Words to Try for Families:
( from Handbook for Mortals; Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness
by Joanne Lynn, MD and Joan Harrold, M.D.)
When you think you want to say: Try
this instead:
Dad, you are going
to be fine.
Dad, are there things
that worry you?
Don't
talk like that! You can beat this! It must be hard to
come
to terms
with all of this.
I just
can't talk about this. I
am feeling a bit
overwhelmed right
now. Can we talk
about this later?
Please
don't give up. I need you here. I need you here. I will
miss you terribly. But
we
will get through
this somehow.
Don't be glum. You will get well.
It must be hard. Can I
just sit here with you
for a while?
Listen, listen and then listen some more. There are some times that silence speaks louder than
words. Often ill people appreciate more than anything, someone sitting next to him or her, quietly, patiently and compassionately.
There is no need to fix or advise or judge. Just learn to sit and be. There is a great saying," don't just do something,
sit there" that fits perfectly now.
