Welcome!
Are you or someone you know newly diagnosed with cancer or already in the treatment process? Would you and your caregivers like to get the best treatment and outcome, plus receive education and support during the care process that will enable you to actively collaborate with your healthcare providers during treatment?
As a cancer advocate, I can help empower and educate you and your caregivers to understand the disease process, participate in making valuable treatment decisions, and offer suggestions on how to get information regarding what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Take advantage of the education opportunities and information in the knowledge library (located at the bottom of this page) and feel free to blog or email your questions. This is also the perfect opportunity to share and network your own knowledge with others whom may be going through cancer treatment. I have posted a copy of my resume under the "ABOUT" tab-feel free to view.
"Because cancer is a disease that you should not have to face alone."
-Pamela McGhee, MSN/RN Oncology Nurse Educator
Disclaimer: I am an experienced Cancer Case Manager and have a Master's degree in Nursing Educator; this site is only to be utilized to share info. ALWAYS follow the guidance of your Healthcare Provider first! The suggestions and info on this website may be used as discussion points during your doctor visits, but they are not meant to override your physician treatment recommendations. This is a free service.
Support Offered
HOW CAN I HELP?
Depending on where you are within the diagnosis stage and/or treatment course, I would like to make your experiences as convenient and individualized as possible. This information can be used as discussion points with your healthcare providers. I can provide:
- Education and suggestions regarding your diagnosis to include understanding the stage of disease and the treatment process to discuss with your oncologist
- Second opinion information to include centers of excellence facilities and how to access them via the insurance company or independently, including getting a faster appointment
- List of questions to ask your local oncologist and at second opinion visits
- Symptoms management during treatment to include nutritional advice and comfort measures
- Resources for wigs, massages, dietician consults, obtaining durable medical equipment, physical therapy, bras, lymphedema appliances, transportation, alternative therapy, and home services
- Information for getting chemotherapy approved by your insurance company and how to communicate with your local pharmacists and hospitals
This website offers information; feel free to send an email and use the blog if you have questions.
THE KNOWLEDGE LIBRARY
Good to know!
Are you having a hard time with sustaining your appetite because the food just doesn't taste the same? This condition is called dysgeusia, or altered taste. It is usually a result of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Sometimes its hard to remedy but you can try the following suggestions:
1. Utilize plastic eating utensils.
2. Season foods with lemon juice whenever appropriate.
3. Eat small but frequent meals throughout the day.
4. Sometimes you may lean towards skipping meals, but in order to tolerate your treatment, you need to eat. Therefore, modify your eating schedules to the time clock method; clock in (eat) something small at least every 2-3 hours.
5. Get help from your provider with issues like heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. He or she can prescribe medication usually by calling it into your pharmacy.
* Go to "Educational and More Resources" under the services tab for access to downloadable information*
Education Resources
It is important to understand how to obtain reputable information regarding your cancer because your situation is unique to your own disease characteristics and results. Hence, even though your neighbor or friend with cancer only required chemotherapy, but your treatment will include both chemo and radiation most likely means that your cancer features and stage could be a little different from your neighbor's. In this case, it would be a good idea to discuss your recommended treatment protocol with the oncologist. If you are still unsure, then having that second opinion from another oncologist may help to ease some of your concerns.
Patients may use Google to try to obtain valuable information about their cancer and recommended treatment, but pick up the wrong facts which could cause unnecessary worry. Oncologists mainly prescribe treatment based on the patient's diagnostic features, thus, patients may be assigned individualized treatment plans. Physicians use researched and evidence based treatment protocols as outlined in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for healthcare providers. As a patient, you can also utilize the NCCN patient website to better understand the treatment process and why your physician chose your specific regimen. You can also obtain information regarding your cancer staging and other educational and support resources.
The American Cancer Society offers a frequently used educational website for patients and healthcare providers regarding cancer; they also provide a prolific amount of resources for those needing access to healthcare insurance, transportation, hotel and lodging, financial assistance for care, wigs, durable medical equipment, and so much more.
More than likely, your physician and the nurses will be able to provide treatment and symptoms management education, a social worker to help find financial resources, nutrition education, durable medical equipment, and physical therapy referrals. They will also be able to help with accessing services through your local Cancer Support Community.
To promote treatment compliance and efficacy, it is strongly encouraged that you write down your needs and questions to discuss with the doctor and nurse prior to office visits. Make sure you have the correct contact information for the office and nurse. Utilize a binder to store educational information, lab results, radiology results, and other pertinent values. Do your best to understand your treatment regimen so that you can better collaborate with your healthcare providers and have a successful outcome.
