Invalid Etiquette
We have established through trial and error that variations on the question "How are you?" are not of benefit to the emotional health of a cancer patient. The response is rather self-evident and likely to begin the conversation on a cranky note.
The correct form of address is "How are you feeling?" This serves not only as a means to express concern over the welfare of the person being addressed, but also provides valuable information to the inquirer that is helpful to match the length of visitation to the cancer patient's ability to appreciate and participate in social interaction.
Caution should be used however, when the visitor is not the first one to call upon the patient. What was meant as a friendly question can seem like an odious interrogation when it has been heard repeatedly from multiple sources.
Even a very tired patient may welcome a visitation. Hospital stays are often a combination of unpleasant uncomfortable procedures followed by long tedious waits for the next procedural indignity. A visitor can often be a welcome relief to this cycle.
A tired patient should be addressed largely in the form of a monologue, with just enough yes/no questions interspersed to invite participation. A delay in response is a strong sign that the visit should draw to a close, while answers that expand on a simple yes/no indicates quite the opposite.
[shit. I sound like Emily Post, don't I?]
The correct form of address is "How are you feeling?" This serves not only as a means to express concern over the welfare of the person being addressed, but also provides valuable information to the inquirer that is helpful to match the length of visitation to the cancer patient's ability to appreciate and participate in social interaction.
Caution should be used however, when the visitor is not the first one to call upon the patient. What was meant as a friendly question can seem like an odious interrogation when it has been heard repeatedly from multiple sources.
Even a very tired patient may welcome a visitation. Hospital stays are often a combination of unpleasant uncomfortable procedures followed by long tedious waits for the next procedural indignity. A visitor can often be a welcome relief to this cycle.
A tired patient should be addressed largely in the form of a monologue, with just enough yes/no questions interspersed to invite participation. A delay in response is a strong sign that the visit should draw to a close, while answers that expand on a simple yes/no indicates quite the opposite.
[shit. I sound like Emily Post, don't I?]