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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...
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@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