How do I act around my friend who is diagnosed with Leukemia?
Yesterday, after weeks of having chest pains, nosebleeds, and other painful symptoms, my close friend was diagnosed with Lymphoid Leukemia. He's eighteen, and doesn't show emotion well. He's a bit of a tough guy, but he is a really great person. He's being moved to a cancer center in Tennesse, which is a long way from Texas, where I live.
I'm not a stranger to cancer, my dad passed away three years ago from lung cancer. Even though that was horrible to deal with, it's a different situation here, since I had a different relationship with my dad.
I've talked to my friend some since yesterday, but I don't really know how to act while talking to him. Some of my friends have started to baby him around, but I don't think that's the best way to be. Should I act like everything is normal, or what??
I know this is a serious disease, but he's strong, and I know that he can pull through if everyone prays and has faith.
Thank you for your help!
- Dowlinggram
The best thing you can do for your friend is act as if you never heard he had cancer--in other words act normal. Your friend will have enough people acting wierd around him. He needs normalcy to carry on and not be thinking of the disease 24/7. He also needs optimism and hope and to feel like an ordinary teenager not that sick dude.
Take your cue from him if he brings up the subject then tell him you know he can beat it. Let him do the talking and be a good listener. If he talks it's just to get things off of his chest. He's not looking for answers, just a friendly ear.
Trust your instincts--If you axt out of caring you can't go wrong. If you are stuck just think of what you would like if you were him.
- Denisedds
Act the same way you always have.
He wouldn't be friends with you in the first place if that is not what he liked.
- Tarkarri
Be open to talk about his illness if he wants to but otherwise treat him as you normally would.
No-one wants to loose their identity and that is wat happens when people start treating you as a sick person rather than yourself.
Remember always that he is "Tom", who happens to have cancer and not a cancer patient who happens to be called "Tom".
Hope that makes sense.
Leukemia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment of this blood-related cancer.
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