How To Help People Help You
(or How My Everyone Got Me What I
Needed)
Today on The Burgeoning Bookshelf I would like to introduce Antoinette Truglio Martin the author of "Hug Everyone You Know" a memoir of her journey through breast cancer treatment.
Antoinette gives some sage advice on how anyone going through similar treatment can step aside and let friends and family help during this trying time. The points are also helpful if you have a friend or family member undergoing cancer treatment and are lost as to how you can help. I know I would have welcomed this advice when my sister-in-law was undergoing treatment. There is always that feeling of disconnection and not knowing how you can help make their life a little less stressful.
Guest post:
I am
the do-er of my family and friend circle. I plan, arrange, and execute most
events and activities. Not much happens if I do not have my two hands and a
schedule on it (at least that is what I believe). It is not quite micromanaging
since delegating is not my strong suit. I quickly volunteer to take on the
details and jobs no one wants. The whole shebang will come to a screeching halt
if I don’t navigate it all while taking care of home, hearth, kids, husband,
and teaching.
But
that mindset was reevaluated when I went through chemotherapy and radiation
treatments for breast cancer. I had never been sick before, so the debilitation
was new to me. It was the first time I was unable to juggle it all.
Luckily
I am blessed with a vast tribe of friends and family, My Everyone, ready to
help. Each correspondent asked me what I wanted, needed. Asking for help was
another way of delegating. Did I mention that delegating was not my strong
suit? The truth was that I wanted the floors vacuumed, groceries shopped, and
laundry folded. But those annoying tasks were just that—annoying.
My
Everyone, however, had a better idea as to what I needed. The best kind of help
came in the form of a spontaneous lunch date, an invite to join a yoga class,
and a Reiki experience. I was encouraged to get out of the house, which was
burdened with an endless list of have-to-dos. I learned to say, "Dust
bunnies be damn!”, and to keep a collection of takeout menus handy. Although
very little got done, I did have terrific days with my great people.
Events
and activities stayed on the calendar. I was given full disclosure as to what
was happening and allowed to bow out of the little details. Delegating was not
hard, after all. I still had my lists and felt oddly satisfied to cross items
off when someone reported a task completed.
The
bottom line was that the way to help me was to include me in life's events and
make those special memories. The ventures allowed me to escape my plight for a
little while. Distracting me with fun and chuckles was the best way My Everyone
was able to help me get what I needed during that year of chemotherapy.
Hug Everyone You Know is published through She Writes Press. You can read my review HERE
Please stop by the other posts on the Hug Everyone You Know Blog Tour
October 7th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us as
we celebrate the launch the blog tour for author Antoinette Truglio Martin's
book Hug Everyone You Know. Read an interview with the author and
win a copy of the book.
October 8th @ 12 Books
Visit Louise's blog today to read her thoughts about
Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
October 9th @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn's blog where you can read her review of
Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know and
enter to win a copy for yourself!
October 10th @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog where you can read Antoinette Truglio
Martin's guest post on how writing can calm your nerves.
October 13th @ Dunning Knicks Interviews
Make sure
you visit Mzz Dunning's blog today where you can read a guest post written by
Antoinette Truglio Martin about 5 reasons it's okay to not be okay. You can
also enter to win an ebook copy of the book!
October 14th @ Bookshine and Readbows
Make sure you visit Stephanie's blog and read her interview
with author Antoinette Truglio Martin. You don't want to miss it!
October 15th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
You'll want to stuff your bookshelf today when you visit
Veronica Joy's blog and read her review of Antoinette Truglio Martin's
book Hug Everyone You Know.
October 17th @ Reading Whale
Visit Caitlin's blog today where you can read Antoinette Truglio
Martin's guest post that will give you 5 tips for starting your memoir.
October 18th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Stop by Veronica's blog again where you can read Antoinette
Truglio Martin's guest post about how to help people help you. Don't miss this
important guest post!
October 19th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette's bookworm blog and read Antoinette
Truglio Martin's guest post featuring 5 tips for writing your memoir. Don't
miss it!
October 20th @ Rachael's Thoughts
Visit Rachel's thoughts today where you can read her review
of Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
October 21st @ Writing Through Life
Visit Amber's blog and read Antoinette Truglio Martin's
guest post featuring 5 journaling tips when going through difficult trials. You
can also read Amber's review of Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug
Everyone You Know.
October 22nd @ Karen Brown Tyson's Blog
Get inspired today at Karen's blog where you can read
Antoinette Truglio Martin's guest post about 5 lessons she learned writing
about her cancer journey.
October 23rd @ Thoughts in Progress
Be sure to stop by Mason Canyon's blog where you can read
an interview with the author Antoinette Truglio Martin.
October 24th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette's bookworm blog again where you can view
her video vlog review of Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone
You Know.
October 25th @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog today where you can read her review of
Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
October 26th @ Keeping it Real
Be sure to visit Lisa's blog today and read author
Antoinette Truglio Martin's guest post that is talking about her ways to not
let a difficult diagnosis run (or ruin) your life. Plus read Lisa's review of
Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
October 28th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Stop by Wendi's blog today and read her review of
Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
October 29th @ Bring On Lemons
Turn lemons into lemonade today by visiting Crystal's blog
and read her review of the touching memoir Hug Everyone You Know.
November 1st @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette's blog again and read her interview with
author Antoinette Truglio Martin.
November 3rd @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde
Visit Lindsey's blog today and you can read her review of
Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
November 4th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi's blog again where you can read Antoinette
Truglio Martin's guest post about keeping a positive mindset during a health
crisis.
November 5th @ Life Like a Galaxy Girl
Be sure to visit Alanna's blog where you can read her
review of Antoinette Truglio Martin's book Hug Everyone You Know.
November 6th @ 12 Books
Stop by Louise's blog again where you can Antoinette
Truglio Martin's guest post featuring 5 books to keep you motivated during
difficult times.
November 8th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Stop by Anthony's blog where you can read his review of
Antoinette Truglio Martin's touching book Hug Everyone You Know.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
