looking for support for my sister's family
Hello there,
My name is Oanh Bui and I am writing to ask if you are aware of any resources to support my brother-in-law who just got the diagnosis of squamus cell carcinoma cancer stage 4A. He lives in GA and will receive a surgery to remove tumor on 7/21, then follow up with chemotherapy and also radiation. However, my sister and my brother-in-law does not have any network of support nor knowing how the system works. I am from Boston and can only spend a week with them trying to navigate the system of support here but hardly able to locate any. Have been contacting the social worker at Emory but not able to locate much.
Wonder if you know of any resources in the GA area that can support my sister with transportation, accomodation, cooking and parenting a bit. She needs emotional support to keep her strong to deal with the treatment for her husband and support him to get through the unbearable pain on daily basis.She needs local support prior to the surgery, during the inpatient care and also post surgery. There is so much to worry about and I don't know where to start. i am trying to see if I can work with the cancer team for a care plan but at this time, they can't even do anything until my brother is referred to the oncology department as he will be cared for the team at ENT Department prior to the oncology Department. i am so torn.
Any resources and any basic guidelines to support my sister and my brother in law will be greatly appreciative.
Oanh Bui
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HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head and Neck Cancers group.
I just watched a video with the actor from Greys Anatomy Patrick Dempsey. He started a center in Maine. Maybe google supportive centers or volunteers in their area. Best wishes..kim
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1 ReactionOanh Bui,
The social worker should be able to help you with this. Here's a list of resources to get you started:
Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) - a group of national organizations that provide financial assistance. There's a CFAC searchable data base.
CancerCare has a list of financial assistance programs (800-813-4673).
American Cancer Society (ACS) can provide you with a list of local programs. They'll include lodging programs like Hope Lodge. There's one in Atlanta, GA.
Angel Flight and Road to Recovery can provide free rides or flights to places for treatment.
National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) can provide information about resources.
Patient Navigator Program is part of the ACS and can give you a patient navigator, an excellent resource for helping with all aspects of cancer care. They provide support, educate about treatment, side effects, etc.
Cancer Support Community can help find financial assistance and support.
NCI (National Cancer Institute) can help find resources and support to help caregiver's cope.
There are more, but these are the major ones.
Carol
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2 ReactionsThank you Carol.
i did check with Emory and meet with the social worker but seemed that we might be to access to more once he was referred to oncology. Currently he is considered as a patient at ENT department and not much they can do anything for us until after the surgery.
I have been asking to see if Emory has patient navigator or care coordinator who can help us with coordinating care but unfortunately, Emory does not seem to have this either.
Still trying to locate a one main contact person but I am not able to yet.
I am so torn!
Oanh
Oanh,
Check the Patient Navigator Program out. They sound like they'll provide one not affiliated with the hospital. Also, your health insurance company should be providing you with a case manager. When the care of a patient, especially a cancer patient, becomes involved a case manager is used by the insurance company to keep costs down, encourage proactive rather than reactive care, explain what's going on, etc. That person is managing the case, literally.
Carol
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1 ReactionCheck out cancer support centers. I use the one in Columbus Ohio 3x a week. They provide everything you asked about and it's all free. They are the largest provider of those services in the world. Tom
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