| 1. |
Don't avoid me. Be the friend... the loved one you've always been. |
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| 2. |
Touch me. A simple squeeze of the hand tells me you still care. |
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| 3. |
Call and tell me you're bringing over my favorite dish. Bring food in disposable containers so I won't worry about returning them. |
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| 4. |
Watch my children while I take a little time to be alone with my loved one. My children also may need a little vacation from my illness. |
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| 5. |
Cry with me when I cry and laugh with me when I laugh. Don't be afraid to share these emotions with me. Pain isolates. Help me reconnect with others. |
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| 6. |
Take me out for a pleasure trip, but know my limitations. |
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| 7. |
Call for my shopping list and make a special delivery to my home. |
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| 8. |
Before you visit, call to let me know, but don't be afraid to visit. I need you. I can get lonely. |
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| 9. |
Help me celebrate holidays (and life) by decorating my hospital room or home, or by bringing me flowers or other natural treasures. |
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| 10. |
Help my family. Invite them out. Take them places. I am sick, but they may be suffering also. Offer to come and stay with me to give my loved ones a break. |
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| 11. |
Be creative. Bring me a book of thoughts, taped music, a poster for my wall, cookies to share with my family and friends. |
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| 12. |
Let's talk about it. Maybe I need to talk about my illness. Find out by asking me, "Do you feel like talking about it?" |
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| 13. |
Don't always feel we have to talk. Sitting quietly together is fine. |
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| 14. |
Can you take me and/or my children somewhere? I may need transportation to a treatment, to the store, or to my physician. |
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| 15. |
Help me feel good about my looks. |
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| 16. |
Please include me in decision making. I've been robbed of so many things. Please don't deny me a chance to make decisions in my family or in my life. |
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| 17. |
Talk to me about the future. Tomorrow, next week, next year. Hope is so important to me. |
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| 18. |
Bring me a positive attitude. It's catching. Help me respect reality. |
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| 19. |
What's in the news? Magazines, photos, newspapers and verbal reports keep me from feeling the world is passing me by. |
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| 20. |
Could you help me with some cleaning? During my illness, my family and I still face dirty clothes, dirty dishes, and a dirty house. |
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| 21. |
Water my flowers. |
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| 22. |
Just send a card to let me know you care. |
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| 23. |
Pray for me and share your faith with me. |
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| 24. |
Tell me how you'd like to help me and, when I agree, please do so. |
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| 25. |
Tell me about support groups so I can share with others |
