As Hurricane Dorian threatens millions of people along the East Coast, people with cancer are among the most vulnerable. Especially for patients receiving treatment on a strict schedule, or those who may not be feeling well enough to relocate, a dangerous storm forecast and subsequent evacuation orders can cause a great deal of anxiety.
For those affected by Dorianand future stormes this hurricane seasonSurvivorNet is sharing a list of helpful tips to adequately prepare for the storm and minimize treatment interruptions.
Read More2. Charge Your Medical Devices
Heavy winds are known to down power lines, and flooding can interrupt electricity as well. With an oncoming storm, patients who rely on electricity to power medical devices such as breathing machines should plan ahead for an alternate source of power, including batteries and generators. If possible, charge up the device in whatever capacity it allows.
3. Print Copies of Your Medical Records
Cancer treatment is often highly specific to your disease and medical history, which makes it important to prepare for the possibility that you might have to seek care from another doctor who's not as familiar with your treatment plan.
The best way to do this is to make sure you have a copy (or several copies) of your medical records on hand to present to another cancer center or clinic should you need to. Once you print these records, it putting them in a waterproof bag can add another layer of protection. With this tip in particular, it's smart to give yourself time. Many hospitals and cancer centers now have web portals that allow you to access your medical records electronically (in which case you should keep your login information handy) but in some cases, you may need to contact your hospital ahead of time.
If you aren't able to print out your medical records in full, the American Cancer Society suggests, at the very least, writing down the basics, including:
- Your type and stage of cancer
- The type of treatment you are receiving or have received in the past
- The date of your last treatment
- The name and contact information for your doctor
- Any other health problems, including allergies
- Your list of current medications
If you're participating in a clinical trial for your treatment, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends making detailed notes of your National Clinical Trial (NCT) number, the name of your principal investigator, the names of any facilities where you receive treatment, and the exact type of treatment you're receiving.
4. Plan For Evacuation Assistance
Some patients with cancer may have limited mobility. Whether you're in a wheelchair or just aren't in a state to be traveling for evacuation, you should consider these limitations, and how they might affect your ability to evacuate if the forecast calls for it. Some people may be eligible for evacuation assistance. MD Anderson's Dr. Berkheiser recommends calling 211 or visiting www.211.org.
5. Communicate With Your Doctor About Disaster PlansAnd Ask As Many Questions as Possible
Many cancer centers and hospitals located in disaster-prone regions have detailed plans in place to keep the facility up and running should something like a hurricane hit. (So don't assume your appointments are going to be canceled). As soon as you hear rumblings of a storm in the forecast, it's a good idea to ask your doctor about these plans, and how they might affect your individual treatment.
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If you're in the middle of a course of treatment, it's especially important to ask your doctor about potential interruptions to, say, your chemotherapy infusions or your radiation sessions.
"Patients need to know how long they can go between treatments and be okay," Dr. Berkheiser shared with MD Anderson's Oncolog. "That's a conversation they need to have with their physician."
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