u/AlternativeDisk1194

Hi everyone,

My mom (52) was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 lung cancer (adenocarcinoma non-small cell) and and just started treatment. I’m quickly realizing that the sheer volume of appointments is going to be incredibly difficult to organize and manage efficiently. Located in Rockford, Illinois.

I am 29, work a full-time job, fund my life independently, and am essentially the only immediate family member around to assist her.

To make matters tougher, my mom lives alone and was in poor health even before this diagnosis. Her background includes:

• Heavy smoker, multiple collapsed lung episodes
• Chronic lung-related infections and very low weight.
• A history of narcotics abuse.
• Severe mental health struggles (borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety, and depression—her nervous system is completely shot).

She is already deteriorating and highly anxious before the chemo has even fully hit her. I am incredibly worried that she will very soon be unable to get herself back and forth to appointments or manage basic daily tasks at home (cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping).

Because I work full-time, I cannot be there 24/7. I am seeking out free, low-cost, or highly accessible resources, tools, and caregiving assistance that I can contact or request on her behalf.

Specifically, I would love advice on:

1. Transportation: Are there reliable, free, or subsidized programs that handle rides to oncology appointments? In previous times, I went through her health insurance for Free Medical rides but the service was awful and unreliable, she got to many appts late.
2. In-Home Support & Meals: Programs that offer light housekeeping, wellness checks, or meal deliveries for cancer patients?
3. Organization Tools: What are the best apps, spreadsheets, or methods you used to keep a massive calendar of appointments and symptoms organized between a patient and a caregiver?
4. Navigating Complex History: Any advice on navigating her oncology care given her history of substance abuse and severe mental health struggles?

I want to support her as best as I can without completely drowning myself. Any advice, organization tips, or specific organizations to reach out to would mean the world to me. Thank you all so much.

Hi everyone,

My mom (55) was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 lung cancer (adenocarcinoma non-small cell) and and just started treatment. I’m quickly realizing that the sheer volume of appointments is going to be incredibly difficult to organize and manage efficiently.

I am 29, work a full-time job, fund my life independently, and am essentially the only immediate family member around to assist her.

To make matters tougher, my mom lives alone and was in poor health even before this diagnosis. Her background includes:

• Heavy smoker, multiple collapsed lung episodes
• Chronic lung-related infections and very low weight.
• A history of narcotics abuse.
• Severe mental health struggles (borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety, and depression—her nervous system is completely shot).

She is already deteriorating and highly anxious before the chemo has even fully hit her. I am incredibly worried that she will very soon be unable to get herself back and forth to appointments or manage basic daily tasks at home (cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping).

Because I work full-time, I cannot be there 24/7. I am seeking out free, low-cost, or highly accessible resources, tools, and caregiving assistance that I can contact or request on her behalf.

Specifically, I would love advice on:

1. Transportation: Are there reliable, free, or subsidized programs that handle rides to oncology appointments? In previous times, I went through her health insurance for Free Medical rides but the service was awful and unreliable, she got to many appts late.
2. In-Home Support & Meals: Programs that offer light housekeeping, wellness checks, or meal deliveries for cancer patients?
3. Organization Tools: What are the best apps, spreadsheets, or methods you used to keep a massive calendar of appointments and symptoms organized between a patient and a caregiver?
4. Navigating Complex History: Any advice on navigating her oncology care given her history of substance abuse and severe mental health struggles?

I want to support her as best as I can without completely drowning myself. Any advice, organization tips, or specific organizations to reach out to would mean the world to me. Thank you all so much.