by Annettra Farrington | Aug 15, 2019 | Educational Articles
None of us have as much time as we’d like when we see the oncologist, primary care physician, or any member of our healthcare team. Maximize those precious few minutes and make the most of your visits with these hacks:
Before you go:
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- Prepare for the appointment at least a few days in advance. Complete any online research you want to do (Our Resource Center has reliable cancer websites).
- Use My Appointment Summary Log (found in My Companion Guidebook)
to organize what you need to bring and discuss, where and when you are going.- Write down your questions (use the small journal or sheets provided).
- Leave room to write down the answers you are given.
- Prioritize your top 3 questions to ask the doctor. (Other members of the healthcare team can answer or obtain answers for the other questions for you).
” I still use the bag…it is a Godsend, I am always using it. It has taught me to always take notes, whenever I have a question for ANY doctor I write the question and answer down. I use it as a reference for dates and other information regarding any of my medical history.”
At the visit:
- Bring someone with you. Let them know how they can help you: extra set of ears, take notes, give info you may have forgotten.
- Good communication with your healthcare team is key! Click here for tips
- Consider recording the visit (ask permission first) to replay it at a later time.
- Bring your Bag It My Companion Guidebook or appropriate pieces within to refer to questions, forms and logs you prepared. Write down the answers and other info given to you so you don’t have to try to remember it.
- Ask for copies of your reports, labs, information from the visit. Add them to your notebook.
Click below for questions to ask your healthcare team from Paths to Survivorship booklet.
by Annettra Farrington | May 28, 2019 | Educational Articles
Is there a doctor (Google) in the house?
Most of us immediately want to search online when facing a cancer diagnosis. The internet can be a good source of reliable and helpful information. At the same time, unfortunately, fake medical news and misinformation spreads further than the truth – and can lead to serious consequences.
Best Practices for Internet Research:
- First ask your health care team for trusted websites they recommend for you.
- Visit Bag It’s resource center to find over 150 resources on all cancer topics.
- Websites from these organizations are generally reliable:
- Government agencies (web address ends .gov)
- Major cancer centers (web address often ends .org)
- Medical schools and universities (web address ends .edu)
- Large nonprofit organizations (web address ends .org)
- Look for easy-to-read information written by medical professionals.
- Check more than one source for the same information to verify that the results are the same.
Things to consider when evaluating a website:
- Be critical – is the content objective and free of opinion?
- Who sponsors the site and its content? Who wrote the content and what are their credentials? Who approved it? Reading the “About Us” and “Who We Are” pages can be insightful.
- What is the source of the information presented? Particularly if scientific in nature, was the content written within the last three years and is it supported by the scientific literature?
- Be aware that information on sponsored websites or .com websites may be biased or have a conflict of interest, though the information could still be reliable (such as a drug company’s site)
- Think carefully before sharing personal/health information in online communities. Does the community safeguard your privacy? Refer to the privacy policy, if any.
Remember that the internet is not a substitute for professional medical care and advice. Discuss any information you find with your health care team to help you determine if it is right for you.
by Annettra Farrington | Apr 16, 2019 | Educational Articles
What is Self-Advocacy and why is it important?
Self-advocacy is taking a proactive approach to being part of your healthcare team to ensure your needs are met and you are more in control to live your best life possible with cancer. It includes learning how to educate yourself with reliable information, knowing your rights, listening, and asking the right questions to make sound decisions. Being able to clearly communicate with others and feeling comfortable in making yourself heard are important. Reaching out to others when you need help is another form of self-advocacy and self-respect.
Bag It’s NEW publication Paths to Survivorship and other contents in your bag guide you on how to advocate for yourself from the moment of diagnosis and beyond.
How to Advocate for Yourself:
- Use your Bag It My Companion Guidebook to organize and track your own information. It’s a handy reference and a good back up if something gets lost. Request copies of your records, labs and test results at every appointment. Store them in the 3-ring guidebook with the most recent on top.
- Write down your questions before your appointment and then write down the answers.
- Bring someone with you to every appointment. A second pair of ears is helpful. They can take notes or record what’s said (ask permission first).
- Visit only reliable websites for cancer information. See Bag It’s resource page for more than 150 websites.
Resource topics include:
- Types of Cancer
- Clinical Trials
- Side-Effects
- Survivorship
- Caregivers and Family Resources
- Parenting and Fertility
- Supportive Care—Emotional Support, Palliative Care, Complementary & Integrative Therapies
- Insurance, Managing Costs, and Financial Assistance
- Legal Rights, Workplace, Advance Care Planning
- Resources in Spanish
If you were recently diagnosed:
- Assemble and work closely with all the members of your healthcare team.
- Learn about your cancer diagnosis and treatment options with potential side effects to help you make informed decisions about your treatment and care. Consider getting a second opinion.
- Use the My Appointments Summary Log found in My Companion Guidebook to write down your questions in advance of appointments. Make sure you fully understand the answers provided and take notes.
- Bring someone with you to every appointment, especially at the beginning.
- Express fully and honestly what you need and want—to your healthcare team, caregivers, family members, and friends.
- Watch our short “How to use the Bag It bag” video.
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