You will be upset at having to tell your husband, wife, children or a dependent parent about your illness. You may think that you should shield them and not tell them the truth. But try to be honest, and explain that you are not well and will need treatment. Reassure them that there will be people to help you all. The social worker at the hospital, or the community nurse, may help you to break the news to your family if you feel that you cannot do it yourself and have not got a close relative or friend to help you.
If you have children to look after or an elderly parent, you may need to make arrangements for their care while you are in hospital and having your treatment. Always accept the help offered by family, friends and neighbours. They will want to help, so let them do your shopping, washing, ironing fetching the children from school or do some cooking. Try not to make yourself over-tired and fraught by being too independent.
Let your children’s head teacher and class teacher know that you are ill and need treatment. They will then understand and be able to help if your children are upset at school.
