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Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
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Managing Your Medical Care: Breast Cancer: Once A Treatment Decision Is Made

Think Through Your Personal Needs

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Medically

If you are going to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation:

  • It will help ease the anxiety if you ask a close friend or relative to accompany you to at least the first few treatments.
  • Family members and friends can also do research for you when necessary. Just be sure they only research reliable sources. Survivorship A to Z documents in "To Learn More" explain how to do that - and to avoid phony information.

If you are going to undergo surgery:

  • It helps ease anxiety if you ask a close friend or relative to accompany you to the facility where the surgery will take place.
  • Family members and friends can also do research for you when necessary. Just be sure they only research reliable sources. Survivorship A to Z documents in "To Learn More" explain how to do that - and to avoid phony information.

Learn how to communicate most effectively with doctors (and when to fire them if necessary).

Ask one of your doctors who the other medical professionals are that you are likely to run into and what each one does. The knowledge will give you a better understanding of how each person can be beneficial to you and who to ask which questions. (If in doubt about who to ask a particular question, ask everyone who would seemingly know the answer until you get your question answered).

Emotionally

Nutrition

If you will undergo chemotherapy or radiation, it may be difficult to eat or to feel well enough to prepare foods.

  • Start identifying nutritious snacks that you like. Buy a supply.
  • Store foods that you are likely to eat.
  • Cook and freeze meals ahead of time.
  • Ask family or friends to cook for you.

Sleep

If you have difficulty sleeping, there are methods to consider that help. Your doctor can also prescribe medication aides.

Get organized

Start figuring out how to minimize the impact of treatment and your health condition on your daily life. For instance:

  • Start keeping a notebook or file for your medical records. One of the advantages to keeping your own record, and an up-to-date summary, is that you can save time each time you see a new doctor.
  • Get your important papers organized - especially health insurance information. This way you won't have to waste time looking for things when you may not be feeling well. For information about an easy organizing system, click here.

Your personal and other needs


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