Survivors? Get Your Ducks in a Row
September 9, 2008 by Karen Lynch
Filed under Women's Health
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It’s theme day at the b5media health and wellness channel — a day during the month that we are encouraged to write about a particular topic — and today is all about back to school.
Ironically, it’s the first full day of preschool for my daughter. And that means a lot to me … because I’m about to get more working hours into my day. And that means a lot to me because, well, breast cancer awareness month is getting closer by the minute!
Of course, there was a lot to do to get ready for today … and I assume I’ll be busy, busy, busy for the next few days at the very least. Because I need to get my ducks in a row.
- Schedule all the doctor’s appointments you’ve neglected to put on your calendar. As soon as your kids’ calendars come home from their teachers, you get those dates on the calendar, right? So why not incorporate your own needs into that mix? Just do it. Your health depends on it. (If you need to regroup and find a new doctor, start with the professionals at one of the National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers in your area.)
- Plan for your childcare needs; especially if you are going to be in treatment this year. You need to determine if your chemo and/or radiation schedule coincides with school hours, conflicts with field trips, takes into consideration your child’s transportation to/from school. You also should make sure you have some ‘me’ time built into your schedule. (Let me know how that goes, would ya?) If you need help finding the right person and examining your options, start here.
- Start exercising! The weather is great this time of year in most places so it’s a perfect time to get outside and walk. You know exercise is critical to you as a survivor — so ‘just do it’ while you have the time and the weather will be on your side. If you prefer a gym … use this gym locator to search for one near you.
- Stock up on meals so that you don’t have dinner time stress! Maybe for you that means reconnecting with the person who coordinated getting you meals last year. Maybe that means spending a weekend cooking meals in advance and stashing them in your freezer. (For me, it means visiting Entrees Made Easy or Cookin’ Dinners and letting them do the hard part.)
Your turn … what is it you know you need to do now that the kids have gone back to school?
(Image: Newscom)
