Advice from Bob: A patient's top tips

Editor’s Note: The following article was developed by a Providence Regional Cancer System patient, Robert R. Largen and his wife/editor Rosemary Shold. Bob received a diagnosis of “stage four, non-smoking, Agent Orange induced, lung cancer on October 31, 2001.” Below are some of his top tips for how he personally manages his cancer. The views reflected below are his own. If you’d like add your own tips, please leave a note in the comments.

1. Have someone accompany you to any doctor’s appointments or consultations. This person will help you absorb all the information that comes at you. Take notes.
2. Repeat back to the nurse or doctor any instructions that are given to you. Follow the instructions as closely as you can.
3. If possible, have a health professional other than the treating doctors and nurses guide you through the process. (Editor’s Note: Bob has a daughter Catherine, who is also an RN. There are many resources like this in our community, please don’t be afraid to ask if you’d like to be directed to one).
4. Keep a daily log of your health. It is a helpful resource when the nurse and doctors ask, “How is the patient doing?” And, “When did the symptoms start?” We found that the combination of happiness for making it through the day and fearfulness for what tomorrow may bring made for very poor long term memory.
5. Do something each day to better the future for the family, e.g., estate planning, distribute possessions, contact your pastor, open or close bank accounts, etc.
6. Make each day count. Achieving what is essentially a positive attitude is difficult as it is easy to be drawn down in the morass of the situation. This activity requires extreme mental discipline.
7. Take advantage of any counseling offered by the hospital or clinic.
8. Develop a network of support. We sent out 45-50 letters informing people of my diagnosis. As a result, each day’s mail brought something for me to look forward to. (Editor’s Note: This is an excellent example of where an electronic network like Caring Bridge would be helpful, Providence is currently in the process of linking up with this resource.)
9. Try to keep as near normal routine as possible in a situation in which everything has changed. We celebrated my 75^th birthday with a card party. I received over 100 cards in the mail. Once again, each day’s mail brought something to look forward to.

Have your own tips? Leave us a note in the comments!

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