How can I help?

My wife begins chemo for breast cancer in a few days.  This is her 3rd diagnosis, the first was 20 years ago, the second, 10 but this is the first time for chemo!  We’re both worried but I’m trying not to show iit.

Can anyone suggest things I can do to make it as easy as possible for her and possibly more importantly, tell me what I shouldn’t say or do?

  • Hi, my wife just finished 24 weeks of Chemo and had surgery last week for her treble negative breast cancer. I think it depends on the type of chemotherapy what side effects she gets but my wife had to have it in 3 weekly cycles and generally she would feel quite rough for the first half of the cycle so I would help by basically doing all the house work, making her dinner, doing all the school runs, being on call for support with any medicines and similarly being around just for any general conversations etc. It's hard going even when supporting your partner, I was lucky as my work have been really supportive and allowed me to predominantly work from home so I can be there to help but it's worth having a conversation with your employer as it's likely you will need to help take her to appointments etc particularly if she can't drive etc. I wish you and your wife the best of luck in her recovery.

  • Hi, my wife is currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer and previously had ovarian cancer (5 years ago).  It’s definitely a tough time and depending on the type of chemotherapy the side effects can be rough however in response to your post, guess all you can do is just be there for her. As mentioned in the previous post, do the housework, cook…collect her meds and go to appointments with her …basically priorities her and acknowledge that this is probably the worst time for her in her life…but that your there for her..which I’m sure you are because your asking the right questions. You can also request free counselling  from McMillan and look at their site to see what other support they can provide that might be helpful for you both. Don’t forget to chat to your mates to off load….let work know what’s going on and take any help offered. I wish you and your wife all the best and good luck with her recovery.