When Someone is Grieving What to Say We have experienced a lot of death this year. Some loved ones have died suddenly and others have died after a prolonged illness. Ugh. Sadness, confusion, anxiety, emptiness…just a few of the many feelings that come with grief and bereavement. It occurred to me that – just as… Continue reading When Someone is Grieving What to Say
How to Help Someone Who Has Cancer
Emily McDowell Sympathy Cards
Empathy Cards As you all know, I have talked and talked (and talked!) about what to say and what not to say to someone who has cancer. It is stupendously important for friends of people who have cancer to know how to connect and communicate about sickness and suffering without bringing dreaded false cheer or… Continue reading Emily McDowell Sympathy Cards
Coping with Cancer During the Holidays
While I loooooove the holidays, they are also fraught with challenges You know what I mean? Too many calories. Too little sleep. Too many errands. Too little time. The year that I had FBC was especially difficult – obviously. DUH. I felt completely out of step from the rest of the world during that holiday… Continue reading Coping with Cancer During the Holidays
Being a Friend to Someone With Cancer
Being a Friend to Someone With Cancer While on the book tour, the number one question that people asked me (and I am asked on a daily basis) is “How do I be a friend to someone with Cancer?” In light of this question and all of the new blog readers, I thought I would… Continue reading Being a Friend to Someone With Cancer
What to Say to Someone with Cancer (And What Not to Say)
What to Say to Someone with Cancer (and What Not to Say) Oh gosh. At least ten times a week, I get an email informing me of the (wretched!) news that yet another person has been diagnosed with f-bomb cancer. Not just breast cancer. Any kind of cancer. All kinds of cancer. The theme always… Continue reading What to Say to Someone with Cancer (And What Not to Say)
Bookworm: How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who is Sick
Now, HERE my friends is an absolute MUST read: How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who is Sick by Letty Cottin Pogrebin! It is a must read because the truth is – and I know this all too well! – we are all either going to be sick or have a friend who… Continue reading Bookworm: How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who is Sick
What to Say To Someone Who Has Cancer – The Ring Theory
As many of you may recall, I have written quite a bit about what to say and WTF not to say to someone with FBC (f-bomb breast cancer) as well as how to be a friend to someone coping with illness or other f-bombs. I think that when an f-bomb explodes in life, we all want to know how… Continue reading What to Say To Someone Who Has Cancer – The Ring Theory
What to Say (or Not to Say) #7
The overwhelming majority of things said to cancer patients are well intended. I know it without a doubt. In fact, I would hazard to say that most people with FBC (or any kind of f-bomb cancer for that matter) know it. However, what is well intended doesn’t always come across quite so well. As one of… Continue reading What to Say (or Not to Say) #7
What to Say (or WTF Not to Say) #6
This week, I posted some of the What to Say (or Not to Say) graphics on The Huffington Post and boy oh boy did the comments fly! There were quite a few questions about why I focused on FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers) rather than on cancer as a whole. Well, the simple… Continue reading What to Say (or WTF Not to Say) #6
What to Say (or Not to Say) #5
While I was sitting with my girlfriend yesterday as she received her first infusion of chemotherapy, we were talking about all of the things that she has heard since her f-bomb diagnosis. The one that has been the most difficult (aggravating!!!) for her to hear is any reference to her being “fine.” I remembered having the… Continue reading What to Say (or Not to Say) #5