Hello, i'm very new to this world but I come seeking advice.
A family member has been diagnosed with stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer and he is struggling a huge amount with his mental health, incredibly depressed and struggling to comprehend what is happening. He's always been super healthy and fit and this has come out of nowhere.
I'm wondering how I can begin helping, where to start, how to sustain the help, what to say... etc.
I've been letting them know I'm there to support and helping them with meals.
Thanks,
Perth
Hi Perth
Welcome to our community I hope you find it useful.
Your questions are very normal at a time like this, people often want to help but have no real idea how. The same is often true for the person with cancer. One really important thing can be to learn how to really listen.
An important part of being a really good friend though is to remember to look after ourselves, when I look at your feelings when someone has cancer I recognize a lot of the sort of things I went through and recognizing those emotions as valid can help make them seem less overwhelming.
<<hugs>>
Steve
