Creating Your Care Team

Asking For Help Is Easier Than You Think

The beginning of this journey is overwhelming – from the moment you receive your diagnosis, to shuffling to and from doctors’ appointments — nothing about this is easy or familiar.

This is a crisis for you and your family. Among all this upheaval and chaos, you can feel better when you are an active participant in your treatment.

Being organized is key for feeling grounded and in control. 

There are some very important decisions for you to make in an incredibly short amount of time. 

That’s why it’s so critical to create a care team for yourself, your life, and your family. 

What is a Care Team?

There are two types of care teams – the one for your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Then, there is the care team for your active life and family – a team in place to replace all of the tasks you do everyday when you are receiving treatments. 

Your Physical And Emotional Care Team consists of:

• Medical Oncologists

• Radiation Oncologists

• Surgeon 

• Naturopathic or Functional Medicine Doctor

• Holistic Nutritionist

• Therapist 

• Acupuncturist

• Physical or Massage Therapist

  
  

Your Life And Family Care Team consists of:

• Caregiver – a family member, spouse, friend, or care agency

• Driver to and from appointments, family errands

• Shopping and meal delivery

• Cleaning and laundry 

• Family administrator to manage finances, bill paying, household upkeep

• Pet care – dog walking, vet appointments, grooming

  
  

You are in a vulnerable space, so you want to find  seasoned practitioners who have experience working with people with cancer. Your choices will also depend on what is available in your location.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you’ve never had acupuncture and think those skinny little needles are scary, let the acupuncturist know that this is your first time and that you have some apprehensions so they can adjust the treatment accordingly. 

Becoming Organized

Whether you already have a system in place for keeping track of appointments, or if this is something new to your life, it’s critical that you have all the information in one place – so treat yourself to a nice appointment book or use an online calendar. 

You’ll want to have all the contract information of everyone in your care teams easily accessible – in your phone as well as your appointment book. 

Don’t overbook yourself. The goal is to ensure you’re on top of your appointments, and have time to be a person.

This is the time to ask for help and say “no” to activities outside of medical appointments that don’t nurture you.

Tempting as it may be to hand over all decision-making to your oncologist, try instead to remain an active participant in your treatment and healing.

Ask questions, seek out the latest research, and explore other possibilities. This is what it means to be empowered — being informed, aware, and taking charge of what happens to you.

There’s often a compulsion to try and move through cancer treatment as quickly as possible. 

Don’t rush. The decisions you are about to make will impact your health for years to come.

It is in your best interest – physically and emotionally – to make informed choices based on what you’ve learned and your intention to heal in the best way possible for you.