I need some advice
Hello, fellow Steemians. Today, I need your help. My mother is currently rather ill due to being in a late stage of lung cancer. Tomorrow, she will be undergoing her first radiotherapy session. This is to help reduce the lesions in her brain, allowing her to recover better.
She is quite weak due to the side effects of her prior treatment, the immunotherapy, and because of the lesions in the brain affecting her mobility and coordination. According to my research online, the side effects of radiotherapy would make it so that the symptoms would worsen for a bit before getting better due to swelling in the brain tissue.
Here is how you can help. I am honestly useless when it comes to taking care of people. So, I need as much advice as I can have on helping her be comfortable during this tough period.
Recently, I learned from various sources on the best ways to pick her up from her bed. Also, we have recently got her a new bed and some additional steps to help her move around the room.
Unfortunately, she is almost completely numb on her right side. This makes her unable to move her leg on that side unless assisted. This is somewhat problematic as we already have all our efforts on supporting her on her trips to the washroom. We have considered using a wheelchair but it was hard to maneuver in a small space. Currently, to help with the mobility issue, we found that wheeling her in an office chair works. But, the office chair isn't as stable as the wheelchair. So, I am not sure which is better to prioritise, maneuverability or stability.
Thus, I would love to hear anyone's advice on helping her out! If there is any way I can make her more comfortable, I would love to hear it. I would prefer advice regards the physical stuff but psychological help is good too! If you have written a Steemit article about tips on helping people with weaknesses or disabilities, feel free to share the link below. (I will drop by with an upvote, even if my upvote doesn't really count for much)
I don't really have much SBD/STEEM but if someone's advice really works out, I will try my best to send a token of appreciation.
Thank you so much!
I'm so inept with matters like these but I'm sending my best wishes and prayers for a fast recovery to your mom.
But one thing I'd often do to ease someone's pain is to massage their hands or feet. I google reflexology points, then focus on stimulating corresponding problem areas. It alleviates illness and ache somehow. Perhaps reflexology works plus the care & warmth may have been channeled through touch too.
Thank you! Yeah I have been massaging a lot!
hang in there @tadstrange ... my mum had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and I became the primary care-giver. A good friend suggested I got in touch with Hospice and they were God sent. I believe you are in Penang now right?... I just checked and they have one there too. Please call them, they not only help the patient but also the caregiver. By the way, one of the things they told me really stuck, "they said we don't see them as a patient but as a person"....All the best
Thank you!
Ive grown up around disabled ppl and when it comes to mobility, they often use the sport wheelchair. It small and very light. And easy to manuever around coz it doesnt take much space. Akin to an office chair.
To buy it is abit expensive compared to normal wheelchair but i think there should be a place where u can rent it as an option.
Theres a few newer design now i think compared the one i remember.
Wish your mother a speedy recovery.
My advice is free :)
Thanks :D
Sending best wishes and all the moral support possible to you and your mum... I had to care for my mum after a stroke years ago, and recently my brother-in-law. It is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting - so do take care of yourself... so you can help her best. All the best!