Content Overview 
- Summary
- You can travel safely during treatment if your doctor permits travel.
- Don't let emotions bottle up inside.
- How To Live With Chemotherapy
- Cancer Surgery 101
- Radiation 101
- Bone Marrow Transplants
- Other Cancer Treatments
- Keep track of your symptoms. If symptoms are more severe than expected, or if unexpected symptoms appear, call your doctor.
- Consider the practical aspects of being in treatment.
- Reduce your risk of infection while in treatment
- Consider adding non-Western treatments ("complementary" or "alternative" treatments) such as massage therapy to your treatment schedule.
- Emotions may run rampant during treatment. Use time tested techniques to help. Take one day at a time. It's not unusual to see life with a different sense of perspective.
- Share your emotions. Watch for depression. Consider seeking counseling. You may also want to consider getting a pet if you don't have one (yes, a pet).
- Think of family and friends as part of your support team. Ask for help when you need it. Your needs are first, but also consider theirs.
- Work issues: If you are an employee, ask for the accommodations which make it possible to juggle treatment and work. If you need time off, negotiate for it. People who are business owners or are self employed should avoid making important decisions if pos
- Start looking at your insurance and financial situation to determine how you will pay for medical care. Even with health insurance, medical care can be costly. Free or low cost care is available if you are Uninsured or Underinsured
- Do finance basics. Pay your rent or mortgage and mniimums on your credit card. Start keeping track of all medical services you receive and expenses you pay. Don't pay a medical bill just because you receive one.
- Financial assistance is available.
- Drugs and treatments do not work in a vacuum. Think of the food you eat, the exercise you get, rest/sleep and even proper care of your mouth as steps you can take to make treatments and drugs most effective.
- Modify your (hopefully)healthy diet to make up for nutrients your treatment uses up. Get dietary counseling.
- Speak with other people who are going through what you are.
- If you have a spouse or significant other, you will both face challenges from the treatment and side effects. There is no right or wrong way to handle the situation. Cooperative problem solving and mutual support is key.
- If you have underage children, tell them about what is going on in an age appropriate manner. Monitor their behavior. Arrange for their care in case something happens to you.
- Schedule a dental check up.
- When treatment ends, celebrate. Read Survivorship A to Z Post Treatment.
In Treatment For Cancer
Consider the practical aspects of being in treatment.
Next » « Previous10/26
Thinking through the practical aspects of your treatment will help prevent trying to catch up on things you could have taken care of when you were feeling better. For instance:
- If you are going to have chemotherapy or radiation:
- Think about how you are going to get to and from appointments. If needed, American Cancer Society can help arrange transportation. Call 800.ACS.2345
- What changes should you start making in your diet to build your body with nutrients that the treatment may diminish?
- Think about who will take care of your children while you are in treatment and during any recovery period(s).
- What changes will be needed at work to accommodate the treatment schedule?
- What arrangements need to be made at home? Many situations that used to require hospitalization can now be arranged at home thanks to visiting nurses, doctors who make house calls and home health aides. There are pros and cons for hiring health aides on your own or through an agency. In any event, learn tips such as putting all valuables, credit cards, checks and cash away before aides arrive.
- How will bills be paid if you aren't feeling well enough to attend to them? This is not the time for your health insurance to be cancelled for lack of payment, or for your mortgage to go into default or to be behind in your rent if you can avoid it. (Family members or friends can pay bills for you. If none are available, you can hire a professional.)
- If you are going to have surgery, learn how to choose a hospital, how to maximize your time in the hospital and how to avoid infection. Also find out what you should and should not be doing prior to surgery.
To Learn More
More Information
Transportation Children: Care Of If You Are Unable To Hospitals 101 How To Save Money In A Hospital What To Do Before Entering A Hospital How To Choose A Hospital Medicare: Keeping Track Of Your Medicare Bills: A Simple Method How To Prioritize Your Debts How To Maximize Use Of Home Health Aides Nutrition How To Prepare For SurgeryRelated Articles
How To Obtain Surgery Without Health Insurance
Please share how this information is useful to you.
0 Comments
Post a Comment Have something to add to this topic? Contact Us.
Get Your Personal Guide