Do you have a friend or loved one with cancer? Are you struggling with what to say or how to act around them?
Don’t Bring Lasagna is a book for people who know someone with cancer and struggle with what to say or how to act around them. The standards, “I’m so sorry”, “You’re so brave”, and “Let me know if you need anything” are fine but often fall short of providing the engagement that the patient needs.
While feeling awkward is completely understandable it shouldn’t stop you from offering the support your loved one is looking for.
This book provides practical suggestions on what to say (and what not to say), how to make your time with them meaningful, what is going through the mind of the patient, and much more. Think of it as a ‘how to’ guide for engaging meaningfully with someone with cancer.
People who know someone with cancer will appreciate the advice this book offers and people with cancer will relate to the stories and experiences that the author shares.
What's inside?
In total this book has 50 different chapters. Each one contains useful suggestion on how to meaningfully engage with a person who is suffering from cancer. Many of the suggestions include personal stories - some of which are humorous and some of which are not funny at all.
Here are just a couple of examples of what's inside:
Plan distractions
When someone has cancer it tends to be the only thing they ever think about. This chapter offers some helpful suggestions on how to give them a much needed break from thinking about their sickness.
Don't offer to help - Actually help
Everyone always says, "call me if there is anything I can do." This chapter switches that around and offers some concrete suggestions for how to help without putting the burden on the patients to ask for help.
Don't bring lasagna
While I love lasagna, this chapter contains a funny story about how we received dozens of lasagnas when I was ill. Instead of serving up pasta overload, there are some suggestions on how you can help with meals in ways that will be greatly appreciated.
Don't tell them they are brave
When I was sick everyone kept telling me how brave I was. This drove me crazy because I didn't feel brave at all. I felt terrified. So what can you say to someone who has cancer? This chapter can help.