Lori Hope is an author that speaks from her heart.  She also is a cancer survivor, so what better person to convey the message to us who have never struggled with cancer to better understand the needs of  cancer patients.

In her new book entitled ,”Help Me Live-20 things people with cancer want you to know“.  Lori explores in a very personal way how we can help and serve those who are in the grips of dealing with a potentially life threatening disease.

After interviewing scores of cancer patients, caregivers, doctors and health care professionals, Lori has authored a book that is a must read for anyone who would like to learn more about how to communicate with cancer patients.

I can relate to what Lori says for I have a son who was diagnosed with cancer.  While is may be impossible to empathize if you have not had cancer yourself, it is possible to sympathize and have compassion.  But even that is not enough.  We all need information to ensure we communicate effectively–not to say the “right thing”, but to get the desired result: to make those who are are ill feel better rather than worse.

Lori’s book is filled with inspirational stories from cancer patients allowing the reader to understand at a very deep level what spiritually, physically and mentally the patients are experiencing.  These stories and insights conveyed by the cancer patients provide the reader with a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings they are experiencing, and how better to communicate with them.

Each one of Lori’s twenty chapters are the 20 most important messages people with cancer want to convey, such as:  “I need to forget – and laugh”;  “I want you to understand if I don’t call you back”; and “I want comfort, not advice.” You’ll learn that communicating effectively doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a “right thing” to say or do, but that you can achieve the desired result: to make those who are ill feel better. In candid and beautifully detailed prose, Help Me Live will help you find the words or gestures to show how much you care.

I encourage everyone who is involved in the support or caregiver of a cancer patient to read Lori’s book, and to learn from the countless stories and work that she put into researching this book.  I know that it will make a difference not only for the caregivers, but especially for the cancer patients themselves.

If you would like to learn more about Lori Hope please visit her website by clicking here.  Enjoy this podcast with a soul who has traveled the path of cancer and has tremendous insight to teach us about what to do and say as caregivers, friends and supporters.