I'm sure your loved ones don't see you as a burden, TMS. People want to return the love that has been received.


My daughter is just starting her cancer journey, as you know, and she literally asked my advice yesterday, as I was sitting with her while she was waiting to undergo another biopsy, "If you needed help, how would you ask for it? And why do people give help?" She doesn't want to be a burden either. The idea of someone wanting to help her was mystifying. We are so attuned to being independent that it is difficult to ask for and receive help, even though it gives as much to the giver as to the recipient. When she asked her brother for help this past weekend, he literally dropped everything he was doing and dashed to her aid because all he wanted to do was to help her. As her mother, everything I can do to help her--watching the baby, taking her to chemo--makes me happy because I love her. In your case, look at all the burdens you've lifted from family, friends and coworkers for a very long time.

I hope you get those approvals and get on a treatment that's best for you.