Colorectal Cancer: Newly Diagnosed: Day to Day Living (Stages 2, 3, 4)

• Your daily life will be affected because of your treatment. You may feel sick or tired. 
  • Talk with your doctor or the doctor's nurse about what to anticipate.
  • It may also be helpful to speak with someone who has gone through the treatment you have agreed to. The Colon Cancer Alliance helpline (877.422.4030), your doctor, his or her staff, or a social worker at a treatment center can help you make contact.
• Ask your doctor, your doctor's staff, or treatment center about help with transportation to and from treatment. American Cancer Society has volunteers to help. Call 800. ACS.2345.
• Learn how to maximize your limited time with a doctor. (See the document in “To Learn More.”)
• Start lining up family and friends to take over the household chores and other functions you may not be able to do. 
  • If it turns out you can do them, you can thank people for their consideration.
  • Free house cleaning may be available during treatment through a non-profit known as Cleaning For A Reason. If you may need a cleaning service, start the process now. It takes about 2 weeks to process an application, and only a limited number of applications are accepted per day. See:www.cleaningforareason.org
• Stock up on easy to cook and easy to eat food.
• Think about who will take care of your children while you are in treatment and during any recovery period(s). 
• Be sure there is someone to pay bills in case you don't feel well enough to attend to them. This is not the time for your health insurance to be cancelled for lack of payment, or for your mortgage to go into default or to be behind in your rent if you can avoid it. (If no family members or friends are available, you can hire a professional). For more information about finances, see: Finances.

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