© Copyright Oct 2016 Storma Sire
Creating Your Own Sickle Cell Self Care Program
A self care program can be a life saver when your not feeling well. During a crisis we can get distracted by the pain and not do the things that need to get done for our treatment and recovery. If we have all the information printed out we do not have to run around and search for phone numbers - everything is in one binder, book, or folder ready to go, so we do not have to think about things other then taking our meds on time and getting to emergency if needed. Don't forget to bring your self care program to the hospital with you. Here are some suggestions on making your own Self Care Program to use when you are unwell:
A self care program can be a life saver when your not feeling well. During a crisis we can get distracted by the pain and not do the things that need to get done for our treatment and recovery. If we have all the information printed out we do not have to run around and search for phone numbers - everything is in one binder, book, or folder ready to go, so we do not have to think about things other then taking our meds on time and getting to emergency if needed. Don't forget to bring your self care program to the hospital with you. Here are some suggestions on making your own Self Care Program to use when you are unwell:
- Important phone numbers (family, friends, doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, taxi cabs, etc)
- A list of your medications / medication programs (ie. what time medications are to be taken; what to take or do if the Sickle Cell crisis escalates).
- Add a list of foods and supplements that comfort, heal and nourish you.
- Add a list of music, movies, books, and other activities that relax and comfort you.
- Add a list of things you can do when a crisis / attack is about to start.
- Add a list of things that trigger your Sickle Cell crisis / attacks.
- Have an area in your self care program to journal your symptoms and experiences.
- It is sometimes nice to have a small box of things that make you smile or make you happy (ie. warm fuzzy socks, Spiderman band-aids, aromatherapy, a favorite keepsake, sentimental photos, etc).
