New balancing act
Hello I have two kids girl aged 9 and boy aged 5. I was diagnosed 2nd December and will start Chemo on the 3rd Jan. I’m just trying to work out how to balance family, chemo and work. It is hard bec...
Forum Discussion
@Canberramum - I think everyone has pretty well covered most of it .... just do what is right for YOU.
Re your first chemo treatment - maybe your ipad/music/headphones, or suduko or crossword books? Magazines are good - but I wouldn't take a novel as there is just too much distraction going on & you'd read the same page over & over I reckon. My husband just absorbed himself in his music list most times. Other times, he just shut his eyes & drifted off to sleep!
Having visitors stay whilst you are undergoing treatment is just a plain hassle - so don't get conned into that one again. If they want to visit - tell them the closest motel (or furtherest away) and you may find they will change their mind about the visit!! We had a good friend visit whilst my husband was having his chemo treatment & after 3 days, he asked when she was leaving - so I asked if she could cut the visit short. She was a bit 'miffed' initially but got over it & we remain friends. (We'd stayed at her place many times prior to that as hubby did many triathlons in her town .... )
Re your kids - here is some info that you & they can access, even a kids helpline if they want to talk to someone confidentially if they are struggling ... Ronald Macdonald Houses are also available as a bolt hole for you & your family to get away to. We have one in my town.
https://actcancer.org/information-and-support/publications/cancer-services-directory/support-for-children-and-families/
After your active treatment has finished, you can also contact the Otis Foundation who have holiday houses available in every state for BC patients - families make their holiday homes available for most of the year (except for holidays when they'd be using it themselves.) I had a wonderful holiday in Thredbo earlier this year with my husband, brother & wife. Depending on your treatment plan - try & organise it early on, as it can be many months before your desired 'spot' is available to you. Everything is supplied for you - you just have to get there & take your own food & drink!
https://www.otisfoundation.org.au/directory
Wishing you all the best as you start your treatment xxx
Re your first chemo treatment - maybe your ipad/music/headphones, or suduko or crossword books? Magazines are good - but I wouldn't take a novel as there is just too much distraction going on & you'd read the same page over & over I reckon. My husband just absorbed himself in his music list most times. Other times, he just shut his eyes & drifted off to sleep!
Having visitors stay whilst you are undergoing treatment is just a plain hassle - so don't get conned into that one again. If they want to visit - tell them the closest motel (or furtherest away) and you may find they will change their mind about the visit!! We had a good friend visit whilst my husband was having his chemo treatment & after 3 days, he asked when she was leaving - so I asked if she could cut the visit short. She was a bit 'miffed' initially but got over it & we remain friends. (We'd stayed at her place many times prior to that as hubby did many triathlons in her town .... )
Re your kids - here is some info that you & they can access, even a kids helpline if they want to talk to someone confidentially if they are struggling ... Ronald Macdonald Houses are also available as a bolt hole for you & your family to get away to. We have one in my town.
https://actcancer.org/information-and-support/publications/cancer-services-directory/support-for-children-and-families/
After your active treatment has finished, you can also contact the Otis Foundation who have holiday houses available in every state for BC patients - families make their holiday homes available for most of the year (except for holidays when they'd be using it themselves.) I had a wonderful holiday in Thredbo earlier this year with my husband, brother & wife. Depending on your treatment plan - try & organise it early on, as it can be many months before your desired 'spot' is available to you. Everything is supplied for you - you just have to get there & take your own food & drink!
https://www.otisfoundation.org.au/directory
Wishing you all the best as you start your treatment xxx