It must be everyone’s worse fear, getting cancer, but nowadays there are more and more people surviving cancer, and in our practice we like to think that we are good at helping our patients who are going through this traumatic time.
Once a diagnosis has been made, the hospital will take over the majority of your care for the treatment of the cancer. However, your GP will still want to be involved to help you with symptom control for any side effects you might have from the treatment, or for pain control if required, and just to make sure you are doing ok whilst going through your treatment.
Sometimes the hospital will ask that the person undergoing treatment attends Sister Everett for blood tests prior to receiving chemotherapy, so that the doctors in hospital know that they are well enough to have the chemo.
Some people will come to Sister Everett for injections every 3 months to help slow the growth of the cancer (Prostate) and this treatment can go on for many years.
Some people will decide they don’t want to go through treatment and our Practice team will be able to provide all the care that is required, to make sure things go as smoothly as possible, for as long as possible.
District Nurses are highly experienced in dealing with people who are going through the journey of having cancer, and are there to make the people they look after, as comfortable as possible.
The input of care is gradually increased as it becomes more required, and our team have years of experience with helping people decide what they want to do, and if they wish to stay at home, that can all be arranged without any problem.
The GP’s believe that Palliative care (care of those who are dying) is very important. The person’s own GP will take a special interest in their care and will try to make sure that all that can be done, will be done, to make sure this difficult time is managed as well as it can be.
Check out these websites for help and advice:
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Also, you may find this short video useful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTFPMYGe86s
MacMillan @ Glasgow Libraries – 0141 287 2903. Whatever cancer throws your way, we are here to provide emotional, physical and financial support to you.
You will find MacMillan @ Glasgow Libraries across the city so that you can access support and information in your community. We also have a dedicated space where you can find free, expert and easy to understand information about cancer. We offer a wide-ranging support service for people with cancer, their loved ones, carers and people who are bereaved.
Our drop ins are on hold for the time being, but we have a message facility on the updated number which we are checking twice a day to get back to people and offer support or information. People can also contact us via [email protected]
Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/MacmillanatGlasgowLibraries )
and Twitter ( http://twitter.com/MacmillanGL )
Planning for the way ahead
Sometimes there is no cure and so realistically we have to think about what’s going to happen next. There is a very good website if this is the case, which puts a plan in place for protecting and making clear the wishes of the person who is dying, and being in control of their own care.
also
https://www.goodlifedeathgrief.org.uk/
https://compassionindying.org.uk/
My Thinking Ahead and Making Plans
Helping you to take control and make your wishes heard
What is a Thinking Ahead Plan?
To be able to give the best care to people with a serious illness we need to talk about what is important to each person and their family, now and in the future.
This ‘Thinking Ahead Plan’ can help you to think about what things are important to you so you can talk about them with your family and the people who are looking after you. It is a plan that some people like to use to write down important information about their plans and wishes for the future. It helps other people know what your wishes are.
What goes in the plan?
You can use the plan in any way you like. You can put in information about the kind of care and treatment you want to have and where you would like to be cared for in the future as well as the things in your life that are important to you.
What doesn’t need to go in the plan?
The plan is not a medical or legal document so you don’t need to put medical or legal information in it unless you want to.
Why should I have one?
Some people use the plan to help them talk about things with their family or professionals like their doctor or nurse. You can use it to help you decide things about your care.
You do not have to have one.
When should I start one?
Many people like to start thinking about issues to do with their care a long time in advance while they are feeling well. Other people want to wait till later.
When should I add to it?
You should add to your plan whenever you want to and certainly think about adding to it whenever you see anyone involved with your care.
Filling in your plan
How do I fill it in?
We have put boxes in to give you a few ideas about what you might want to think about. Some people use all the boxes, some just use one or two. You might even want to add a box or page of your own. You can fill in your plan bit by bit and change it whenever you want.
Who can help me fill it in?
Anyone you want! You can fill it in by yourself, with help from family or friends or with help from your nurses or doctors. If someone does help you, you might want to write their name in at the end.
Tell your GP to note on your record that you have a thinking ahead plan (an anticipatory care plan).
Filling in the boxes
If you want to use the boxes here are some suggestions…..
“Important things right now”
We would suggest that whenever you fill in any bit of your ‘Thinking Ahead Plan’ that you think first about what is important to you just now. This should help to make sure that all those involved in your care are aware of what your priorities are at all times.
“Planning ahead”
You might want to write about things you are looking forward to, important events coming up or things you want to do.
“Looking after me well”
For instance where you would like to be cared for and what kind of treatment and care you would want to have or not have. This kind of information can help the professionals looking after you try and make sure it happens.
“My concerns”
You can write about any worries you might have for example about yourself and your health, your family or a pet.
“Other things”
Anything you feel is important but doesn’t fit anywhere else!
“Things I want to know more about”
You can use this section to keep track of any questions you want to ask and answers that you have got.
Where should I keep my plan?
You should keep your plan with you so that anyone involved with your care can see what is important to you.
Any more questions?
This plan is designed to help you talk to your doctor or nurse about the things that are important to you. Ask them for help to fill it in where you need it.
Important things to me just now
For example, the things that really matter to me, what I like and what I value
Planning ahead
For example important events coming up, things I want to do in the future, things that I want to carry on doing
Looking after me well
For example where I would like to be cared for and any treatments I would or wouldn’t want.
My concerns
For example things that worry me now and any worries about what might happen in the future.
Other important things
Things I want to know more about
Some people like to know about other things that can be important to someone with a serious illness and their family.
Some of these might be:
- Benefits advice
- Asking a person you can trust to speak for you and help make decisions about your health if in the future you are not able to do it yourself (a Welfare Power of Attorney).
- A living will or an advance statement (this can be about both what you would like and what you really wouldn’t want)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Things I want to ask about are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Keeping track – each time you write in this Plan, you might like to write down in this section the date and the name of anyone who helped you.
Name Date
