Hi guys -
As many of you know I do a fair bit of volunteer work within my community and also around Australia via this great invention called “the net” by many. The internet has meant that not only can I volunteer
locally but I can also reach out to others around Australia and beyond who may need support and guidance whilst dealing with their chronically ill children or relative.
One of the most often asked questions is in relation to healthcare and any tips that I and other volunteers may offer. Some of the families that I come into contact with are so stressed, tired and confused that even simple questions seem huge and unattainable to them.
So recently I sat down and looked at some of the questions that are asked most often and have written out an info sheet which I then laminated and attached magnets so that the sheets could be placed on the fridge for easy access.
I then thought it would also be a good idea to put some of this info here on Minti for others who might need a little help. I realize that this won’t apply to many BUT it may help those who need it the most . . . . . . . So here we go . . . .
~ Be involved in your OWN healthcare
As silly as this may seem it’s important to make sure that you are taking part in every decision that is made in relation to you or your children. By making sure that you are active in your healthcare you may prevent things from going wrong and you may also make sure that you are getting the best care for you and or your children.
~ Make sure you SPEAK UP if you have any questions
It’s very important to ask questions, don’t’ be scared to ask as asking questions will help you to understand more about what is going on. Sometimes doctors or other healthcare workers may not be very understanding; if you have ANY problems understanding then ask again and ask that they speak in a way that you can understand.
~ Learn about ANY treatment or condition that you may have
If you are diagnosed with any health conditions then it is very important you make sure that you are informed as to how or why or what. Knowing and understanding any treatments is just as important. It really does help if you take the time to understand as often our children will ask us lots of questions particularly if they are frightened.
Being able to answer our child’s questions can and often help our children to feel reassured and or less frightened and it also can help us to understand any issues that may affect us as adults. Here are some questions that you may want or need to ask:
What should I/we look out for? Can you please explain more about my/his/her condition and any tests or treatments so that I can get a better idea of everything?
Can you please explain just how all these tests/treatments will help and exactly what may be involved?
Are there any risks that I need to be aware of and if so what may or may not happen?
What will happen if I choose not to have any treatment?
~ Keep lists of medicines in your purse
I cannot stress the importance of doing this!! You never know what can happen and having a complete list of any and all medications that either you, your partner and/or your children are taking may be the difference between life and death.
Here are some idea’s to help with writing out this list:
- Use different colours for each person on the list
- Include over the counter medicines and all vitamins
- List ALL allergies as well and use capitals for allergies as this is very important
Keep this list in your wallet and or purse and make sure that you check its up to date every month. I do this on the 1st of each month. I found that including this list in my routines helped me to keep it up to date. I have a number of things that I do on the 1st of each month.
~ Understanding you medication
Many times I speak or counsel mums whom are feeling guilty because someone they love has suffered an allergic reaction and they were not aware. All this can be avoided by simply reading a label.
The first and most important thing to do is to make sure that you have the correct medication. Everyone can make a mistake even your local pharmacist so check, never assume. Read the leaflet enclosed with the medication. If there is no leaflet then you can look up your medication online. . Here is the link to do this –
CLICK HERE . . If you do not have access to the net all the time then you can ask your pharmacist to get one for you, this is a
free service from most pharmacists.
It is also very important also to make sure that you understand:
- Directions for using this medication
- Possible side effects
- How long the medication will be needed for
~ Understanding what will happen if surgery or another procedure may need to happen
Sometimes your doctor may suggest that you or your child may need another procedure or even surgery. If this happens be sure to find out what may happen etc. ASK questions. . Here are some questions that you may like to ask:-
- Are there any risks involved?
- Are there any other possible or less invasive treatments?
- What costs may be involved?
- Can I seek another doctor’s opinion?
- Will I or may child need any special care afterwards?
- How long before I see or feel any improvement?
Remember to tell any treating doctors/nurses etc of any allergies that you may have even if you think the allergy is not important. Some of our medicines etc come from many different things so any allergy that you may have IS important.
It’s also important to mention anything about how you felt after any other anesthetic you may have had. If after an operation you felt really ill and vomited then this is important knowledge that your anesthetist should be informed about. It’s important to remember that nothing is too small.
These idea’s that I have wrote about are just a guide and there are many other things that can be added. Only you know what other things you can think of to add as this is about YOU and YOUR family.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope that you have found this helpful. . I look forward to reading any comments that you may choose to leave . .
Cheers Kellzacar
© Copyright 2008 Kellzacar. . All writings by Kellzacar remain the property of Kellzacar and should not be republished or copied without written permission. Kellzacar can be emailed via Minti. Any similarities are by coincidence only as all writings etc are the research and or thoughts of the writer. All links are to websites used or visited whilst writing this article.
