The best advice is to write from the heart. The main thing is that you’re letting them know that they’re loved, missed and in your thoughts. Kathy from Wishing You Well has hand written thousands of cards over the years, so she can steer you in the right direction if you’re lost.
Along with a kind sentiment, if you can offer additional help it’s better to be specific. When people ask 'What can I do for you?' or 'How can I help?' it often puts more pressure on the sick person because they have to put effort into coming up with something specific. They end up saying, 'I'm okay for now,' or 'I don't need anything.' So offer to do something specifically for them. For example offer to organise some meals to be delivered to them, or if you work with them offer to do some of their work.
I’ve listed some ideas below, the categories are flexible. Feel free to use, add or change them to suit.
Things to write for someone who’s sick:
Things to write for someone who has cancer and/or going through chemotherapy:
Sometimes it is hard to know what to say to someone who has cancer, and it can depend on what type and what stage they have. Some patients were asked what they loved to hear during their cancer journey, generally they appreciated honesty and support, here are some ideas.
For a colleague some ideas are:
So, if you remember to be honest, genuine and offer support you'll be on the right track, and if you get stuck Kathy can help you out. You've shown how much you care by organising a wonderful gift box /care package so the card's the icing on the cake.
Simone Duckmanton, Wishing You Well
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Is someone you care about going through chemotherapy? Sometimes it's hard to know how to help, but one idea is to give them a chemo-care kit.
