If you’re treating for breast cancer, you know just how challenging it can be to balance treatments and doctor’s appointments with your regular day-to-day tasks and errands, especially when you’re dealing with fatigue, pain, and other side effects. You may have been able to juggle your family, professional, and social life more easily in the past, but part of adjusting to the new normal of breast cancer includes making some changes. Rather than try to do everything on your own, it might be time to ask for some help.
Asking for help is not easy for everyone, especially those who have traditionally managed their household or take pride in their independence. But there is no shame in acknowledging that you need help from other people, many of whom will be happy that there is something they can do to help you.
Here is some advice on how to ask for help when you need it most.
Start at home
If you’re living with a spouse or partner, they are likely your primary source of help and support. After your diagnosis, the roles and responsibilities you’ve each assumed — earning income, child care, household chores, preparing meals, or other daily tasks — may need some adjustment.
Perhaps your partner is exceptionally supportive and you’ve already figured out how to adjust responsibilities in a way that works for both of you. But every relationship is unique, and if you’re feeling like there is too much on your plate, you might need to work on communicating with your partner to make sure they understand your needs and limitations.
At the same time, your partner may need some help, as well. Figure out what adjustments are needed in the household, and if it’s too much for the two of you, perhaps you can ask family and friends for help together.
If you have older children living at home or nearby, consider asking them to take on some additional responsibilities around the house. You may find it difficult to communicate openly with your children about how you’re feeling out of fear that you might upset them, but older children and young adults are likely to be aware of the seriousness of breast cancer and may be looking for an opportunity to help.
Of course, many people live alone or far away from friends and relatives. If you don’t have a big support network at home or nearby, consider reaching out to local resources such as a church or community organization. Also, take advantage of your hospital’s social workers — the place where you receive treatment likely has resources you can use to obtain some assistance. A staff social worker will be able to refer you to support groups, caregivers, and other resources.
Prioritize and delegate
Help from others may be limited, so take some time to think carefully about what you can handle on your own and what you most need help with.
It’s also smart to think about who in your support network will be best suited to help with particular tasks. If you have a friend who loves to cook, ask that person for help with preparing meals. If you have a relative with a flexible work schedule, perhaps that is the person who might be able to pick your kids up from school. Or if you’re lucky enough to have a nurse or other medical professional in the family, ask if they’re willing to go to doctor’s appointments with you to be an extra set of eyes and ears.
Delegating tasks to different people is also important so that you don’t rely too much on one person and so you don’t fail to include others who may want to help, as well.
You could even make a list of people who have offered to help and think carefully about the best ways they can contribute.
However, don’t be afraid to set boundaries — it’s OK to say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to well-meaning people you aren’t comfortable with for whatever reason.
When people offer help, accept it
You may find that friends and family often ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?” Get comfortable with saying “yes” to this question, and be prepared with specific suggestions, such as help with childcare, running errands, or preparing meals. Anticipate what you might need, and if someone offers to help, take them up on it.
Do you have friends who ask How can I help? Because often people do. Tell the next person who asks you that, ‘Yes, you can help! I need help filling in these forms!’”
Sometimes a friend or relative’s offer to help may be vague, or they might fail to follow up. Consider reaching out rather than assuming their offer was insincere. They may not know exactly what you need or how to help. A specific request from you could be all it takes. Help is a lot easier to accept if you keep in mind how good it makes you feel when you can help others.
Give up some control
A difficult part of relying on others for help may be accepting that they do things a bit differently than you would. Maybe it’s not exactly the way you would clean the house, prepare a meal, or do the laundry. But with a little work, you can learn to give up some control and focus on the fact that these tasks are getting done, and that you have supportive people in your life who care enough about you to help out.
At the same time, it’s also important to accept that you can’t control how people may respond to a request for help. Some people may be too busy to help. Others may agree to help and fail to keep their word. This may feel disappointing, but don’t let it discourage you from reaching out to others.
Make use of digital tools
Using social media can be a smart way to figure out who in your network is willing and able to offer you help. Consider posting a request on Facebook, or creating a private group through sites like CaringBridge or Lotsa Helping Hands to coordinate tasks with your friends and family. Or, simply create a group text to keep everyone in the loop on when you might need someone to walk the dog, give you a ride to an appointment, or help prepare a meal.
Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for help
If you’re experiencing side effects from treatment, such as pain, trouble sleeping, or depression that is severe enough that it is impacting your quality of life, ask your doctor for help with managing them. Don’t suffer in silence.
Be sure to ask for whatever chemical help you need. If you’re in pain, get it controlled. Having trouble sleeping? Ask for sleeping pills. Depressed? Get meds. It’s really hard for us to ask for help, but sometimes it’s necessary.
Get financial help
Medical costs can be a financial strain for people with breast cancer and their families, even if you have good health coverage. Financial resources can be stretched even thinner if you’ve had to stop working or reduce your work schedule. If you find yourself in need of financial help, there are resources out there you should know about.
Look into whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Income (SSI) benefits. If submitting a disability claim is right for your situation, this can be expedited for people with MBC based on the Compassionate Allowances initiative. Ask a friend or family member to help you file your claim, or visit your local Social Security Administration office to speak to a representative who can help you.
Forge may be able to help you with financial help like transportation for medical appointments, grocery gift cards, and more. We an also provide you with a volunteer financial advisor to help you work through a budget and plan for the future. Contact our Clinical Services Coordinator, Janet Dees, at (205) 990-5367 or [email protected].
You can also find help with insurance reimbursement and referrals to co-pay relief programs through PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool.
There may be additional local resources you can reach out to for help in your community.
Work through feelings of guilt or shame
Asking for help can be difficult and can make you feel like you’re losing your independence or burdening your loved ones. But try to remember how you would feel about helping your friends and family members if they needed it. Most people truly do want to help but often don’t know how. Accept that it’s OK to need help and to reach out and ask for it. Try to have faith in your friends, family, and community.
Needing help is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. In fact, knowing when you need help is a sign of strength and self-awareness. When living with breast cancer, asking for help might just need to be part of your new normal from now on. And that is OK.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Forge’s Client Services Coordinator, Janet Dees, at (205) 990-5367 or [email protected]. Si hablas español y quieres más información, por favor contacta a Yadira Robayna, al (205) 990-5375 O al [email protected].
Source: Breastcancer.org