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• jjennywren

  

  • 1 posts
  July 26, 2012 9:36:00 AM WATime

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  Hi I have a friend (who is going through her treatment surgery coming up soon) who has young children and feels she needs a little outside help with chores, but because her husband works and she recieves no government assistance, she hasnt been able to find any. All the information she recieved has been no help as everyone she has called say she needs to be over 65, and/or on a pension. She wants her children to have as normal as possible daily routine and they still need to do homework, etc. Her husband who is being very supportive also needs to work and do the daily things for the children. Does anyone know of an agency that can/do help with this. Which also doesnt cost a fortune as treatment is expensive enough.

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  July 26, 2012 10:37:28 AM WATime

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  Hi Jjennywren,
  Welcome to the Click. I am sure Glenys (Click BCN)will respond to your question. There is also BCCWA's BCNs or counsellor Kathy that you can contact for some advice just call 08 9324 3703 Heather will answer and then you can ask to be put through to the care team. Hope you can source some help for your friend. Kind regards
  Cyn (the Click Researcher)

  the Click Researcher
  

• amo68

  

  • 3 posts
  July 27, 2012 12:22:54 PM WATime

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  I would like to offer a suggestion in relation to government support to pay for support services. I was not eligible either for any government support as my husband works full-time and I was fortunate enough to have full trauma & income insurance but my husband was eligible for a carer allowance of $114 per fortnight as it is not income assessed. Talk to centrelink (there are 2 carer payments and 1 is income assessed) and ensure she has the forms completed by her doctor and herself (2 reports required) ONLY as her abilities are on her worst day when she receives treatment or it will be declined. My husbands application was initially declined as I was "not sick enough" and after a resubmission and a few choice words by my husband at a Centrelink office which he had never set foot in before, it was approved. This also qualified us for the government $600 recent payment which I would not normally get for my children due to our income being over treashhold. Finally, my mother-in-law and my mother asked family and friends not to send flowers and instead to give vouchers from my cleaning company for a cleaning lady. I ended up with 10 weeks of cleaning which was fantastic. Also dont be affraid to ask friends as some people dont know what to do and are happy to help cook casseroles, pick up kids from school or come and do some ironing whilst I rested. I hope this helps. Ann-Marie x x

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  July 27, 2012 1:50:42 PM WATime

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  Thats great advice Ann-marie. A Clicker to the rescue!

  the Click Researcher
  

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  July 27, 2012 7:58:03 PM WATime

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  Hi Jenny.
  
  The issue you have raised is a very important one!! Many things have improved in breast cancer treatment, and many supports are available, yet the one area that is still often not well-addressed is the day-to-day coping with busy life demands when you suddenly have to have treatments that leave you tired and less able to meet these demands! This may include trying to meet work commitments, children's needs (especially young children but can be any age!), and household chores (that endless very demanding aspect of our lives that gets food on the table, clean clothes and all the rest of the daily aspects of living!!).
  
  We can get help with information and counselling, and even such things as bras and prosthesis (many of these things were not available until recently), and of course all the medical treatments are available in the public system in Australia via medicare (not so in many other countries!). Yet getting by day-to-day, not having our daily lives thrown into chaos, not having the children affected in some way - especially young children where the 'routine' is so important to help maintain a sense of calm and order, and where demands may be variable and very exhausting!. These are the areas many people have difficulty with and worry about. And this is the area that is not well established as far as a recognised support program. Each state, even each council in each city, has different support programs! Some states have fantastic additional ‘supports’ – as I know you are in South Australia, your local breast care nurse (i.e. your friend’s) should be able to advise about any support groups that may help with practical/financial assistance. The Cancer Council (13 11 20) also will know – you may have tried them already??.
  
  The advice posted by Ann-Marie (amo68) is absolutely spot-on! I could not have said it better and send my thanks for these ‘pearls of wisdom’!!! Please ensure your friend receives this. Approaching Centrelink often does very much depend which ‘angle’ is taken, and make sure the correct forms are completed! For advice on this, speaking with a Social Worker at the treating hospital is often useful. Family and friends often DO want to help but don’t know how!, and if told some practical help or some ‘extra’ financial assistance to fund cleaning or other useful service is what is really needed, will often be happy to help out. We often do hate asking for help, but this is truly the time to put our reservations aside and ask!
  
  So very wonderful you are there to look out for your friend, Jenny. She has the best advantage right there!! – a wonderfully supportive and caring friend. It means so very much!! Congratulations on doing a wonderful service and being such a support to her!
  All the very best with your friend’s endeavours. Remember we are here whenever you (or your friend) need advice or just a chat.
  
  Loads of love and hugs, Glenys (Click Breast Care Nurse) xx
  

  The Click Breast Care Nurse