Breast Cancer Advice Center

How can i support my grandma with her breast cancer?

my grandma has breast cancer and i want to know how i can support her in her time of need. I love her a lot and i want her to know that now more than ever. suggestions for board games i could play with her, or things i could do to pass the time would be greatly appreciated. If you have any suggestions, please tell me...

Public Comments

1. I think the best thing is to not "remind" her of the cancer by acting differently around her or treating her like she's handicapped. Let her feel useful around you. No one likes to feel like a burden. Make her feel wanted and needed, and that includes allowing her to do stuff for you that she wants to do. It will make her feel worthy and of course, saying, "Grandma, what would I do without you! I love you so much!" once in a while would certainly put a smile on her face :-)
2. All i know is when my granfather was sick i did things he liked. If your grandmother knows how to dance ask her to teach you even if you alresdy know how. Make her feel needed.
3. Just sit and talk to her, play cards,
4. First of all, I know how you feel, my mom has breast cancer. I know it's hard to pass away time, the easiest thing i found to do was to just talk about things to do in the future, maybe like going on vacation somewhere special or planning something ahead of time, that way you can both look forward to it, and think of more and more ideas to do! i hope this helps, and good luck =)
5. Be the best listener you can be, no matter how badly you want your turn to speak. Also, respect those times when she wants to say nothing or talk about something else. Never avoid the topic to protect your own comfort. If you love her, as I'm sure you do, support will come naturally.
6. when my mom got brest cancer my whole family did the walk for a cure it really shows you care.
7. you can go on the breast cancer walk for her
8. My daughter grew her hair out and donated it to 'Locks of love for a wig to be made for children who lost hair durring treatment. She did in in my mom's honor. She had cancer too.
   
   My grand ma died from Liver Cancer, and three yeard ago my best friend from a brain tumor. I'm growing mine out to do the same. I don't like the stuff at all.
   
   I'm so sorry, truely I am.
9. let her know that she is in your prayers and never, never stop being hopeful
10. you could read to her or just talk. ask her about her childhood and what her kids were like when they were little. you could also look through an old yearbook or scrapbook
11. Participate in one of the 3 day cures. I am doing the 60 kilometer walk, but there are events all over the US and Canada. http://www.the3day.org/
    
    Why don't you ask her some questions from here? She could have a great deal of wisdom to pass on to some of us=) I am sure your presence and company are very meaningful to her. Try finding things that will make her feel uselful if she is not in too much pain, there is nothing worse than laying around being bored.
12. You cold make crafts, play board games such as Clue, Trouble, Checkers, Chess, or you could play any type of card game. While you playing keep a good upbeat attitude. I know its hard but it brightens up her day. Oh, and remember to tell her you love her everytime you leave the room. If at all possible take her to the local park and feed the birds, talk, or take a walk. God luck and God Bless
13. My grandmother had cancer, and is now in remission. i feel what kept her going was all her grandchildren. also, the fact that my wife and i always visited, and my young (10 and 5) cousins were always over to be babysat. i think basically, she needed to be loved; a lot. my grandfather was very strong during this time, too.
    Another thing, religion was huge. My grandmother had always been religious, and i think that having faith in something helped a lot.
14. Be with her, but don't belittle her by doing things that remind her she is ill and may face mortality. You both know what she has, so file it in the back and try to keep things as normal as possible. Be upbeat but not insincere about it. Even if she didn't have cancer you wouldn't be guaranteed she would be with you tomorrow so in reality you still have the privilege to spend time with her. Learn about her life, her hopes, dreams, her experiences. After she tells them to you, remember them so you can honour her by passing them on to your grandchildren. Try crossword puzzles, which not only will provide an activity but also exercise her mind and help prevent Alzheimer's. Think about her home life and try to provide her the same environment, from clothes to shampoo to a favourite blanket or shawl. TALK to her, read to her, find a new activity that the both of you can learn together, whether cards, a foreign language, books, anything that only the two of you will share. You have a wonderful heart and both of you are lucky to have each other.