Be as fit and healthy as you possibly can be going into surgery or treatment – low fat, balanced meals; no drug taking. Many of the contributors admitted to ‘drowning their sorrows’ immediately after the diagnosis as a way of coping with the shock. All admitted it didn’t help – the j hangover just slowed their preparation. However, if smoking and drinking alcohol is a pattern of normal life, pressure by others to give these habits up at this time may increase your stress. Some women on organic and natural therapies increased the quality of their diets and lifestyle. Drinking alcohol just before chemotherapy may interfere with the drugs and set you back. One specialist presents his patients with a bottle of champagne after all chemotherapy is finished – a terrific time to celebrate!

Organize and delegate the household management to family and friends. It is not often in life that so much assistance will be offered. Graciously accept it. Be ‘Goddess of your Kingdom’ and list all the chores that take most of the time, which will deny loved ones time with you, or ‘mental ease’. Ironing, cooking, cleaning, creche/school pick up/ duties. A ‘dirty’ house however is not the end of the world. Sometimes doing what you need to do (such as household chores) feels good if it distracts and makes you feel better. Just don’t exhaust yourself.

Inform work and organize sick leave if you need and want to. Some women like to continue working; delegate career projects; organise your salary entitlements or income protection insurance, if you have it. You will need to decide who needs informing of your condition at this stage, and how you will share the information. Cancer Councils have excellent resources to support organizations and their staff. Nominate someone to be the information contact point. The professional relationship will wear thin if your home /hospital is bombarded with zillions of calls from concerned colleagues. Find out from your doctor a realistic time for you to go back to work. Think about easing yourself back to work by going part-time.

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