Should I Send a Get Well or Thinking of You Card?

I think the rule of thumb when deciding to send a Get Well Card or Thinking of You Card is the level of illness of the recipient. So, if the patient is sure to recover I would send a Get Well Card followed up with a Thinking of You card later. If the patient is terminal, sending a Get Well Card is thoughtless and cruel so I would send a Thinking of You Card.

Let’s say you don’t know the degree of the patient’s condition but you want to send a card to let them know you care and you want to boost their spirits. Sending a Thinking of You Card or a Get Well Cards with subtle message like “Wishing you the Best” are options. Also, if the card has a preprinted greeting-read it!-if the sentiment offers prayers during a difficult time and the patient has a broken finger, may be overkill.

It is difficult to know the right words to write in a Get Well or Thinking of You card, here are some suggestions:

  • I am so sorry to hear you’ve been ill.
  • I’m wishing you the very best during your recovery
  • I hope you’re doing well and are on the road to recovery.
  • And my favorite, You are in my thoughts/prayers.

What not to do is also important as:

  • Don’t compare illnesses – not a great idea
  • Do not tell stories you heard about the hospital, doctor or your Aunt Jane who had sort of the same thing…

Showing someone compassion is a virtue which should be admired.

10 thoughts on “Should I Send a Get Well or Thinking of You Card?”

  1. Especially during the Covid pandemic, this article gives great advice. Well done! I think expressing “You are in my thoughts/prayers.” is always appropriate.

  2. I received a Get Well Card from my church after I had my knee surgery. They obviously didn’t really look at the greeting inside as it said “our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family”. I felt like they knew something I didn’t. Oh well, it was the thought that counted.

  3. I try to get something that isn’t too serious or formal. I like blank thinking of you cards so I can customize the appropriate message inside.

  4. You have got to be sensitive to the person you are sending to. Be mindful of the reason you are sending the card.

  5. Thank you for your suggestions. I never knew the difference between Get Well and Thinking of You cards, but it now makes sense. This has been so helpful!

  6. This is a really helpful article – making the distinction between sending a get well card to someone who is recovering versus terminally ill. Great job!

  7. I can’t remember ever receiving a Get Well Card, but how nice that would have been! I don’t think you can go wrong sending a Get Well or Thinking of You card to anyone who’s ill.

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