From the moment you heard the words that your loved one has Pancreatic Cancer,you are aware from then on,that life will change dramatically.There is a period of shock and at the same time you want to do everything you can to help the one you love.Welcome to the Caregivers' Page.For you have embarked on a journey that will show you a lot about love and life.I have compiled some important issues that may be faced during the battle of PC.There will be times when you ask yourself,"What do I do?" "How do I go about it?" Hopefully you will find this information helpful when and if you hit some rough patches along the way.     As the main caregiver,make sure you are bringing your loved one home knowing that you will have support from an outside source.Whether it be home care nurses,or someone to call to answer questions as they arise.Your loved one may be ill but in most cases can still make their own decisions.That remains an important fact throughout the illness.They may have no control over what is happening to their body but there should be no reason why their sense of independance be taken away from them.Give some time for everyone to adjust to this new situation,emotions are running high.Fear,disbelief,shock,anger,denial.They key is to listen,and be open to discussion.     There is no doubt you will most likely be present during the frequent Doctor visits,and Chemotherapy treatments if your loved one opted to take them.It is a good idea to jot down questions or issues that need to be addressed in a journal and to bring it with you at each Doctor's appointment.Considering the time constraints Doctor's have and their heavy patient load,it will make the visits more productive if you arrive prepared.The Doctor more often than not,will appreciate your organized manner.This will also avoid the "Oops,I forgot to ask him..." It happens to us all.Taking quick notes during the Doctor visits will help as well.Sometimes there is so much information to absorb at once that  five minutes later we forgot what on earth he just said.     Sometimes the amount of medication that must be taken can be confusing.Get a pill box with the days of the week written on them,fill them up with each medication that is required to be taken for that day.As an extra precaution you can also write in a little journal the times each medication was taken.Either way,if one hour leads into another and nobody remembers a particular medication was taken,all you have to do is check in the pill box or the journal entry.Remember not to wait until the last minute to refill a prescription.Always make sure you have enough medication on hand without risk of running out.Doctors go on vacations and out of town like everyone else.He most probably won't be writing prescriptions while sipping his MaiTai.      PC sufferers often have a problem with poor appetite.Chemotherapy can have this side effect too.In any case,pushing them to eat will only worsen the problem.They are more depressed and frustrated than you are that they can no longer eat like they used to.Here are a few tips that I found helpful...Have plenty of soups or food broken down in the blender on hand for those days that solid food is out of the question.For food on request,something that can be prepared or heated up within minutes is a good plan because often when they are hungry that feeling may not last long.Eating with them can help too.Having a conversation,watching T.V. or listening to music while eating together will sometimes distract the aversion to eating.Eating when hungry may work better than having a scheduled eating time.Putting a big portion on a plate will end up resulting in a more depressed look because they know they won't be able to eat it all.Small and even tiny portions are best.They can always have more if they want.Leaving small snacks in bowls around the house can help too.Nibbling here and there is better than nothing.Don't be discouraged if you see they are not eating big portions of food.Even if they finish a small sandwich that's been cut up in quarters is a big accomplishment.Soft foods help too,especially during Chemotherapy.The taste buds change.Food may start to have a metallic taste due to the Chemo.White patches may appear in the mouth and the tongue can become extremely red and ulcerated.Ice cream can help with the taste,and the soreness of the mouth that can occur from the treatments.Citrus sometimes changes the metallic taste in the mouth.Drinking from a straw instaed of straight out of the glass will help the soreness of the mouth.If no food can be tolerated at all there is a supplement drink called Ensure that comes in different flavors.It is best served cold.     You may need to give your loved one injections,sometimes several times a day depending on the medication.I will give you a step by step instruction on how to give a subcutaneous injection.It is advised that before you even think about taking on the responsability of giving injections that you have a nurse show you,and practice in front of her until you get it right.You will be nervous at first but it will soon become part of the routine and you won't give it a second thought. Gather everything you will need(Syringe,Alcohol swabs/pads,Medication) Wash your hands thoroughly Have your loved one sit in a comfortable position Always clean the top of the medication bottle with an alcohol pad Wipe alcohol pad on the site of injection (upper arm,stomach,thigh) Letting the skin dry before injecting will eliminate the stinging sensation Remove the cap from the needle Pull back the plunger on the syringe to take in enough air to equal the medication dose Push the needle into the top of the bottle of medication and inject the air straight into the bottle With the needle still in the bottle,turn the bottle and the syringe upside down Pull the plunger to fill the syringe past the dosage Push the plunger slowly to the line of the correct dosage of medication Important: Check for air bubbles.If there are air bubbles,tap the syringe with your finger to make the bubbles rise to the top Pull the plunger past the dose again and push the plunger until all the air bubbles are gone.Continue thisuntil there are no more air bubbles Tiny air bubbles are not dangerous but lessen the amount of medication that is supposed to be given Remove the needle from the bottle Carefully place the syringe down so the needle doesn't touch anything.I used to replace the needle cap just to make sure With the opposite hand you will be using to give the injection,pinch the skin and fatty tissue between your thumb and first finger Place the needle to the skin,and using a 90 degree angle quickly push the needle all the way into the skin Do not change the direction the needle once inserted this will cause pain Make sure you have inserted the needle all the way if it is too close to the top of the skin a lump will form Stop pinching the skin and in a slow but steady movement,press the plunger to release the medication When the plunger has reached the end,before removing the needle wait,count slowly to five.This will help stop the medication from leaking out of the injection site Pull out the needle and place an alcohol pad or gauze on the site and hold it there for a few seconds Gently rub the injection site to close the needle track Take another alcohol pad and wipe the top of the medication bottle again before putting it away Dispose of the needle and syringe in the special container That wasn't so bad was it?! On to Caregiver's page 2        ©Copyright, Cheryl 2002-2003 This page was created while consuming 10 cups of tea and listening to a Bob Marley CD.