
03-19-2006, 10:17 PM
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gurly gurl
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Reality
Posts: 33,683
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Things to help a sick neighbor???
Ok, first off, this isn't a sexual topic...just thougth I'd ask the advice of my fellow pixies.
I was out in my front yard the other day and my neighbor came over with her daughter. We were sitting out enjoying the weather and she tells me that she has breast cancer. They removed her breast February 14th and now going to do chemo on her for a few months, starting in a couple weeks. I'm not that close to her but they are a nice family with two young kids, across the street.
She told me her son, I believe he is 8, wanted to have his hair shaved off so his mommy wouldn't feel alone when hers falls out and even asked her "you're such a good mommy, why did this happen to you". Just about killed me hearing that.
My question is........what is something I can do for them to help out during this tough time? I let her know we would do anything and she just kinda sluffed it off saying they were fine. I'm not really good at dealing with situations like this but would love to help out.
Thanks for your ideas!
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~Tainted Love~
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03-19-2006, 10:48 PM
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Learning to talk sexy
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,264
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The thought goes a long way, but what you come up and are comfortable with doing ... I suggest that you do so without having to be asked ... small things will mean a lot ...
The week she has chemo .. on her first day or two home, you might take the kids out for some activity away ... she isn't likely to feel up to doing much in those first couple of days and the kids may need a chance to get away and release some of their energy and fears ... and it will give her a time when she doesn't have to think about putting on a brave face for them every moment.
She probably won't be allowed to see many people in those days, so you might arrange it ahead of time, it will give them all something to look forward to ... even if it's just a trip to the local park for an hour or so ... or maybe a trip for an ice cream ... something not too out of the ordinary, but a change ...
If she has to stay in the hospital over night, you might show up with a casserole or just a dessert on one of those nights.
A card that arrives during the week after chemo ... something bright and cheerful
If it's the right weather for this, you might get a few flowers that can be planted outside her window ...
that's a start of some ideas anyway ... any thoughtful gesture at such a time will mean a lot!
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03-19-2006, 11:06 PM
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♦*♥Moderatrix♥*♦
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: on top of it all
Posts: 50,568
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Giving her kids opportunities to get out and be "normal" kids not kids with a sick mom, is probably the best gift you can give. Several of us also used to take chocolate to a friend of mine who passed away last summer from the same disease. It was the one food she wanted.
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03-19-2006, 11:11 PM
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~getting by~
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: South of the Mason Dixon
Posts: 3,937
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Any small gesture you make will go a long way. Offering to look after the kids even if it's just chasing them around the park for an hour will surely help out... doing their lawn a week might help free up some of their time... little cards and notes are a great way to lift someone's mood.
even though you've put the gesture for help, she's unlikely to straight up ask for it.
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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and swing.
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03-19-2006, 11:15 PM
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Loungin' Around
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: West Coast
Posts: 30,587
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I think taking the kids out is the BEST idea....I am sure that would be really appreciated
The casseroles/cooking is good too -- she may not have enough energy to cook and the family might appreciate a home cooked meal.
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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.
I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney
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03-20-2006, 12:45 AM
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♦*♥Moderatrix♥*♦
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: on top of it all
Posts: 50,568
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I am going to PM you the url to the book my friend wrote about trying to be a mom who has cancer. It was published right after she passed away. The website also has links to a support group she started here called~ Chicks~ Choosing Hope In Cancer. Scary but I personally was the teacher to the children of at least 4 women in that group. Maybe reading someone else's story would help her. My friend remained positive right up to the end.
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03-20-2006, 09:38 AM
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♦*♥Moderatrix♥*♦
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: on top of it all
Posts: 50,568
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How odd I just posted about her and there is a story about her on the front page of our local section of the paper. Guess lots of people are thinking about her now.
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