On 8/19/2007
LynnieCheb wrote:
My 40-yr. old sister was just diagnosed with Stage II ovarian cancer a week ago. She is a dirt-poor single mom doing her best (and doing a heckuva job) raising two teenagers without financial or emotional support from her Rat Of An Ex-Husband. So it will be up to my other sister and I to try and support her through her journey, and I really don't know what to do. She had emergency surgery (which was when the cancer was found) and the incision became infected, so she won't start chemo until after things clear there (probably a couple of weeks), so I'd like to use the time to gather as much information as I possibly can so I can be there for her.
She's identified three of us that she wants to be her primary supports. A friend will be taking her to treatments - afterwards she would like one of we "Aunties" to stay with she and the kids for a day or two or three. I can certainly hang with the kids and take care of her household as best I can, but I'm not a nurse. And I don't know what she will be needing physically and psychologically.
There is a strong incidence of cancer in my family - lung, uterine, brain, colon - so I know some of what to expect, but this is the first time I'll be one of the primary caregivers. I am so very scared and overwhelmed that I don't even know where to begin.
Can some of the Wise People on this forum help me out?
Thanks much
LynnieCheb
Taking care of the household and the kids is a major help and letting your sister rest.
make sure she comes home with antinausea medicine and takes her anti-nausea medicine around the clock for several days . I got my chemo intraperitoneal so the nausea ( not vomiting) was constant for several days . Ativan was wonderful for me for nausea. There are so many good antinausea medicine available given before the chemo and at home . Taking sips of gatorade or ginger ale with crushed ice helped me . I had to have it in a glass and real cold. Keep fluids on board and taking sips was the best way for me to accomplish this instead of drinking a lot at a time.
i lived off wendys chocolate frosty's.
I kept a little cosmetic bag by my bedside that had all my meds in it and my doctors phone number with pen and paper. I kept the phone next to me so i could easliy answer it if it rang. I was usually by myself during the day because the kids were in school and my husband was working.
I let people who offered to help me, bring in meals for my family.
She will get though it and having sisters is wonderful support
D.