Before You Donate
Think very seriously before donating to any breastcancer organization, or fundraising program until you read their Annual Report to see who their top contributors are, and if they have a product that appears frequently in the message the organization sends to the public. That would be unethical and its illegal. The same applies to a request that the public buys products, but does not receive a "donor receipt" for tax-deductible purpose. Read any and all food labels that breastcancer "non-profits" are promoting to raise money. Some organizations tell the public to help them raise money by asking you to visit their websites, but that only gives them "hits" to increase their sponsors.
Another tip, "signing" an online Petition is not acceptable, so don't fall for such antics. An ethical non-profit, or professional will not request your visit to their website, nor use "cookies" placed on your computer when you visit their site.
Purchase the Breastcancer Postage Stamp, the Post Office will always give you your charitable deduction receipt. Its a valid form of fund raising.
What Do I Tell My Doctors?
'Sit Down And Think! This is important. . .'
Before you are admitted to a hospital, visit your doctor, or a new doctor, or a dentist, it is important that you think of any and all drugs, herbs, treatments, devices, and/or other doctors, or practioners that you are or have utilized in the past six months. I say six months, because that will give your doctor an opportunity to ask you further questions if s/he thinks it is necessary.
For example, many of us take vitamins, herbs, and homeopathic remedies. Some of these items we start taking because we have seen a homeopathic practitioner, or have seen these preparations in a store, drug store, grocery store, health food store. Or, we have seen a physician other than the one you are going to now, or received a drug prescription, additive, vitamins, herbs, etc. from a friend or relative (that you should never, ever, ever do!!).
You may have taken something, or in fact, don't know what caused a feeling that something was wrong, or had a short period in which you thought you might be experiencing an emergency - but, did not want to seek emergency care, or summons an ambulance. That is not unusual. Don't deny these concerns, everyone has them. Delay often causes deaths from heart attacks, strokes, cerebral hemorrhages, etc. Now, in front of a new physician (anesthesiologist, gynecologist, oncologist, internist, family doctor, or nurse) you feel that such incidents or experiences were of no consequence, after all you're sitting there alive. Right? Well, you may just be fortunate. So be truthful, open and don't hold back.
Why? Some drugs, when taken with certain herbs may cause seizures. Some vitamins taken within a certain time of surgery, may cause excess bleeding. In this case, they only need to be stopped for so many days or weeks prior to surgery - but how many of us know we are going to surgery in two weeks, for example? Or, after we've seen our doctor, we are in an auto accident, and taken to the Emergency Room by ambulance, and there is no information on you to help your doctors.
Believe me, "ER" physicians are the sharpest group of doctors, and they are keenly aware of such situations, and if you have not told your own doctor, or do not wear a medical bracelet, or tag (I used to pin my tag to my bra because I knew that would be a first place someone would see it if I was in an emergency - Ya, now I have to think of another place since my mastectomies!).
Someone, a police officer, emergency technician with the ambulance services could tell us: does anyone check the cards in our wallets, where so many of us put our important information? For example, I always keep my doctors names on a card in my wallet because I know the doctors listed know what my medical and drug history is, and current medications, vitamins, etc. are. If anyone knows for sure, email me.
I have been in two auto accidents for the first time in my life, in the last four years! I do not think anyone touched my wallet. The "EMTs" were incredibly kind, efficient, informative (that I can remember as I was "in" and "out" of it), and I know I felt well cared for. However, I am certain that they did not because in one instance the EMT was intensely speaking with the hospital to "Well, find her chart...I have to know......!" Yes, he needed to know if my chest port (for chemo infusion) was still in place so he could use it to start IV fluids. (Of course the hospital hopelessly couldn't find my thick chart!)
Anesthesia: You will be interviewed by an anesthesiologist prior to surgery (if you aren't don't show up!!! Go some place else fast!). Always tell that doctor what you are taking, especially doses of aspirin, vitamins E or C, and herbs. Also, if you have had any breathing problems, or feelings of numbness anywhere in your body, when, where, what your were doing, and what you did about it. Did you ever have a "bad" reaction to 'surgery,' or an anesthetic, even in the dentist's office? Anesthesiologists are usually very keen and search for information, so that they are prepared, "just in case." Even if they aren't they have the equipment they need close at hand in a well-equipped hospital - and always check that out with the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation, and check out the doctors you will be using as well.
Most states also keep information on acupuncture practitioners, beauty/hair dressers, barbers, the physicians, hospitals, radiology for x-ray and mammogram compliance, including Radiation Control (which you may find in the state health departments, usually.). If you cannot find information on the latter, contract the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
ELDERLY/CHRONICALLY ILL PERSONS: If you are in a situation where you may need to have information available to emergency care givers, or you have a loved one whom you care for, or you know might be alone or incapable of reaching help, and/or advising medical personnel of information about their condition, drugs, etc. you can write or type everything out, and roll it up and either put in in a zip lock bag with a red piece of paper inside so that it is very evident, and tape it to the refrigerator door so that it is easily seen. Then notify your local emergency medical service that you have done that so they will know where to go for information - or they, in fact, may have a program already in force.
I recommended fifteen years ago, that EMS provide people with such situations with a "test tube" and cork, and a self-sticking pad, so that this could be taped inside the person's refrigerator, in case of fire or other emergency, the information would be secured. In fact I was ready to begin manufacturing these kits myself. I was so worried about my grandmother, at the time, in another town across the country. In fact, whenever I visited her, I'd find something grossly out of order, or in need of repair. Once, I found the wiring on the back of her refrigerator virtually shedding! Another time, the bathroom rug kept slipping out from under ME! Grandma just said "Oh I just step in the right place on it." Yes, I did...carpet her bathroom for her. Another time, she couldn't get a lamp to work. One of my five children and I began to track down the problem but wanting to unplug it first, found ourselves following the extension cords around the room...Opps, we found it. Grandma had plugged the lamp extension cord into itself! Solved.
Be sure you notify the local hospital, also, to see if they have an emergency contact device program, so that someone needing help can automatically reach the hospital if they fall, or are in need of help. Most hospital ERs now have this service.
Basically, remember, it is important to know what you are taking, and don't be shy about it, and tell your doctors. Doctors take vitamins and herbs too, and go to chiropractors, and are M.D. s and D.O. s and use each other, and work with each other. They also work with massage therapists, physical therapists, R.N.s., certified aquatic instructors (water) from the Arthritis Foundation (of which I hold a certification, also). Tell your doctors everything!
KNOW THESE THINGS: Do you bruise easily, or have bleeding gums, or sputum (throat discharge), arm, neck, stomach, and/or chest pain, numbness anywhere, pain or discomfort when you pass urine or bowel movements...and is there any blood you can see, if so is it bright red, or black-appearing; coughing, if so when; headaches, if so where, and when; back pain, and where; previous surgeries, dates and reasons; communicable diseases: measles, chickenpox, German measles, polio, etc.
Did you receive your Polio immunization in the 60s (the sugar cube?). If so, there is a strong possibility you had Polio (Sabin Vaccine) whether you knew it or not. So visit the Post-Polio Syndrome website or contact their director, Dr. Richard L. Bruno. if you have any unexplained fatigue, muscle weakness, chilling, difficulty swallowing that cannot be explained, etc.
Have you had a tetanus injection? When? Was there a reason if it was recently, or just to be up to date on your immunizations. Have you traveled out of the country lately? When? Where (twice I have had the two worst "illnesses" after returning from trips to Europe, and the Pacific Rim). Once my throat was so sore, the doctor backed away from me when he saw it! Lovely!
If you are a woman, when was your first and last menstrual period? Have you had a hysterectomy? When? What type (were the ovaries removed, etc.?). How many pregnancies have you had? Live births? Pregnancy terminations? When? Please do not be hesitant to tell your doctor this information. Your breasts: do you do the breast self exam? Do you have an feelings of fullness anywhere in your breasts? Where? When? Any discharge? Dimpling of the breast tissue? Any changes at all? Do you exercise? How and when?
If you are a man, do you have any trouble voiding (passing your water)? Are there any problems with your testicles, has there been, are you circumcised? Do you ever have an lower abdominal or side pain? Do you ever pass blood? When was the last prostate examination done? If never, be sure the doctor draws the blood for the PSA test before examining your prostate - the exam may increase the PSA test levels. Do you exercise? When and what do you do?
Do you have any leg, neck or back problems? If so, tell the doctor so that you may be positioned in surgery so that you won't be further harmed. I had a "bad shoulder" when I had my first breast biopsy, it was a stereotactic biopsy, and the position the doctor told me was "hard on woman, and could hurt." You bet! When you look at that contraption they put you in, and one breast has to hang down into an open hole in the table (which reminded me of an autopsy table), you realize you will have to do something. So, I just asked the radiologist if I could have some folded towels to get myself supported and comfortable first, and he was very helpful. I was the first patient they had who was able to just get up off of that table without any discomfort (other than the biopsy site).
No one wants you harmed, or to have any reactions to anything. So don't be shy, tell all. If you aren't "heard," check it out and ask: "Did you hear me? If so, why are you not reacting, or answering me?" This will be covered on What To Expect From A Physician.
Reviewed: Sunday, July 22, 2007
