Encouraging Cancer Survirors/Recoverees' Pt. 2

Encouraging Cancer Survivors/Recoverees' Pt. 2

Encourage: to inspire with courage, spirit and confidence; to stimulate with assistance; to promote, advance or foster.

What is your task as the encourager if your chose to accept. I am glad you asked:

A few do's and don'ts...

1. Do be patient.
The survivor/recoveree is experiencing various unexpected life changes. Some of these changes are received more easily then others. You as the encourager will need to be gentle, composed and accomodating throughout these procedures and when the survivor/recoveree has difficulty adjusting.

Be patient knowing that the survivor/recoveree is on this life changing journey and the succession of these necessary treatment(s) as a willing/unwilling participant. With this focus in mind, be conscious of the fact, that the survivor/recoveree has first hand knowledge and experience of what he/she is encountering, feeling, and the difficulties that are associated with this recovery process.

Is it a life change for you the encourager? Yes, however, even though it may take it's toll on you as well, you can not negate what the survivor/recoveree is experiencing. As the encourager, you may need to get outside help to provide you with the necessary endurance to continue as the encourager. So if possible/necessary try and get your main support from outside of this enviornment.


2. Don't overwhelm the survivor/recoveree with suggestions, of 'you oughtas' , or you shouldn'ts'.
As the encouarger, you will witness moments when the survivor/recoveree has little or no ability/strength to function. Along with this, the survivor/recoveree will have a major change in their food intake, their physical activity, and their social life.

You as the encourager will want to help move the survivor/recoveree forward, with nudges and sometimes forced pushes. Be mindful though, because not all survivors/recoverees are oppossing these helpful verbal nudges/strong-armed shoves. Most times, the survivor/recoveree does not have the energy, the drive, or the get-up-and-go to move ahead. So, even though you may see the need or think it is necessary, don't overwhelm the survivor/recoveree with what one believes should be done/is best. As the encourager, your role is to inspire gently the survivor/recoveree to trudge forward.

Always consider the mindset of the survivor/recoveree. Keeping in mind that the survivor/recoveree is undergoing what seems like a forever long process, that leaves them feeling ill, weak, lifeless, and sometimes hopeless. The stress of being dependent, and looked upon as though any day will be your last factors into the mindframe of the survivor/recoveree.

3. Try to be understanding.
Treatments take it's toll on the survivor/recoveree. Even though the treatments may have ended, the long term affects of the treatments factor into the continual progress of the survivor/recoverees' desire or energy level. Therefore it is necessary in understanding that, yet the survivor/recoveree is out of treatment there is still a recovery process that must be maintained. Don't expect the suvivor/recoveree to jump back into life with both feet planted firmly on the floor. That ain't gonna happen.

Stayed Tuned In for Pt. 3