There were a few things that I learned only at the end of my recovery that I sure wish I’d known at the beginning of treatment. Please join me in adding any tips you might have learned along the way.
~Take someone with you on all trips to the doctor. I am stubborn and fiercely independent and I didn’t do this. I sure wish I had. For one things it’s another set of ears, maybe one without the roar of “cancer, cancer” in the background. It’s also nice to have a driver; for when you’re scared, dazed and confused or frankly just buzzed on pain killers.
~Take notes, lot’s of notes. I used little notepads that were easy to carry and then the notes went into a folder at home. It’s important to write any questions you have for your docs too so the little notepads come in handy.
~For many people pain pills cause nausea. With me it’s Tramadol and Vicodan, so I’ve learned to ask for Phenergan (an anti-nausea drug) to go with them. If you’re not sure ask for some just in case.
~Try to get any meds before your surgery. It sucks to have to stop on the way home, even if someone else is driving.
~I had surgery for breast cancer. Two surgeries, 10 days apart. Lymph nodes were removed from under my arm and my arm was killing me. After the 2nd surgery I went out and got a pillow like this one below. It was great for tucking under my arm, in fact I still use it when my arm gets sore.
~I started off driving with a light fleece blanket folded under my seat belt. On a good day, my seat belt is a PITA. Then it was hitting my surgical wound, which was tender for quite a long time. At Gilda’s Club I found these little pillow things that Velcro onto a seatbelt. Some group of women make them and send them all over the country. For free!
They are also great protection for port holes.
~I knew I would need a lot of sleep and rest so I bought a big balloon that said “It’s a boy!” and without inflating it taped it onto the gate to my house. I also put up a sign that said “Please no visits without calling first”. I thought that was a kinder gentler way of saying “Don’t bug me!”
~Get to know the receptionists at your doctors office. They are the keepers of the gate and also a great resource for services.
I don’t blame them, but none of my doctors knew any of these things, I had to learn them by myself, kind of the hard way. What did you learn that you can share?
Monday Night Cancer Club is a Daily Kos group focused on dealing with cancer, primarily for cancer survivors and caregivers, though clinicians, researchers, and others with a special interest are also welcome. Volunteer diarists post Monday evenings between 7:30-8:30 PM ET on topics related to living with cancer, which is very broadly defined to include physical, spiritual, emotional and cognitive aspects. Mindful of the controversies endemic to cancer prevention and treatment, we ask that both diarists and commenters keep an open mind regarding strategies for surviving cancer, whether based in traditional, Eastern, Western, allopathic or other medical practices. This is a club no one wants to join, in truth, and compassion will help us make it through the challenge together.