The Boy Scout motto is, “Be prepared.” Even if you were never in the Scouting program, this is a good motto to adopt. In your effort to stay healthy, it’s of great value to learn to think ahead.
I’m sure you hear this from your parents and doctors, but it’s a true fact that drinking plenty of water helps prevent pain crises. I have found it also prevents headaches. Most doctors advise Sickle Cell patients to drink a gallon of water a day. Water allows sickle cells to pass through the veins more easily and can prevent sickling. One or two days of not drinking enough water can trigger a pain crisis.
I have three different sized insulated water bottles. One holds about 12 oz. and is used when I’m just going to be out of the house for maybe an hour. The second, which holds about 60 oz., I carry if I’m going to be out of the house for several hours. Then I have a bottle that holds nearly a gallon of water. That one I take with me if I’m going to be out all day.
It’s wise to get into the habit of taking water with you everywhere you go, regardless of how brief you think you may be out. You never know when something may delay you longer than expected.
Showing posts with label 14) Prepare for Your Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 14) Prepare for Your Day. Show all posts
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Snacks
Due to the fact that your body has a lower red blood cell count than most people, your system burns more energy trying to produce healthy red blood cells. You may have a greater need to eat more often than other people. This certainly is true of me. I have always been one to eat a little bit of food many times throughout the day. My body has always required nourishment every few hours. As a result, I always have food of some kind with me as well as water.
If your body needs are similar, it’s wise to keep this in mind, especially if you’re going to be out for long periods of time. Power bars, granola bars, fresh or dehydrated fruit are easy food items to carry on your person or in your car.
Since many painkillers can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach, keeping snacks on hand is also helpful in case you have to take pain medicine on the go. Having food and water available when out with friends will allow you to continue socializing without having to make special stops to satisfy your needs.
If your body needs are similar, it’s wise to keep this in mind, especially if you’re going to be out for long periods of time. Power bars, granola bars, fresh or dehydrated fruit are easy food items to carry on your person or in your car.
Since many painkillers can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach, keeping snacks on hand is also helpful in case you have to take pain medicine on the go. Having food and water available when out with friends will allow you to continue socializing without having to make special stops to satisfy your needs.
Take a Coat
Staying warm can also prevent a pain crisis and hospitalization. When leaving your home, try to think about where you are going and what the temperature could be like there. Though it may be 80ยบ outside, it could be thirty below in the doctor’s office. Taking a sweater or coat when going to the movies, church, or any place where an air conditioner could be set too low for your comfort is advisable. On the other hand, being cold is a good excuse to cuddle up next that cute little somebody next to you.
It’s also beneficial to think about weather conditions and the time of day. For example, if you leave your home in the warmth of the noonday sun but will return after dark, consider how the temperature will change during those hours and be prepared. Though it may be warm when you leave, after the sun sets it could be very cold. Be ready for that. Have additional clothing or a coat with you. It’s better to be too warm and have to carry a jacket than get too cold and have a crisis. Do what you must do to remain healthy and try not to worry about what people may think.
I know I sometimes get strange looks from people when it’s over ninety degrees in the summer and I’m carrying a jacket with me into the movie theater or doctor’s office. Since it’s typically meat locker temperatures in those places, I’d rather carry a coat inside and not need it, than be without its warmth and freeze for two hours.
It’s also beneficial to think about weather conditions and the time of day. For example, if you leave your home in the warmth of the noonday sun but will return after dark, consider how the temperature will change during those hours and be prepared. Though it may be warm when you leave, after the sun sets it could be very cold. Be ready for that. Have additional clothing or a coat with you. It’s better to be too warm and have to carry a jacket than get too cold and have a crisis. Do what you must do to remain healthy and try not to worry about what people may think.
I know I sometimes get strange looks from people when it’s over ninety degrees in the summer and I’m carrying a jacket with me into the movie theater or doctor’s office. Since it’s typically meat locker temperatures in those places, I’d rather carry a coat inside and not need it, than be without its warmth and freeze for two hours.
Carrying Medications
Another way to be prepared for your day is to make sure you have whatever medicines you may need. If you’re in school, your parents may have to make arrangements for the nurse’s station to have a small supply of your medications on hand. By going to the nurse’s office, you don’t have to worry about losing it or people jumping to the wrong conclusion about what you are taking and why. Often, schools restrict students from carrying prescriptions on campus. School policy may require you go to the office for this purpose.
If you’re out of school and do carry spare medication on you, I suggest you don’t have more than a day or two worth of pills on you at a time. If you carry your whole bottle with you and loose it, you’re going to have problems. I learned this lesson well. At the time, I was in my early twenties and in the habit of carrying my entire bottle of painkillers with me. One day—when on vacation and far from any doctor who knew me—I went to take my medicine and was in panic mode when I thought I had lost the bottle. I was quite relieved to find them in a pocket I hadn’t checked—no, I am not blond. I learned then and there to carry only what I need for that day and leave the remainder at home.
If you are old enough to drive and have a car available, being prepared with all the things I’ve talked about is pretty easy. I keep a spare coat, blanket, water, food, and spare doses of all my medicine in my car for emergency purposes at all times. That way, in case I didn’t plan ahead as I should have, I always have what I need to stay warm, fed, hydrated, and pain free. If you’re too young to drive and/or don’t have a car, you can use a backpack or day bag to carry all your necessities. Though it may not be convenient to carry all these things with you, it sure beats not having them when you need them.
If you’re out of school and do carry spare medication on you, I suggest you don’t have more than a day or two worth of pills on you at a time. If you carry your whole bottle with you and loose it, you’re going to have problems. I learned this lesson well. At the time, I was in my early twenties and in the habit of carrying my entire bottle of painkillers with me. One day—when on vacation and far from any doctor who knew me—I went to take my medicine and was in panic mode when I thought I had lost the bottle. I was quite relieved to find them in a pocket I hadn’t checked—no, I am not blond. I learned then and there to carry only what I need for that day and leave the remainder at home.
If you are old enough to drive and have a car available, being prepared with all the things I’ve talked about is pretty easy. I keep a spare coat, blanket, water, food, and spare doses of all my medicine in my car for emergency purposes at all times. That way, in case I didn’t plan ahead as I should have, I always have what I need to stay warm, fed, hydrated, and pain free. If you’re too young to drive and/or don’t have a car, you can use a backpack or day bag to carry all your necessities. Though it may not be convenient to carry all these things with you, it sure beats not having them when you need them.
Medical Journal
Living with Sickle Cell Anemia naturally means frequent visits to the doctor and having a multitude of tests performed throughout your life. As the years pass, it can be difficult to remember what complications happened when, and where you had various tests performed. Trust me, the older you get, the more your memory tends to get a little . . . umm . . . fuzzy; I think that’s the word I’m looking for. For this reason, I keep a personal medical journal.
In my medical journal I keep track of what doctors I’ve seen and the date I saw them. I record dates of medical procedures I’ve had done, where they were performed, and what the results were. I write down questions I want to ask my doctors the next time I see him/her and the answers I received to those questions during my visit, as well as other things discussed. A medical journal can also be used to keep track of hemoglobin levels, blood pressure, and other changes in stats over the years.
As you become older and your medical history grows, the more useful a journal will become. Writing down all the above information not only will prepare you for future appointments with your doctors, but it’ll allow you to stay informed about your medical history.
In my medical journal I keep track of what doctors I’ve seen and the date I saw them. I record dates of medical procedures I’ve had done, where they were performed, and what the results were. I write down questions I want to ask my doctors the next time I see him/her and the answers I received to those questions during my visit, as well as other things discussed. A medical journal can also be used to keep track of hemoglobin levels, blood pressure, and other changes in stats over the years.
As you become older and your medical history grows, the more useful a journal will become. Writing down all the above information not only will prepare you for future appointments with your doctors, but it’ll allow you to stay informed about your medical history.
Power of Attorney
If you’re under eighteen years old, this isn’t something you have to worry about. However, when you become a legal adult, it’s something everybody should have prepared. A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives the person of your choosing the power to make decisions for you if you’re unable. If unconscious in the hospital, for example, it gives the person you name the right to make choices about your medical care. Without this legal paperwork, there could be questions about who has that authority. You can ask your doctor or hospital for the proper forms.
As an adult it’s extremely important that the person with Power of Attorney knows what your wishes are. A DNR Order is a perfect example. A DNR Order means Do Not Resuscitate. If I were in the hospital and my heart stopped because a lightening bolt came through my window and struck me in the head, I would want the doctors to do what they could to revive me and save my life. In the event of a horrible accident, some people may wish to be put on life support while others may not.
Talk with your family members about what you would want to happen if certain things were to take place. If those vital decisions haven’t been made ahead of time, somebody you don’t know may make them for you and you may not agree with their decision. Life is unpredictable. It’s wise to prepare for the unexpected as best you can.
I know many of the concepts I’ve discussed are pretty basic, but they are valuable habits to get into. I believe one of the reasons why I’ve managed to stay out of the hospital for six years is largely due to the fact that I’ve learned to properly manage my illness. You can also avoid frequent hospitalizations by practicing these simple things in your life.
As an adult it’s extremely important that the person with Power of Attorney knows what your wishes are. A DNR Order is a perfect example. A DNR Order means Do Not Resuscitate. If I were in the hospital and my heart stopped because a lightening bolt came through my window and struck me in the head, I would want the doctors to do what they could to revive me and save my life. In the event of a horrible accident, some people may wish to be put on life support while others may not.
Talk with your family members about what you would want to happen if certain things were to take place. If those vital decisions haven’t been made ahead of time, somebody you don’t know may make them for you and you may not agree with their decision. Life is unpredictable. It’s wise to prepare for the unexpected as best you can.
I know many of the concepts I’ve discussed are pretty basic, but they are valuable habits to get into. I believe one of the reasons why I’ve managed to stay out of the hospital for six years is largely due to the fact that I’ve learned to properly manage my illness. You can also avoid frequent hospitalizations by practicing these simple things in your life.
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