Chapter 2
Living with a Stent

Chapter 3
Living with Palliative Care

Sections

1)
Introduction
Background
Endoscopy
2)
Initial Diagnosis
3)
Telling the family
4)
First Appointment
Taking the tests
5)
Second appointment after tests
6)
Treatment -Chemotherapy and Radiation
7)
Remission
8)
Coping at Night
Coping with Fear
9)
Relationship with Doctors
Keeping Track of Medications
10)
Deciding on a Stent
Conclusion

Last Revised, 05-Nov-2002
Copyright © 2002

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Relationship with your Doctors

        In my case I have a Surgeon who specializes in cancer and works closely with KRCC. He keeps my Family Physician up to date on the status of my cancer and treatments. My Family Physician still supplies my primary health care including treating symptoms caused by the cancer. Fortunately I find that both of my Doctors are approachable and listen to my concerns. Both my wife and I have the greatest confidence in both of my physicians, their competence and approachability. We find that we are able to express our concerns knowing full well that we will be listened to and our concerns will be addressed.

        It is imperative that you have full confidence in your Doctor’s competence to deal with your problems and that you are able to communicate effectively with them. If you do not have this confidence I would seriously consider trying to find a Doctor that you do have confidence in.

Keeping Track of Medications

        Because of a heart condition and asthma I already have a considerable number of medications that I have to take at specified times. The EC has resulted in a number of drugs to be added to the ones I was already taking, each with instructions on when and how they are to be taken. Make a list of all medications you are presently taking along with the dosage and times they are taken. It is extremely important that all your doctors have a copy of this list and that you keep it up to date. It is your responsibility to ask about medications that you have been taking over a long period of time and to have them discontinued if they are no longer required. Remember that as we get older some medications have a stronger effect than when we were young and you may have to have the dosage adjusted if not discontinued altogether. Over the last few years the number of drugs I have to take has increased but I have been able to discontinue some of the older ones. The greater number of drugs you take, the greater the chance of adverse drug interactions. I have a list of the drugs along with the dosage written down that are to be taken on a daily basis. It is very easy to get the drugs confused by taking the wrong drug, dosage, or at the wrong time.

        Taking a drug the wrong number of times a day can be extremely serious. In my case, my wife is a retired RN and she sets out the drugs for me as required. I try to check that I get the right drugs, but I find I can get the drugs confused or forget if I have taken them. My drugs for each meal are laid out in a single container and the drugs in the original bottles are kept separate. It is very easy to get confused on taking drugs and it is best to have some one else check if at all possible.
 
 

Contact
livingwithec@yahoo.com

Note: This email address is only occasionally checked, and due to volume, I am unable to respond to all messages. Nevertheless, feel free to send your thoughts, experiences, or comments.