A Thinking of You card with a Hope you are doing well message would be nice.

Thinking of you cards are great because you are letting him know that someone cares about him, but there's not any pressure for him to respond.

Yes, I agree with the Thinking of You card but the Get Well card will also be appropriate.

I remember a few years ago I worked with a lady who went to the doctor and found out she had terminal cancer. I went to visit her and wanted to take a card along to give her but a get well card didnt sound like the thing to give her. I got her a card that said something like everyone misses her.

I agree with all of the above. My thought is to write the card yourself in your own words. Maybe that is what you planned anyway. I think it is. I'm not a fan of sing songy cards. When I was sick with cancer someone gave me a card after surgery that suggested they were so sorry that the future seems so bleak now but......etc. I was very upset because I was told the surgery had good results and then this card made me feel like people were lying to me and I couldn't trust anyone.

I'd go with a get well/thinking of you card, but write something in it to catch up on what's going on, maybe a reminiscence of good times together, etc. That could bring a smile to someone who's having bad times and not feeling well.

Also if you are interested in spending some dollars, a balloon bouquet has always been popular with people when I've sent them. Any age. Flowers are too funeral like for many, a plant is better but if the person doesn't like taking care of plants, that's not good. A muffin basket or fruit basket is nice if they like them. But a cheerful balloon display is easy, lasts a long time and put a card in with it, you have a winner. They're not as cheap as a card though so judge what you want to spend.

Are you asking because it might be misinterpreted as more than just being concerned and friendly?

Schoolhouse,

I guess what I'm really asking is about the timing. I didn't say anything about his health issues when I wrote the sympathy card. My thinking was that the death of his wife is really primary, hard to send a cheery get well greeting in a sympathy card.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I'll send a "thinking of you" card in a couple of weeks, sometime after his wife's service.

Thanks again,
Ellen

When I was much younger, one of my aunts had terminal cancer and I was living 3,000 miles away. I didn't want to send a get well card so I just wrote her a handwritten note telling her about my job and what I was doing. I knew she would enjoy hearing from me.