1. Don't avoid me.  Be the friend, the loved one you've always been.
2. Touch me.  A simple squeeze of the hand tells me you still care.
3. Call and tell me you're bringing over my favorite dish.  Bring food
   in disposable containers so I won't worry about returning them.
4. Watch my children while I take a little time to be alone with my
   loved one. My children may also need a vacation from my illness.
5. Cry with me when I cry and laugh with me when I laugh.  Don't
   be afraid to share these emotions with me.  Pain isolates.  Help
   me reconnect with others.
6. Take me out for a pleasure trip, but I know my limitations.
7. Call for my shopping list, and make a special delivery to my home.
8. Before you visit, call to let me know, but don't be afraid to visit. 
   I told you I can get lonely.
9. Help me celebrate holidays (and life) by decorating my hospital
   room or home, or by bringing me flowers or other natural treasures.
10. Help my family.  Invite them out.  Take them places.  I am sick,
    but they may be suffering also.  Offer to come and stay with me
    to give my loved ones a break.
11. Be creative.  Bring me a book of thoughts, taped music, a poster
    for my wall, cookies to share with my family and friends.
12. Let's talk about it.  Maybe I need to talk about my illness.  Find
    out by asking, "Do you feel like talking about it?"
13. Don't always feel we have to talk.  Sitting quietly together is fine. 
    Your presence confirms that I'm still important and alive.
14. Can you take me and/or my children somewhere?  I may need
    transportation to a treatment, to the store, or to my physician.
15. Help me feel good about myself by looking past my appearance.
16. Please include me in decision making.  I've been robbed of so may
    things. Don't deny me a chance to make decisions in my family
    and in my life.
17. Talk to me about the future.  Tomorrow, next week, next year. 
    Hope is so important to me.
18. Bring a positive attitude.  It's catching.  Help me respect reality.
19. What's in the news?  Magazines, photos, newspapers, and verbal
    reports keep me from feeling the world is passing me by.
20. Could you help me with some cleaning?  During my illness my family
    and I still face dirty clothes, dirty dishes, and a dirty house.
21. Water my flowers.
22. Just send a card to let me know you care.
23. Pray for me and share your faith with me.
24. Tell me how you'd like to help me, and when I agree, please do so.
25. Tell me about support groups so I can share with others.