Endometrial cancer (EC) treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have side effects that impact your energy levels and physical well-being. Extreme fatigue and nausea can quickly impact your quality of life and mood. Allowing yourself to ask for help and accept help when it’s offered can make a big difference in managing life during treatment.
Learning to accept help
A diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming, and your initial reaction may be to want to handle it in a private way. You may feel that asking for help makes you a burden to others, or perhaps you feel vulnerable or embarrassed admitting that you need practical support.
In reality, your family, friends, colleagues and even neighbors will regularly express their desire to help. Helping others is part of human nature. Rather than seeing your needs as a burden, your community will take satisfaction from helping you.
Accepting this help can actually be a sign of strength and understanding of your situation, as well as a chance for growth.
While eager to help, friends and family may not know exactly what you need; many patients will hear “Let me know how I can help,” but not know how to respond. Some find it useful to think of small tasks they could use help with ahead of time, so that they have an answer in the moment.
In return, remember to show your appreciation by saying thanks — but don’t worry if you don’t send a thank-you card: Your loved ones will understand your energy is limited.
Read more about EC treatment and care
Ways to ask for help
Asking for help may feel confronting or embarrassing, particularly if you’ve never needed to before. You may think you can manage, only to realize that juggling the demands of cancer treatment will require rest and recovery. Allowing yourself to seek help is a smart, proactive step that will give you the space to heal.
Start with your inner circle — close family members and friends — who are aware of your diagnosis. Share with them specific ways that your cancer treatment affects you and daily life. Express your need for support during this time, to help you cope with the treatment and take the time to recover properly.
Once you’ve become comfortable with the concept of asking others help you, it’s time to suggest some practical ways in which your community can do so.
Consider the following ideas and tailor them to your needs:
- Running errands.
- Cooking a meal.
- Taking care of children.
- Walking the dog.
- Accompanying you to appointments.
- Coming to visit.
- Boosting your morale.
- Having normal conversations.
- Providing emotional support.
By expressing your specific needs, you are helping others to help you through a difficult time. The cycle of giving and receiving means at some point you will be in a position to help others.
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