this blog is now heidifloyd.blogspot.com (in a word). :)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
SAY
i don't know what to say, she told me. don't know how to make her feel better, to get through this.
a family member, young (tragically, terribly, ridiculously young) was diagnosed with 'inoperable' cancer. subjective term, that one. inoperable to one surgeon is just a delicate challenge to another...but i digress.
i don't know what to say, she told me.
don't say anything, i responded. you don't have to say one single thing, and still change those lives forever. impact their hearts for the good.
i don't know what to say, she told me.
do, i said. just do. here's what we know; this little family will have needs that will become secondary (at best!) during a cancer crisis. rally the troops to take care of those needs and help put the warriors hearts at rest.
- find someone with whom the parents are completely comfortable assume child-duties. Babysitting, school pick up, outings, field trips, movie nights, you name it. if the parents know that the wee ones are adored and cared for (again, but the most trusted of souls) they then can focus on tackling the cancer.
- doggies and kitties. see above. just take them for walks (or whatever cats might need) and feed them. takes one more thing off the mind of the patient.
- will they be traveling to other doctors? if so, pack them tote bags. a nice clean, new set of really comfy clothes for the trip and doc visits, right down to the socks - so they just get on the plane and go. put mindless entertainment in there, just because. magazines with beautiful photos of houses that no one on earth really lives in, stuff like that.
- snacks! they don't want to eat a full meal; if you put one in front of a new patient or caregiver, they might very well be too overwhelmed to consider eating it and will just push it aside. pack them granola bars, cracker and tuna snack packs, things like that. leave them scattered in locations they might find later. that tote bag you are packing for them? stuff every pocket with something to nibble on. call the hotel and make sure there is a fruit and cheese tray waiting - perfect for snacking.
- stuff. do they need the house cleaned while they are gone? do it, or find someone who can. lawn moved, snow shoveled? ditto. pick up the mail, water the plants, repair the deck. yes, now would be a GREAT time to help with those enormous projects that they have wanted to tackle but never had the time.
- flight assistance is a good one. call everyone affiliated with the trip and explain the situation. there is someone flying to dallas with terminal cancer, looking for a way to save their life. this may not get you a flight discount (but i bet it could help) but you could appeal to the airline to allow the travelers to get into the airline lounge so they could be comfortable and rest a bit easier. never hurts to ask.
- call the church. odds are stacked in your favor that there are about 25 ladies at any church around the world just waiting to help people. find the one that they attend - or introduce them to the closest one and see how they can help. then join them in prayer. always helps, too.
i don't know what say, she said.
don't say anything. just go do.
a family member, young (tragically, terribly, ridiculously young) was diagnosed with 'inoperable' cancer. subjective term, that one. inoperable to one surgeon is just a delicate challenge to another...but i digress.
i don't know what to say, she told me.
don't say anything, i responded. you don't have to say one single thing, and still change those lives forever. impact their hearts for the good.
i don't know what to say, she told me.
do, i said. just do. here's what we know; this little family will have needs that will become secondary (at best!) during a cancer crisis. rally the troops to take care of those needs and help put the warriors hearts at rest.
- find someone with whom the parents are completely comfortable assume child-duties. Babysitting, school pick up, outings, field trips, movie nights, you name it. if the parents know that the wee ones are adored and cared for (again, but the most trusted of souls) they then can focus on tackling the cancer.
- doggies and kitties. see above. just take them for walks (or whatever cats might need) and feed them. takes one more thing off the mind of the patient.
- will they be traveling to other doctors? if so, pack them tote bags. a nice clean, new set of really comfy clothes for the trip and doc visits, right down to the socks - so they just get on the plane and go. put mindless entertainment in there, just because. magazines with beautiful photos of houses that no one on earth really lives in, stuff like that.
- snacks! they don't want to eat a full meal; if you put one in front of a new patient or caregiver, they might very well be too overwhelmed to consider eating it and will just push it aside. pack them granola bars, cracker and tuna snack packs, things like that. leave them scattered in locations they might find later. that tote bag you are packing for them? stuff every pocket with something to nibble on. call the hotel and make sure there is a fruit and cheese tray waiting - perfect for snacking.
- stuff. do they need the house cleaned while they are gone? do it, or find someone who can. lawn moved, snow shoveled? ditto. pick up the mail, water the plants, repair the deck. yes, now would be a GREAT time to help with those enormous projects that they have wanted to tackle but never had the time.
- flight assistance is a good one. call everyone affiliated with the trip and explain the situation. there is someone flying to dallas with terminal cancer, looking for a way to save their life. this may not get you a flight discount (but i bet it could help) but you could appeal to the airline to allow the travelers to get into the airline lounge so they could be comfortable and rest a bit easier. never hurts to ask.
- call the church. odds are stacked in your favor that there are about 25 ladies at any church around the world just waiting to help people. find the one that they attend - or introduce them to the closest one and see how they can help. then join them in prayer. always helps, too.
i don't know what say, she said.
don't say anything. just go do.
Monday, December 1, 2008
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