It is perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed with a diagnosis of cancer. Many women are so competent in many arenas, they are hesitant to ask for support.
YOU SHOULD GET HELP AT THIS TIME IN YOUR LIFE AND IT IS OK TO ASK FOR IT!!!
Friends often want to help but may be uncomfortable with your cancer diagnosis. They may offer unwanted advice because they don’t know what to say. Don’t feel you have to respond. Friends who are unsupportive may be unaware of what you need, fear their own mortality or have issues of their own. Most often, they do not intend to hurt you. Some people need more information on your disease to understand it. Share an article or book which reflects what you’re experiencing.
You know your friends and what support they are capable of providing. Some are good at just “checking in” by phone for a chat. Others are “doers” and can really pitch in. If you feel they can’t lend support one week, ask them to check again later.
Lotsa Helping Handsallows the creation of a free web-based community to help with spiritual, emotional and practical cancer support.
Go to mypinkplanner.com to help organize your life so you can focus on fighting breast cancer. My pink planner allows you to email your friends to encourage them to sign up on your personal website to help with chores which you designate.
When you are feeling up to it, make a list of tasks, for your friends who don’t use the web. As friends call or visit, you will have something concrete to ask them to do.
Ask someone to speak for you. A spouse, good friend or grown child can update your friends and family members and explain the kind of cancer support you need.
