Do I Need to Ask for Any Help after Completion of Therapy?
Cancer survivors often benefit from assistance during cancer treatments. Even after your treatments have ended, the physical effects and emotional strain continue for a variable period of time. In effect, your body is still under treatment at a time that your physical and emotional reserves are depleted. Getting help now will conserve your reserves and allow you to focus your energy on getting well again. You will spare yourself unnecessary frustration and disappointment if you learn from others the ins and outs of recovery instead of trying to discover everything for yourself.
Asking for help is a sign of courage and control. Asking for help provides others the opportunity to feel fulfilled. Asking for help promotes everyone’s recovery.
What Kind of Help Do I Need?
Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit from
• continued practical help until you are stronger—for example, with meals or carpooling
• information about your current condition, your options regarding further treatment and prevention of future medical problems, and factors that will speed your recovery both physically and emotionally
• advice about coping with the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual changes
• emotional support
Where Do I Get Help?
Talk to your family and friends. Despite how you feel, it may not be obvious to them that you need help or how they can provide it. Although your needs may be less obvious than they were when you were first diagnosed, they are no less real. If you do not make them clear, family and friends who would have wanted to help may disappear from the helping scene out of ignorance. Asking for help when you need it will speed your recovery, which will benefit everyone. Allowing people to help offers them an opportunity to do something fulfilling. You help others by asking for help.
Local cancer support groups are a valuable resource. Other survivors will be able to listen to and understand your feelings and concerns, and offer real advice on how best to get and stay well.
Social workers, counselors, clergy, and psychologists can spare you unnecessary or prolonged periods of grief, depression, and anxiety by helping you define the problems and outline healthy solutions. There are some definite advantages for everyone if you work with a professional who is not personally involved in your home or family. The distance allows him or her to see and advice in areas that are too sensitive for family or friends.
Other woefully underutilized resources are the local and national hotlines, information clearinghouses, and support groups. They all provide information and support. When they cannot answer your question or need themselves, they can direct you to the resource that can. Information and contact numbers for support services can be obtained from your hospital’s oncology department, or by calling the Cancer Information Service. This will connect you to the Cancer Council, Foundation or Society in your state.
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Tags: Cancer
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