By Janie McQueen — 2020
Hiring outside help can bring respite for everyone’s benefit.
Read on www.webmd.com
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Accepting help from others when you have a cancer diagnosis isn’t a sign of weakness.
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Being able to say, “No, I can no longer continue to provide care in this way,” may not only save the caregiver from emotional and physical burnout, but can also open up opportunities of shared caregiving responsibilities with others while deepening the level of honesty and openness in the...
“If there’s something I can do to help, don’t be afraid to ask.” This is a courtesy friends and family often extend to you as a caregiver. You thank them, but then how often do you follow up? What is it that’s holding you back from accepting their offer?
People wildly underestimate the odds that others will help us, says social psychologist Heidi Grant. From strangers to colleagues to friends, we think people are likely to reject our request, and that leads to people not asking for help as much as we should.
We identified 8 reasons why this might be true for many introverts.
In a society largely based on helping yourself — just go to any bookstore or library and browse the voluminous self-help section — it may seem odd to promote the idea that we need to learn better ways to ask for and receive assistance. But a small movement is saying just that.
You not calling, as a friend, can actually compound the grief and loss they are feeling. Just pick up the phone, even if you get it wrong, just have a conversation and do your best. Your friend with cancer is still the same person they were before.
In the past four years, Bruce Mead-e has undergone two major surgeries, multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy to treat his lung cancer. Yet in all that time, doctors never told him or his husband whether the cancer was curable — or likely to take Mead-e’s life.
“Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.” – Mariska Hargitay
Research has shown that people with cancer need support from friends. You can make a big difference in the life of someone with cancer.