CANCER ANSWER TUESDAYS
by Allison W. Gryphon
With my Friend Isis who stood by my side
and helped me through every step of the way,
including helping me figure out how to budget.
including helping me figure out how to budget.
Cancer is a life change that is full of
surprises. The first surprise I got and
the last surprise I wanted was the diagnosis. Unfortunately that is not the
only thing that needs to be taken into consideration. Being diagnosed with
cancer impacts everything in your life, including your finances. Below is a
check list of items to take in to consideration in planning how to fight your
cancer financially.... And for those of you who have not been diagnosed, but do have a cancer fighter in your life, there are many considerations below that can turn into wonderful and helpful gifts.
1. OUT OF POCKET MEDICAL COSTS
Depending on where you are and what your
coverage is, you will most likely have out-of-pocket medical costs. This can be
everything from visits to the doctor to stocking up on supplies at home.
2. TRANSPORTATION
Gasoline, parking, wear and tear on your
car and taxi cab expenses go way up when you are going from one doctor to
another several times each week.
3.
TIME OFF WORK
Anyone going through cancer treatment that is part of the work force will need to take a certain amount of time off. For many, this will mean an adjustment in income that needs to be taken into consideration.
Anyone going through cancer treatment that is part of the work force will need to take a certain amount of time off. For many, this will mean an adjustment in income that needs to be taken into consideration.
4. NEW CLOTHES
Whether it be surgery, chemotherapy,
radiation or all of the above, cancer treatment brings changes in your body. It’s likely that you
will want to make some adjustments to your wardrobe.
5. FOOD
Shopping for groceries and preparing
food can change in many ways with a cancer diagnosis. Depending on the
circumstances, the diagnosis may mean an overhaul of your diet and an added
expense. In addition the act of shopping and preparing food can be exhausting.
You may find yourself wanting to bring in help or order delivery more often.
6. HELP AROUND THE HOUSE
Cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry and
housework all take energy many cancer fighters don’t always have and are
frequently prohibited from post op. Depending on the support you have from
friends and family, you will need to budget for help around the house.
7. ODDS AND ENDS
Now you’re fighting cancer and you will
need to budget for the little things that are going to come up. A recording
device to bring to doctor appointments to you don’t have to write down every
word they say, a little cooler to carry your meals around when you go from
appointment to appointment, a new soft pair of slippers since you’re probably
going to be in them often. The list goes on and the costs will go up so the
most practical movie is to create an allowance.
8. LET PEOPLE HELP YOU
The last thing to think about when
getting started with cancer treatment is to let people help you. People will
want to support you with time, services, gifts or finance. Budget in your
emotional allowance to let others help out.
ABOUT CANCER ANSWER TUESDAYS
What can I do
about metal mouth? What is a good gift for a cancer fighter? How do they do
radiation tattoos? How can I prepare for surgery?
What should I say to someone I work with
who was just diagnosed? How am I
going to get through today?
Every Tuesday, The Why?
Foundation will present a small, but big cancer question and answer
about fighting cancer day-to-day, hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute.
If you have a question or a helpful tip for Cancer Answer Tuesdays, we want to hear about it. Please email us at info@thewhyfoundation.org
www.thewhyfoundation.org
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