Available to help

Many friends and relatives are stunned by the news of a diagnosis. They are overcome with an urge to offer help but are paralysed by not knowing what to say or offer. As someone who has been there, I assure you these are the things. Once I was feeling so ill on the sofa, a friend just turned up, came in and did my ironing, then left. No expectation that I act like a host or entertain them. They just came to take a job off my to-do list. To make my pile of things I was worrying about that little bit smaller. It seems wrong to not immediately get up and offer a cup of tea in response to an offer of help, but learning to accept unconditional support when it is offered doesn't make you lazy. Just gratitude for their help is payment enough. People helping me in my time of difficulty is something I'm still incredibly grateful for.