nutmeg
Registered: Jan 2007
Posts: 18261 |
09-29-12 11:10 AM
Imo, more importantly than understanding the disease is understanding the mental health issues your brother will face. A cancer diagnosis is devasting to the thought process.
Be sure he has a responsible caring care taker to attend Dr visits with him. Help him understand his medications and chemo pros and cons. They have a pill for every side effect. (On the flip side, every ache and pain will be attributed to the cancer - just the way that works).
Please address the issue of anti depressant medication. Ask an oncolgy nurse how important a good attitude is to effective treatment.
Sometimes adults, when they get sick are worse than kids. Refuse to take medication, skip doses, get an attitude, etc. Anti depressant meds will help with this problems and so will the fact when you say "I'll tell the Dr" because he knows you are his care taker. Wierd how that is, but you never know how people will react.
Be ready for anything or as I like to think of cancer as sailing into a shitstorm. No clue what's next but it's seldom good at the moment.
Good luck, carry on and welcome to planet chemo, where everyone gets a turn in the infusion chair.
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