CREATING A SUPPORT NETWORK

Creating a Support Network is an absolute essential.  It reduces stress and ensures your body will get the appropriate amounts of rest and nourishment during this time.  Many of the treatment options for cancer have side effects which will introduce new unexpected limitations.  A carefully planned and organized Support Network can alleviate much of the stress associated with these changes. 

Sometimes people feel uncomfortable asking for help.   They don’t want to inconvenience others or make their illness the center of attention.  Remember, every time you ask someone to play a significant role in your recovery, you are offering them an opportunity to feel good about themselves.  Try to reversing roles and consider how giving you would be if the shoe were on the other foot.   

SUPPORT ROLES

♦  Make initial phone calls
♦  Organize Support Network once you have established a list
♦  Walk with you daily
♦  Meal preparation
♦  Cleaning
♦  Information Gathering (Internet or otherwise)
♦  Child care
♦  Pet care 
♦  Transportation to appointments
♦  Take notes during appointments
♦  Care during treatment
♦  Care during recovery
♦  Dealing with insurance claims/follow up
♦  Writing thank you notes
♦  Return calls & update friends/family

 

SUPPORT RESOURCES

♦  PTA
♦  Church
♦  Fitness Club
♦  Co-workers
♦  Neighbors
♦  Friends
♦  Family
♦  Local Cancer Support Center

Consider all resources when compiling your Support Network.  Also consider the relationship you have with each of your potential Support Persons.  Just because someone is available at a specific time doesn’t mean they are the right person for the job.  Perhaps your sister drives you absolutely crazy, but she is available and is insisting she be the one to take you to each and every appointment.  This is your health and it is absolutely essential that you make choices that decrease your level of stress rather than increasing it.  Rather than allowing your sister to run your treatment or cutting her out completely, consider options which would allow her to be involved without introducing greater stress.  Perhaps she can be the informant to other family/friends or the person who follows up with insurance.

If you find that there are a lot of pivotal people in your life who actually cause you a great deal of stress, consider working in part with a neutral outside source of support. 

 

A NOTE FROM LISA

Sometimes it can seem like a daunting task to organize your support network. I can help you to determine what is essentia,l and coordinate the production of your support network. -lisa m watson

Download:  Support Network Information Chart