Caregiver's Handbook

You'll receive more information and paperwork on this journey than you can possibly keep track of. Take control by making yourself a handbook: a loose-leaf notebook to hold everything and to write in.

Have the following tabs in your notebook:
• Names and phone numbers of the patient, caregiver, oncologist, all medical personnel, family, friends, and religious leader (pastor, priest or rabbi). You may lose your cell phone or use up its battery, so don’t depend on it.
• Notes taken at all appointments. Also write what happens with the patient at home, including changes in temperature, nausea, pain, or anything that requires help. Write what you did and how the patient was 30 minutes and 60 minutes later.
• Questions to ask the doctor. Write them down whenever you think of them. Ask at the next appointment and write the answers.
• A list of prescriptions and other meds the patient is taking, as well as the dosage amount and when. A triage nurse in the ER can just input this info from your list, saving you time at checkin.
• Medical info from the doctor: any pamphlets or papers you get.
• Results from tests. Put the most recent in front, so they'll be easier to find.
• Encouragement: cards and e-mails. These will come in handy if you end up admitted to the hospital unexpectedly. You will then have some words of encouragement to get you through.
• Insurance :Keep every bill or correspondence you get from your health care organization or Medicare.
• Planning for the future: Make a list of things you’d like to do when the cancer goes into remission, like a restaurant, ice skating, or Disney World. When you can, make one of these wishes come true.

For more info, go to www.SteppingThroughCancer.com and download the first chapter. It lists more sections and provides valuable information to help you. If you'd prefer, at this website you can order a notebook already created and ready to use.

Learn all you can. Knowledge is power, and you need all the power you can muster!
Love to you on your journey-
Debbie

Stepping Through Cancer, A Guide for the Journey

We are only three months from the release of my book, "Stepping Through Cancer, A Guide for the Journey." This book takes my knowledge and experience from caring for my husband when he had cancer, and combines it with information on the many steps caregivers face on their cancer journey.

In addition, we'll be publishing a Caregiver's Handbook for you to take notes at all appointments and file all the paperwork you'll receive. This was invaluable to us during Bryan's illness.

I'll be blogging here about various things you'll encounter. Feel free to comment and add your thoughts and memories.

This is a journey best traveled with a friend. That's what I want to be--a friend to travel with you. You're not alone. I'm here.