Frustrated and upset by my lack of IRL help and support
Diagnosed last month with IDC in left breast. This is just the latest in a series of crisis I've suffered over the past several years, and I already had high anxiety levels and and PTSD. I am now the single mother of two younger kids, and have no family around to help me, and only a few friends.
after I was diagnosed I talked to the social worker last month at the main hospital that has a cancer center, where I would probably go for any radiology or chemo. When I first met with her she ticked off ways she could find help for me.
But when I talked to her last week, almost everything she had mentioned was a no go. I am too far out of that hospital area for volunteers near the hospital to bring me meals (even though that hospital is only 10 miles away), my insurance company won't pay for any help unless I have a mastectomy, etc. Not sure if she would be able to arrange rides either.
I did register for Cleaning for a Reason. And I called the American Cancer Society and they gave me a couple local groups. But when I looked up one of them, it says they will only help if I need chemo, or am disabled because of cancer. I am keeping their number
Another local group I talked to said they may be able to find me help (using grant money), I just need my Drs office to register with them saying I do have cancer. Its just I've been burned before, so until I actually see the help coming, I'm not getting my hopes up.
Anyway all this has only increased my anxiety and upset, because I worry what will happen to me and my kids if I have even a shorter period of time where I can't function and do stuff. Plus, I work part-time at a small company and only get paid for the hours I work, so again if I can't work for any period of time it will be a financial hit.
The one saving grace is my former husband and I are not legally divorced so I am still on his company's health insurance which is pretty good. And he is helpful with the kids, but that's a huge double bind because I could write a book about what I've been thru with him and his serious issues (severe midlife crisis, addicted to pot and porn, much younger girlfriend living with him who is so messed up herself I've been told by 3 therapists my kids shouldn't be around her. So I can't even get a break by having him take the kids to his apartment)
Comments
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Jenn, it sounds like you are talking lumpectomy-if so,you are you will only be out of commission for a couple of days. I had a golf ball sized chunk taken out of me and I could have gone back to work the next day. The doc told me to take the day after surgery off, so two days. It sounds like you are not talking about doing chemo right now. Radiation might make you tired, but is doable. I think a seventeen year old and ten year old are old enough to be fairly self sufficient and help you take care of things around the house. I don't think at this point that things will be nearly as disruptive as you are anticipating. I know coping on your own is hard. I live alone and none of my family lives here either.
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I too was worried about doing double mastectomy, chemo and rads (coming up) as I don't have help either. I had my bro with me a few days after sx but after the second day home I really didn't need him. Did my 4 drains myself. Before he left I stocked up on what was needed and on food stuff so I didn't have to go out much if I didn't feel like it. I set up the house to where things needed were in plain sight and easy to reach. It didn't look neat but who cares, it's about getting set up so things are easy. Make some meals ahead of time and freeze. Things like this if you are concerned about your functionality at home. Also you have 2 kids that I'm sure can help if needed. I have bad knees too and steep stairs up to my apt. I thought no way I can do this by myself, but I got myself through sx, 5 weeks of infection (including a few days in the hospital), 4 months of chemo and now 6.5 weeks of rads is on tap next. You'd be amazed what you can do, but in the event you need help, your kids should be of age to be able to. Try not to panic. For the majority of us it really wasn't near as bad as we thought it was going to be.
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Thanks for this, It helps to hear from those who've BTDT. the last time I saw my BS he kept telling me how early they caught this. etc. I was in such an emotional state he even patted me on the shoulder and looked concerned because of how anxious I was.
I am lucky he is very good and very nice, kind of a Marcus Welby MD type.
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