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Women's health

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How to deal with friend's diagnosis

2 replies

eyycarumba · 19/07/2018 09:39

Bit of a strange one for me; a good friend of mine has told me she has cervical cancer. She's only 29 and I have absolutely no experience of this (I've somehow made nearly 30 yrs with no exposure to someone dealing with cancer).
I am flummoxed, I have no idea what to say or do for her. We live several hours away, we do meet a few times a year but I don't drive so it's not like I can just pop over. We've spoken and all we know so far is she's got it, she has an appointment coming up to discuss how bad/treatment. All I managed to say was 'Well, that's a shitter', ask how she is otherwise, and apologised if I'm ever insensitive.

How do I go about this for her? I'll sort out a visit up in the next few weeks, but other than that what am I supposed to say? I sent her a care pack a few weeks ago because I knew she was having a crap time but I had no idea it was this, shall I send her the occasional goodies or something? I want to be supportive without being patronising.

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UniversalTruth · 19/07/2018 09:47

Personally, I would send a card so you can think about the wording, saying you're really sorry to hear her news, and you want her to know she should tell you if needs anything even if it is to just chat about normal things.

The Macmillan website is great so have a look there - this page has some advice www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/talking-about-cancer/if-someone-has-cancer

eyycarumba · 19/07/2018 11:13

Hadn't even thought of Macmillan! Thank you

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