Breast Cancer and Emergency Preparedness

I was currently reassessing what has occurred in Maui and what the hurricane off of the West Coast have on n all of us and specifically a cancer patient who is still in active treatment.  Although the loss of power may even be  only for a short time, most people are truly not prepared for anything.r. So, once again I stared to think about emergency preparedness and I wanted to address some points that a cancer patient might want to consider, especially if they are currently in treatment since I don’t know of a single person who has not had some sort of an emergency situation in their life.

“The more prepared we are to handle emergencies when they arise, the more lives we can save and it couldn’t be easier than sharing information like this through our social media channels.”Barbara Jacoby

Specific guidance that I had also been given in the past is as follows:

“Plan ahead and be sure to maintain at least a two-week supply of any current medications. Make a list of all your current medications and their dosages, and talk to your doctor about what to do if you have to miss a dose or treatment. In addition, prepare a dedicated cooler with ice packs or frozen water bottles for medications that need to be kept refrigerated. Research the location of the nearest emergency room and how to get there. Call your insurance company in advance to be sure which ones are covered by your policy. Remember to keep your car’s gas tank full, too, in case you need to seek medical attention or quickly evacuate.”

Another important piece of this article addresses organizing your medical information in one place:

“It’s possible you won’t immediately be able to travel to your regular doctor’s office for care. In the event you must visit a doctor who’s not familiar with your cancer history or treatment, organize and prepare extra copies of your care information in one place. This information should include your diagnosis, including the type and stage of your cancer, the type of treatment you’re currently receiving and the dosage, as well as when you started your current treatment and any treatments you had previously. In addition, be sure to include a list of any other medications you’re on, including any supplements, information about allergies and immunizations and a copy of your most recent lab work.”

“Lab results are especially important!.”

Even if your doctor provides online records, it’s also a good idea to have hard copies of your medical records in a folder or binder, in case there’s a power outage or you’re unable to charge your phone or computer.

It is my hope that if you are a cancer patient who is currently in treatment, have a compromised immune system, etc. or are a caregiver or friend of a cancer patient who may have/had to deal with any sort of catastrophe, both now and in the future, that you will read and share this information. And don’t forget about all of the other preparations that you should make in advance with regard to a 2-week food supply of food and water if you need to shelter in place, extra blankets, etc. to keep you warm.

And you might even want to consider having a bag packed with extras of everything including some cash in case you need to evacuate to an area at a greater distance The more prepared we are to handle emergencies when they arise, the more lives we can save and it couldn’t be easier than sharing information like this through our social media channels.