Discussing Breast Cancer

I’ve been thinking about the woman I know that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her double mastectomy was this week and she’s schedule to start chemo within the next two weeks. A close friend and neighbor is coordinating her care — the meals being delivered, the rides for her kids, company for chemo trips, that kind of thing — and it brings me back to my own trials.

I’m a planner, and though I’m not as organized as I was before having three children to account for, I’m pretty much on top of things at home. I kept a master calendar when I was laid up so that I could easily see who was bringing us a meal, who was chauffeuring my kids around, who was bringing me to/from the doctor. I had my laptop with me wherever I was (couch vs. bed) and referred to it constantly.

If I’d have known about these sites! Actually, if my husband had known. Here’s an easy way for your primary caregiver to organize the information that needs to be disseminated and needs to be coordinated. Since November is National Family Caregiver’s Month, I’m happy to provide this information to all of you caregivers out there.

Speaking of caregivers … my last Inspire! Internet talk radio show covered just that — with a focus on getting through the holidays. Check that out when you have a minute.

OKAY, back to the sites I want to share with you. First, there’s CarePages — once you set up an account, you can send updates to everyone at once and limit the number of phone calls you need to make; that’s a serious stress saver. People can also easily offer you words of support — what a nice feature, to be able to read the inspirational messages that people so want to send your way. There’s a lot more to do on that site, so check it out.

Then, there’s CareCalendar — with this site it is easy to not only send updates but list needs and others can see what unmet need you have and sign up to help right online. CarePages might allow that as well, but I’m not sure … so this is the place I’d start if that’s of interest.

Oh, and by the way … if you ARE helping someone this winter by bringing a meal over, forget the overdone casseroles and pasta dishes. Make a hearty bowl of soup (try this recipe!) and bring some crusty bread over along with a fresh green salad. And don’t forget dessert!