How to avoid saying the wrong thing to a very sick friend

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http://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/schedule-for-tuesday-may-19-2015-1.3078672/how-to-avoid-saying-the-wrong-thing-to-a-very-sick-friend-1.3078693

Have you ever struggled for words when speaking with a very sick friend? Please put down that "Get Well Soon" card and listen to Emily McDowell.

The artist and cancer survivor, who has endured many awkward moments with well-meaning loved ones, joins Shad to discuss her funny and plain spoken "empathy cards". She offers her hard-earned insight on what not to say to someone with a serious illness.

McDowell also weighs in on the importance of humour that validates the experience, how good intentions can go so wrong, and why even clumsy but heartfelt expressions may land better than maxims and metaphors.

"[People] don't realize that the person who is ill is the same person they were the day before," she says.