5 ways to support someone going through treatment for Breast Cancer.

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A breast cancer diagnosis can be extremely scary, isolating, confusing, frustrating… I could go on and on. It’s impossible to describe the wave of emotions but I often felt like I was in a vast sea of waves that kept crashing over me and it was impossible to catch my breath and secure myself while it felt like the entire world just continued on. I remember so clearly just wanting to be back in my life of normal things that I had taken for granted. After endless doctor appointments and tests, you’re often presented with a way (or multiple ways in which you have the challenge of choosing what’s right) forward and I remember the overwhelming feeling of relief just having a plan and getting the ball rolling to fight back. It wasn’t easy but I remember a nurse telling me that the diagnosis part always feels like the hardest.. then it’s time to fight. And fight I did.

After the initial shock, I remember diving deep into what I could do to best support my body in getting through treatment. I set myself up for the drugs to work the best way possible and strengthen my body to process the drugs and get back up week after week to be ready for the next round of treatment, with each round harder than the last. I get asked quite often by followers of what they can do to support a friend or family member who has recently been diagnosed and am happy to provide this resource to whoever may stumble upon it, either for yourself or a loved one.

Here are 5 ways to support someone going through treatment for breast cancer.

1. A diagnosis can feel very isolating… stay connected, offer encouragement, and empathy. “You’ve got this” goes a long way over “I’m sorry”.
2. Offer to bring a meal, start a meal train, send a gift card for meals, or help with grocery shopping. There are two phenomenal cookbooks focused on recipes for people going through treatment – this one and this one. I’d recommend these to everyone and wish that every hospital and treatment center would give these to their patients. They are truly life-changing and I still use so many of the recipes to this day.
3. Offer to help with children or other family members who could use a sense of normalcy. A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family. Babysitting or taking kids to the playground so parents can get a break is so helpful.
4. Offer to drive your friend to treatment and doctor appointments. Many organizations like The Pink Fund, the American Cancer Society & Susan G. Komen provide transportation assistance for those in need.
5. Support research… research is the reason I am here. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is changing lives every day and providing research oncologists with the tools they need to create new drugs and run clinical trials.

A few extra little things: