Journaling Sickness

The first few months after the initial cancer news usually feels like a whirlwind.

Ok, more like a twister.

If you are the main caretaker, hear me out: PLEASE TAKE NOTES. Like, write the important stuff.

I have fumbled through Andrew's paperworks, lost visa applications, hunt lost cheques, and do a thousand "quick" email search in my inbox.

One year later (yeah I know, I am horrible at this. Admin sucks!) I finally come up with a list of stuff that you have to ALWAYS know in a heartbeat. Well, it's useful because doctors usually have hundreds of patients while you only have, well, one :p so most of the time they will ask you questions and you feel like yelling "but you are the doctor! you suppose to know this stuff!". Anyway, here are some information that you need to jot down:

1. The date of initial diagnosis and the symptoms (I have been asked this at least 15 times. Nope, not joking) 

2. Allergies. This includes "new" allergies that are found during the treatment. Example, we found out that one IV anti-virus actually gave Andrew TV-commercials-related hallucinations. I know.

3. The drugs that works. Some drugs works better than the others, but sometimes they are "interchangeable". Ask, persistently and kindly, for the one that works. Bribing is a great tool. Just saying.

4. Honestly, just have ALL drugs list. From their chemo up to pain meds.

5. The dates of chemotherapy, transplant, and any other important procedures.

6. Every single time (and place) that they insert tubes or needles in, such as PICC or Hickman's.

7. Food that are NOT allowed. We once argued if Andrew can't eat grape OR grapefruit. Apparently he can eat....neither. Oopsie.

8. Food that works. Docs and nurses will throw random infos such as 'watermelon and saltines works for nausea!' or 'apple juice help soothe your tummy!'. Take note my young Padawan.

9. Always know your timeline! Treatment dates change but you need to know the big outline of what your doctor is planning to do. This will help you prepare and when some random (hot) intern walk in and said that he needs to do some test, you know exactly what he is up to.

On top of that, try to have a list, or better, a bag of "emergency room midnight run" complete package - collectors edition. The worse thing you can do is get to the hospital and found out that you left your iPhone charger.... ehm... I mean important medical stuff. Yeah.

Auds xx