Caregiving Resources
Resources for Family Caregivers of Patients Affected by Appendix Cancer, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei and all Peritoneal Surface Malignancies
Whether you are a spouse, relative or family friend, we hope these resources will help you in your quest to provide optimal caregiving to your loved one!
On this page and throughout this website, you will find caregiving resources for families affected by appendix, colon, colorectal and gastric cancers, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei and all Peritoneal Surface Malignancies.
Caregiver Tips!
Linda is an experienced caregiver, and shares helpful suggestions in this ten minute video!
CURE Magazine Free Online!
Supportive and Palliative Care for Families
Caregiver Burnout
Caregiving for Families
Caregiver of the Week!
Chemotherapy Reimbursement
Compassionate care programs to assist in payment for chemo and other medications
Medication assistance payment programs
Compassionate Care Assistance for Chemotherapy and other Prescriptions
Uninsured/underinsured patients can access the sites noted above to apply for Compassionate Care Assistance to help cover the cost of chemotherapy and other medications.
How to Apply
Click on the “patient assistance program” section of www.needymeds.org, to locate individual chemotherapies. Follow the application process instructions for your particular medication(s.) There are many different requirements; some pharmaceutical companies require the physician to register the patient, but most applications can be downloaded by the patient.
Reimbursement of Costs
Some pharmaceutical companies reimburse the patient directly. Other pharma companies, send a supply of the necessary chemo drugs directly to the oncologist so that the patient’s account can then be reimbursed. In these programs the patient pays up front and will receive reimbursement after the oncologist receives the drugs from the pharmaceutical company.
Meet "Pal Caregiver" Bob!
After Bob's wife recuperated from CRS and HIPEC, he volunteered to answer questions for other Pal Caregivers whose spouses and family members are preparing for or recuperating from medical treatment!
Join the PMP Pals' Network so that Bob can begin to answer questions for your family today!
Share the Care
Share the Care website
Share the Care teaches families and friends how to coordinate their resources and talents to work together to assist a loved one affected by a medical need or aging.
Instead of saying "Call me if you need anything!" friends and family can learn how to provide meaningful assistance to the patient and to the primary family caregiver, who may be at risk for "burn out."
Creature Comforts: helpful caregiving "tools"
Here are resources that may be helpful during the recuperation process following surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Medic Alert Emergency Medical Information Service
Telephone Toll Free 1.888. 633.4298
Address: 2323 Colorado Ave, Turlock CA 95382
Comfort Shield Personal Cleansing Products
Comfort Shield Personal Cleansing Products Disposable Washcloths and Wipes
Telephone, toll free 1 877 9 COMFORT
Post Operative Clothing: Here's a list of what to wear comfortably, post op!
Jackson Pratt Drains: Surgi Shorts provide a helpful unisex undergarment for JP drain wearers
Home Delivery Incontinence Supplies
Tempur Pedic Pillows
Caregiving: Is Your Spouse in Denial About Cancer?
Dental Care
Depression: Tips for Overcoming Depression for Caregivers
Tips for Preventing "caregiver burn out!"
Source: Web MD, Oct 2010
Link between tumors and depression
Pals share their suggestions for overcoming depression!
Click here to read articles about overcoming the "post surgical blues!"
Is your spouse "grumpy" following surgery?
Source: PMP Pals' Network
"Dry Mouth" Remedies
Does your loved one experience "dry mouth" from chemotherapy or other medical treatment? Biotene may be the solution!
Biotene product relieve symptoms
Biotene product relieve symptoms
Elder Depot
Family Healthcare History
Family Leave and Medical Act (FMLA)
The Family Leave and Medical Act provides employees and family caregivers with up to twelve weeks of unpaid medical leave annually.
The Family Leave and Medical Act website provides specific eligibility requirements
Families Share Tips for Coping with Cancer!
Exercise
Fistulas
Free Caregiving Booklets
"Caring for the Patient with Cancer"
Phone: 1.800.ACS.2345
Website: http://www.cancer.org
FREE issue of CURE Magazine online
FREE access to AARP online bulletin!
Phone: 1.800.ACS.2345
Website: http://www.cancer.org
FREE issue of CURE Magazine online
FREE access to AARP online bulletin!
Frequently Asked Questions
Gastrectomies
Government Benefits
Hair Loss
Help prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy by using the "Penguin" Cold Cap!
Hair wraps, wigs, cosmetics for chemo patients!
Hair wraps, wigs, cosmetics for chemo patients!
Hats for Hair Loss
Health Insurance
Hiring Home Health Care After Hospitalization
How to Select a Surgeon
Meet "Pal Caregiver" Ron!
Ron is an RN who is also an appendix cancer caregiver for his own father!
Become a "Pal" and communicate with Ron!
Hospice Care Planning
Hospice
Infection Prevention at Home and in the Hospital
Here's what family caregivers need to know about MRSA, C Diff and more!
Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA
Source: Maryn McKenna May 2010
"Hospital Scrubs are a Germy, Deadly Mess" by Betsy McCaughey
Source: Wall Street Journal and the Hudson Institute,2008
Hospital Hazards of Clostridium Difficile
Source: AARP
MRSA Prevention Guidelines
Source: CDC
"Finding a Way to Ask Doctors Tough Questions" (ie washing their hands) by Laura Landro
Source: Wall Street Journal, March, 2009
"Superbugs Strike Sickest Patients"
Source: Wall Street Journal, 2008
Infection Prevention in Hospitals
Source: PMP Pals' Network, 2010
VAC Wound Vac
Source: KCI
Inspiration
Our Pal, Robert Rauch, has written two inspirational and encouraging books about his battle with appendix cancer! Robert shares his warm humor in his series of Spiritual Signs and Lessons of a Cancer Survivor books.
These books are especially encouraging to read during recuperation, either at the hospital or at home! Caregivers will want to share these books with their loved ones!
Preview the two volumes of Spiritual Signs and Lessons of a Cancer Survivor and other helpful publications on our Recommended Reading list!
These books are especially encouraging to read during recuperation, either at the hospital or at home! Caregivers will want to share these books with their loved ones!
Preview the two volumes of Spiritual Signs and Lessons of a Cancer Survivor and other helpful publications on our Recommended Reading list!
Meet "Pal Caregiver" Linda!
Linda has more than a decade of experience in being a caregiver to her husband!
Join the PMP Pals' Network and communicate with Linda via phone, email or through a personal visit!
View Linda's video sharing caregiving tips!
Join the PMP Pals' Network and communicate with Linda via phone, email or through a personal visit!
View Linda's video sharing caregiving tips!
Legal Assistance for Seniors
Lodging for Patients and Caregivers near Hospitals
Lodging, services and amenities for patients near the USC Norris campus, Los Angeles
Lodging, services and amenities for patients near the USCD Thornton Medical Center in La Jolla CA (includes lodging options for active and retired military patients and their families.)
Lodging for active and retired military, including patients and their families
Lodging, services and amenities for patients and caregivers near MD Anderson, Houston, TX
UPMC Patient Family Services includes lodging for UPMC Shadyside, Pgh PA
Love and Laughter
MediCare Benefits
Medicare
Medicare Appeals Process
Concise, step by step instructions for appealing a denial are provided in the December 2008 issue of the Phoenix Magazine pages 22-24.
Help with payment of MediCare premiums Part A and B
Medicare benefits (of help to family caregivers)
Source: US Government
Nutrition
Seeking tips on helping a patient to re gain weight after surgery?
Need suggestions for gastrectomy and ostomy diets?
Here's info for a variety of specific dietary and nutritional needs!
Meet Caregiver Pal Ginny!
Ginny has been a member of the PMP Pals' Network for a decade and has many helpful caregiving tips to share!
Join the PMP Pals' Network and communicate with Ginny via telephone, email or a personal visit!
Read Ginny's suggestions for other family caregivers!
Join the PMP Pals' Network and communicate with Ginny via telephone, email or a personal visit!
Read Ginny's suggestions for other family caregivers!
Obstructions
Ostomy Care
Pain Management
Dr Larry Lachman teaches techniques for pain management.
Meet "Caregiver Pal" Betsy!
Betsy is both an RN and a family caregiver too!
Join the PMP Pals' Network and communicate with Betsy via telephone, email or a personal visit!
Preparing for Surgery
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
Recuperating from Surgery
Setting Limits with Friends and Family
Are you, and the patient you are caring for, feeling overwhelmed when family and friends come to visit at the hospital or at home?
Family caregivers share their tips for setting limits with well meaning family and friends!
Family caregivers share their tips for setting limits with well meaning family and friends!
Sleep: insomnia remedies for caregivers and patients
Sleep for Success!
Source: Dr James B Maas
Yoga May Help Improve Sleep for Cancer Patients
Source: Health.com May 2010
Depression, Pain and Fatigue May Contribute to Sleep Disturbances in Cancer Patients
Source: Reuters 2009
Insomnia remedies: Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Source: Mayo Clinic
Sex and Intimacy
Shower Supplies
Caregivers, does your loved one need help keeping bandages and incisions dry and protected when showering?
The Aqua Guard may be the solution!
The Aqua Guard may be the solution!
Stress Reduction
Stress Reduction
Dr Larry Lachman instructs the "Pals" in reducing the stress of diagnosis and treatment.
Filmed at the annual international PMP Pals' Network Conference in Monterey, CA, USA
Filmed at the annual international PMP Pals' Network Conference in Monterey, CA, USA
Surgeons and Specialists
Transportation: Airlines
Transportation Security Administration Guidelines for the Medically Disabled
Ph: Toll free 1.800 289 9673
Patient Transportation Guidelines (pdf)
Tips for Traveling with DisabilitiesSouthwest Airlines Guidelines for Special Needs/Medical
Department of Transportation fact sheets - The rights of people with disabilities at airports and on airplanes
Department of Transportation
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
US Dept. of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75
Washington, DC 20590
Email to airconsumer@ost.gov
MD Anderson Patient Travel Services
Phone Toll free: 1.888.848.9992 Mercy Medical Airlift
Free and Low Cost Air Transportation for Patients and Family Caregivers
Air Charity Network (ACN)
Air Care Lifeflight Systems
Air Ambulance Service
Angel Flights NE: Free air transport for cancer patients
Air Transportation for Cancer Patients - Corporate Angels
Air Transportation Alternatives - PatientTravel.orgAmerican Airlines SkyCare Patient Assistance Program - This program includes inflight nursing assistance for ambulatory patients. Patients pay the cost of their own ticket, the nurse's ticket and nursing care. Call Toll Free: 1.800.433.7300
United Airlines provides wheelchair assistance
United Airlines baggage policies
Ph: Toll free 1.800 289 9673
Patient Transportation Guidelines (pdf)
Tips for Traveling with DisabilitiesSouthwest Airlines Guidelines for Special Needs/Medical
Department of Transportation fact sheets - The rights of people with disabilities at airports and on airplanes
Department of Transportation
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
US Dept. of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75
Washington, DC 20590
Email to airconsumer@ost.gov
MD Anderson Patient Travel Services
Phone Toll free: 1.888.848.9992 Mercy Medical Airlift
Free and Low Cost Air Transportation for Patients and Family Caregivers
Air Charity Network (ACN)
Air Care Lifeflight Systems
Air Ambulance Service
Angel Flights NE: Free air transport for cancer patients
Air Transportation for Cancer Patients - Corporate Angels
Air Transportation Alternatives - PatientTravel.orgAmerican Airlines SkyCare Patient Assistance Program - This program includes inflight nursing assistance for ambulatory patients. Patients pay the cost of their own ticket, the nurse's ticket and nursing care. Call Toll Free: 1.800.433.7300
United Airlines provides wheelchair assistance
United Airlines baggage policies
What cancer patients want you to know!
"You look great! And other lies!"
Source: Author Bruce Feiler, NYT, 06.10.11
Author and cancer survivor, Bruce Feiler, shares his thoughts
about offering "help" to patients and their family members...
insightful, thought provoking and humorous.
If you care about some diagnosed with cancer, read this!
Wound Vac
Planning end-of-choices
Five Wishes
Learn how to tell your family and physicians about your choices for end of life care, and more, regardless of your age
Smart Cremation
Providing earth friendly and economical options
Learn how to tell your family and physicians about your choices for end of life care, and more, regardless of your age
Smart Cremation
Providing earth friendly and economical options
The PMP Pals' Network supports the conservation of fuel and paper!
Thank you to our Pals, Albert & Gloria Benson, from the USA, for sponsoring this page!
Visitors to www.pmppals.org are encouraged to discuss publications and information contained herein with their licensed, professional healthcare providers. The information provided on www.pmppals.org is not intended as a replacement for licensed, professional medical or legal advice.
Please respect your fellow patients and caregivers by not copying or cutting and pasting any pages from this website onto yours.
The PMP Pals Network is a volunteer patient advocacy program. We support the services that we provide, including this web page, as volunteers and through subscriptions to our publications.
We neither solicit nor receive funds from pharmaceutical companies or healthcare providers, thus maintaining our dedication to serving as patient advocates.
Individuals or organizations who plagiarize this copyrighted website will be prosecuted.
Copyright 2012 by PMP Pals' Network/All rights reserved.
The PMP Pals' Network updates our website 364 days per year with a wide variety of new information to keep you informed about maintaining optimal health!
Whether you seek information about research studies, health insurance, personal mentoring, diet and exercise, new treatment options, and so much more, the PMP Pals' Network is your "go to" place for information!
This page last updated on 01.12.26
Whether you seek information about research studies, health insurance, personal mentoring, diet and exercise, new treatment options, and so much more, the PMP Pals' Network is your "go to" place for information!
This page last updated on 01.12.26
