Resources for Mothers With Breast Cancer

https://hfmeals.org/​In this blog, we are going to be discussing the many resources out there for mothers and families dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. As we move into this new year and you recognize that you might need more help, let go of any embarrassment or shame attached to it. These resources are here for a reason, we urge you to take advantage of them! 

Welcome to 2020, friends. We are glad to be here with you, and we are glad that you are reading this blog today. We hope that at this time you are finding solace in your loved ones, fighting hard in your battle, or learning every day from your recovery. In this blog, we are going to be continuing our discussion on how to deal with a breast cancer diagnosis as a mother. We mentioned in our last blog that at times it seems impossible to be a parent and deal with a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery all at the same time. It might feel that way, but we stress that it's not impossible. One of the first steps you have to take is to throw out any idea of doing it perfectly or like anyone else. You are figuring out a plan that is tailored to your family and your treatment. Just like life and parenthood, this process will be a little messy, hectic, planned by the seat of your pants, and filled with love and dedication. 

We focused a lot on surrounding yourself with your tribe in our last blog, the strength to say "no" when you need to and to learn to ask for help when you need it. This blog is going to be about the outside resources that can help you and your family and giving you a break on a lot of things out of your control during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Choosing to use these resources does take an act of commitment and being confident in using them. There is nothing wrong with utilizing any of them, and no ounce of shame or embarrassment should be placed on you by anyone or yourself if you choose to use these resources. If there is anyone who is giving you a hard time (including yourself!) it might be time to remove those negative people and those negative thoughts out of your life. 

There are so many resources out there for you, and what we will be sharing is just the tip of the iceberg. If you require anything during your treatment, there is someone out there who can offer that help to you. Even though this is just a partial list, we are splitting this blog into two parts as not to overwhelm our readers and so you can take in this information as best you can! 

Keeping House 
Let's start with cleaning. After a particularly long journey of treatment, or even just one very difficult round of chemo, keeping house may be the last thing you want to do or have the energy for. It might be difficult to have a stranger come into your home to clean up. But it can be a huge help and weight off your shoulders during treatment and recovery. Your family will continue to throw toys, dirty laundry, dishes, and clutter around your home, even at the height of your health that can be annoying and exhausting. Let someone else come in and help you deal with that. Plus, a clean and organized home is proven to be relaxing, calming, and guaranteed to provide peace of mind. There are many ways to hire someone or a service to clean your home. If you're in any kind of financial need or want to take advantage of any incredible services available to you, they are out there. 

This is where companies like Cleaning For A Reason comes into the picture. They are a nonprofit organization that partners with over 1200 maid services across the country to provide free home cleaning to cancer patients. Their services are open to anyone actively having cancer treatments. It is a highly sought after service, and sadly not every location has partnered with maid services that are connected to this company. But if you can get connected with them, you are eligible for two free cleanings once a month. 

For more information, visit their website below: 
https://cleaningforareason.org/

Bellies Full 
Next, let's talk about dinner. Grocery shopping, prepping, and making three meals a day for your family 365 days a year is a lot for anyone. This shouldn't be an added stress during your treatment, and with all the resources out there, it doesn't have to be. If you need a service to do your grocery shopping and have them delivered, plenty of grocery stores offer that option. You can also have them delivered through Amazon and Google, along with a plethora of other apps like Shipt, Instacart, Peapod, Fresh Direct, and more! You can also get already prepared meals delivered to your home that you have to assemble or warm up and enjoy. Companies like Blue Apron, Home Chef, Hello Fresh, and Freshly are just a click away if you are looking for something like that.

There are also numerous and wonderful companies and foundations out there who deliver home-cooked healthy meals for free for families dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment. We recommend looking locally for these resources, as most of them are not nationally based. Start looking at local churches, Meals on Wheels, and other similar foundations. But to start, check out the resources below. 

• If you are local to the New Jersey and New York area, Healing Meals is an incredible option. It was one of the first programs available to provide nutritious meals for families undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

For more information, visit the website below: 
http://www.healthbarnfoundation.org/healing-meals/#

• If you are in the Greater Nashville, TN area Meals 4 Health is another fantastic resource. They provide beautiful, delicious, and healing meals to people in their community in crisis due to a cancer diagnosis. 

For more information visit their website below: 
hfmeals.org/

• If you are located in the New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, and North Carolina areas there is Magnolia Meals at Home. This is a delivery program that aims to help patients by providing nourishing meals to households affected by cancer so loved ones can spend time together. Participants can receive up to two months of home meal deliveries. 

For more information, visit their website below: 
http://www.magnoliamealsathome.com/

We hope this helped open up your mind to some of the amazing resources out there available to you. They might be the hardest to say "yes" to since they interfere and intervene on some of the most basic and personal household duties. But these are also some of the most important duties that affect both you and your children. Keep that in mind when deciding if they are the right choice for you or not. 

In our next blog, we will be discussing some of the resources available specifically for your children during your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Keep in mind that there are a lot of resources just for them, so please take comfort in that. Until next time stay positive, fight hard, and remember that you are not alone.