Mobility is important because it affects your sense of control and independence. Whatever your circumstances – whether you are in bed or using a wheelchair much of the time or simply not as energetic as usual – you need the right level of support to ensure a good level of comfort and the ability to do as much as you reasonably want to for yourself.
If you experience more difficulty than usual getting around the house you might consider making up a temporary ‘bedroom’ downstairs, as climbing stairs uses a lot of energy. If your bathroom is upstairs, then this may be less practical although you may be able to borrow equipment to solve this problem. The district nurse at your doctor’s surgery will be able to advise you, perhaps in conjunction with an occupational therapist (who will know about specialist equipment or useful aids to make practical tasks easier for you).
There may be other equipment or small changes at home which would make a big difference to you. An adapted lavatory seat, a special cushion to sit on, the installation of handles to help you out of the bath, a new stair-rail or a walking frame to give you extra confidence are some examples. These may all be temporary measures, but can help you to feel less physically confined.
Experiencing reduced levels of energy is very common, and it will make a big difference if you are able – and willing – to rely on others more than usual. Getting up to fetch a book or make a cup of tea or prepare a snack may be more difficult than before, and although you may hate to feel like an ‘invalid’, it is often a relatively short-term problem. This does not mean that others will be constantly running around for you, nor that you should worry about ‘being a burden’ to them. Remember that you are undertaking this journey through your treatment together, and by working together you can vastly improve the quality of your life. Small measures can make a big difference.
Driving may be another activity you have always taken for granted. It is obviously foolish to drive if you are not fit to do so, and you also may need to consider the implications of any physical limitations caused by your cancer on your motor insurance. This may make no difference at all, but again, it would be foolish to be caught out.
If driving is not possible for you for a while, you may need to arrange for someone else to be available to drive you to your hospital appointments. Taxis or public transport may be a possibility for you, but you are likely to find that friends or family members are more than happy to save you the money or the time and trouble by driving you. Don’t be afraid to ask! After all, you’d do the same for them.
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