Christine, The main thing to realize is this is no time to be proud. Ask anyone and everyone who seems at all willing to help for specific help. Have a list of stuff you think you'll need help with (eg. rides to and fro for treatment, cooking meals for your kids, picking up prescription meds, making calls to long distance friends and relatives to keep them updated when your motuh hurts) and aske people what things they are wiling to do on that list.

If you are a member of a church or other religious group, talk to the minister/rabbi/whoever. Even if you are not a regular member, don't be shy to talk to someone and ask for help. If you aren't a member anywhere but you have a friend who is a churchgoer, ask if she will see if people at her church might be able to pitch in to help. Every church has some kind of care committee for people in your shoes--these are people who want to be there for people in need. You may not know them and I realize that may feel strange but remember in most faiths part of ones spiritual work is kindness to strangers in need.

If you have not done so already, call the American Cancer Society and try to find out what they offer in your area. The hosptial social worker may have other ideas about organizations that can help. Ask her.

Just in case you need more time off, you might see if your workplace would allow other workers to donate sick days to you. My workplace already had this in effect as a formal program, but I've heard of other places coming through for people this way when they are really in need.

And don't be shy to come here to vent or ask for advice. We will help however we can!

Nelie