    
Ways That I Can Ask for Help as I Meet the Challenges of
My IllnessThis article was written
after a discussion in the Saturday morning "Circle of Healing" support group
about how difficult it is for us to ask for help from our friends, family and community.
They share their insights with you...
Remember...
I
am not cancer.
Yes,
I have an illness called cancer.
I
am not contagious.
Ways I Can Ask for Help
Stay in Touch
I can ask you
to... BE CONNECTED...
- Send me cards
- Telephone
- Leave me a note
- Send me photographs
- Leave me messages
- Tell me the usual news
- Be regular with your contact
I can ask you
to... SHARE HUMOR...
- Send me a cartoon
- Tell me a joke
- Watch a funny movie with me
- Laugh with me
Send Me Healing Energy
I can ask you
to... KEEP ME COMPANY...
- Visit me (call first!)
- Come only when you are well
- Sit with me
- Take me: for a walk, for a car ride, to a place
in the sun
- Watch a video with me
- Read to me
- Let me know what you are willing to do, tell me
when you are willing to do it
- Pray for me
- Give me a hug
I can ask you
to... LEND OR BUY...
- An answering machine
- Reading lamp
- Tape recorder/"Walkman"
- Wedge Pillow
- Egg carton mattress pad
- Juicer
- Remote control
Give Me the Gift of Time
I can ask you
to... GIVE SITUATIONAL SUPPORT...
- Take me to church, to synagogue
- Take me to the beach, to a park, to the lake
- Take me for a picnic, for a haircut, for a
massage
- Take me to the doctor, to the drug store, to the
grocery store
Focus on My Needs
I can ask you
to... CREATE A CONVENIENCE BASKET...
- With: books, magazines, writing materials,
tissues, snacks, bells, water bottles, makeup pouches, a light shawl or blanket
- Bring me a stuffed animal or a favorite stone
- Bring my favorite food to the hospital for me
- Pick some flowers from my garden to bring into
the house
I can ask you
to... ASSIST WITH PERSONAL TASKS...
- Arrange appointments
- Arrange appointments for a manicure, pedicure,
facial, massage
- Update lists of cards and gifts
- Address thank-you card envelopes
- Draft a thank-you letter for me to sign
- Be the key person on a phone tree to keep others
updated
I can ask you
to... EASE HOUSEHOLD TASKS...
- Bring me a meal, cookies, snacks, fresh produce
from your garden
- Empty the wastebaskets, the dishwasher, the
dryer
- Fold the laundry
- Mow the lawn
- Arrange for the necessary daily maintenance
chores to be done
REMEMBER MY DEAR ONES
I can ask you
to... THINK ABOUT MY CARETAKER...
- Ask how they are
- Give them some time away by caring for me
- Take them out for dinner or a night on the town
or shopping
- Give them a call and ask how they are doing
- Arrange for them to get a massage, a facial, a
haircut
I can ask you
to... THINK ABOUT MY FAMILY...
- Spend time with my children
- Take my children to the park, to the zoo, to a
museum, to a birthday party
- Take my family out to dinner
- Make my family dinner at your house
- Walk my dog
- Feed my cat
- Water my plants
****** Some suggestions are based on the book Ways
You Can Help by Margaret Cooke and Elizabeth Putman, and were adapted by Jeanne
Bearmon and Carol Oldowski to reflect the theme of "Ways I Can Ask for Help."
****** You are invited to be creative, add to
our list and submit any additional "Ways I Can Ask For Help" to the Women's
Cancer Resource Center's Giving Voice Newsletter.
Women's Cancer Resource Center
4604 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-822-48461 or 877-892-6742
612-822-4784 (fax)
wcrc@wcrcmn.org
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