer #3 · answered by slave2art 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would send her a note either through the mail or with one of her family members letting her know that you'd like to come to visit when she's feeling up to it. You could also send a fruit basket or a plant/flowers. The initial shock of a cancer diagnosis - especially one that's this serious - is really tough. Your friend may feel more up to visitors in the next few days depending on how much treatment and what sort of treatment that she gets.
I have always found that it's helpful to bring over easy to heat dishes (in disposable pans) as well as snack foods and cookies to families in crisis. Spend time with your friend and talk to her. Bring her DVDs or books especially funny ones. Try to always be upbeat and cheerful as it's contagious and it makes everyone feel a little better to laugh and smile.
2007-11-07 04:32:30 · answer #4 · answered by Susan G 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it has not spread she can have a transplant.
It does need a match but only partial liver is used for this that live the donner with about more then half the working liver that grows back in time and recipient get a working liver that flourishes, also.
2007-11-07 04:22:16 · answer #5 · answered by minootoo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She is having a difficult time herself in dealing with the news so, she is not going to feel up to visitors. And, often times, when people visit others' that are ill, that person kind of feels that they need to entertain their visitors. It would be best, for now, to respect her wishes ! She needs time and, you need to see her. How about sending her or, delivering to her flowers and a card that will let her know that she is in your thoughts and prayers. It is a difficult situation and you must feel helpless.Completely normal. I wish that I could give you some words of wisdom to help her and you. For now, just let her know that you are thinking of her and see what happens. Yeah, easier said than done. I hope that this helped some. God Bless to your friend!!
Ruth
2007-11-07 10:48:30 · answer #6 · answered by Ruth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard pure grapefruit juice not from concentrate, balsam apple, dandelion leaves from the grocery store cleanses the liver.
You can go for shopping, try on expensive, stylish outfits and take pictures of each other posing in those outfits.
You can also go to the beach and try to gather as many hatched baby turtles and through them into the ocean before the predator type birds get them.
2007-11-07 07:03:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Search the internet for people who have beaten the same type of cancer.
I am sure there must be something written about this somewhere.
Then share this good news with her, and work with her to accomplish a remission.
2007-11-07 04:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by r_e_a_l_miles 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Firstly I hope she has much strength to fight the long battle ahead. Stay close to her when she is ready but I think it would be good to be normal and perhaps a good girlie day out and shop or have manicures. Obviously that's going to depend on her strength.
I hope they have found out soon enough. Good luck and stay strong.
2007-11-07 08:18:50 · answer #9 · answered by lacldc 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My own Granpa died of cancer and i know how you feel! I think she would like it better if you treated her like a normal person and didn't feel sorry for her or act different around her! she will be cured and keep up hope! good Luck
2007-11-07 04:17:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋