Dana was Bill’s advocate--his best friend and wife during his fight with cancer. Bill discusses the importance of a partner during the cancer treatment process particularly as information is flying at you and you need someone to help manage it and process it to make the best decisions. He also shares resources available so that you do not have to face this battle alone.
Resources for Patients:
www.wearedeadmentalking.com/resources
https://www.lls.org/patient-support?ds_rl=1278572&ds_rl=1278572&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ouKBhC5ARIsAHXNMI_8247-3Y2MRLQBTh4gkP98lljLmien7Peq37bj2Kxn4GVjTH5mZp8aAi-YEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Support groups:
https://www.yourcancerstory.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ouKBhC5ARIsAHXNMI-QrlURl6QM1iPW7C7VP-D4OrpgV4gro4zEUs-abUd-KHedF1adhqkaAl9ZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Questions to Ask:
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/choosing-your-treatment-team/questions-to-ask-your-doctor.html
Some responsibilities of the caregiver and questions to ask:
· #1 piece of advice. Journal. Journal. Journal. From DAY ONE! I didn’t start detailed with a notebook until transplant and I wish I would have started from the beginning. Yes, there is “My Chart” and other things doctors use, but that’s full of test results and medication names. It doesn’t include information from your perspective – how the patient is doing…how they felt on certain meds….how high was their fever on certain days, etc. Every time we went to an appointment, the journal went with me. Everything was dated and every conversation with every nurse and doctor documented. Believe it or not, all the dates, names, diagnosis, etc all start to run together. It’s overwhelming!!! WRITE IT DOWN!
· Helping with oral medications – a pill case with the days of the week and planning ahead is how I kept up with this.
· Recording/documenting the medications that are being taken (and how are they feeling on the medications).
· Monitoring/documenting intravenous fluids
· Keeping a journal of patients changes in condition daily
· Reporting symptoms to the health care team
· Food preparation (this could change by the hour if you’re dealing with a patient on chemo!)
· Maintain a clean home environment
· Providing transportation to and from the hospital and doctors appointments
Hospital stay recommendations:
· Journal - Taking Notes – start as soon as possible – DAY 1. Everything starts to run together.
· Noise cancellation headphones - if you’re going in the hospital, so hard to sleep with all the noise at night in the hospital and sleep is KEY to recovering!
· Weighted blanket – hospitals can be cold, with few to limited blankets. Weighted blankets can help with anxiety, ease stress, calms the nervous system.
· Thick, warm socks! – hospitals can be cold, with blood flow being limited and feet getting cold
· Comforts from home – favorite cup/coffee mug, special blanket, healthy snacks with easy access. If there’s no fridge, small cooler with drink options that are some fav’s from home. Depends on the hospital..some have good/great food and drink options, and others don’t.
· Diffuser – essential oils with diffusers are key to optimal relaxation and sleep when in the hospital. (oils we like to diffuse…frankincense , lavender, we use the Young Living Brand of essential oils)
· Lotion – skin gets dry in&