{"id":5398,"date":"2025-09-24T15:19:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T15:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/GB\/?p=5398"},"modified":"2025-09-24T15:19:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T15:19:11","slug":"supporting-a-loved-one-with-a-stoma-during-chemotherapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/GB\/blog\/supporting-a-loved-one-with-a-stoma-during-chemotherapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting a loved one with a stoma during chemotherapy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/span>
\n

Supporting a loved one with a stoma during chemotherapy<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You are so important to support a loved one through their cancer journey. Litte small touches can make huge differences, but there\u2019s a lot for you to understand as well. Here are some things to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educate yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t already know, learn what a stoma is and how it impacts daily life. Why not check out these articles<\/strong><\/mark><\/a> to understand the background and some challenges?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing about a cancer diagnosis can be difficult for you too but try and listen actively to your loved one, giving them space to open up in their own time and share their thoughts, expressing their feelings and concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allow privacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, respect your loved one\u2019s privacy. They may not be ready to talk or share details about their stoma, give time and space and allow them discretion for changes so they do not feel self-conscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offer help<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be direct with your offers. Instead of asking how you can help, be specific:<\/p>\n\n\n\n