You want to help, but aren't sure what good you can do.
Studies show that the loving support of friends and family is critical in the healing process.
Sending cards and flowers is nice, but experts suggest you go beyond the surface actions. You may think you're doing the rest of the family a favor by hiding a person's illness, but it just creates more problems. You'll get stressed out, plus the family is cheated out of the opportunity to provide support. Include the kids. Young children may have a limit on what they can understand, but not telling them will make them feel left out.