*I would like to introduce Tory Zellick, an amazing young woman that I have had the privillage to know over the last few years. Tory’s transition into adulthood took place while caring for her mother during her six-and-a-half year battle with breast cancer. Although her mother eventually lost her fight to cancer, Tory spends her time maintaining a blog at All Things Caregiver, sharing helpful advice from her personal experiences throughout her caregiving journey. Tory’s story is close to my heart as I also experienced losing my mother to breast cancer and I am so proud that Tory has channeled her experience into something that will truly benefit others in s similar situation. Tory is also the author of the soon to be released Medical Day Planner, available on Amazon and although this sort of situation is not often a topic on Paleo blogs, the reality is, caring for ill loved ones is an unfortuate truth for many people and Tory offers her guidance that only comes from experience through this planner. Now, here’s more from Tory:
The Medical Day Planner: The Organizational Guide to Navigating the Medical Maze was designed out of necessity after six and a half years of caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in her early forties. At the age of eighteen, I found myself as one of over fifty million unpaid caregivers in America; one of fifty million individuals who were caring for a family member or a friend, with no formal training and no background in the field of caregiving. I was young, grieving and confused. I certainly had no idea what type of information to track, or where to begin.
The Medical Day Planner is designed to be a helpful tool and guide for those who have taken on the role of caregiver, or those healthy enough to care for themselves. The Medical Day Planner is a universal tool and the perfect solution for recording vital medical information for patients of any age with any ailment, be it a mental disorder, stroke, cancer or traumatic brain injury. This portable organizer helps the patient, or caregiver, conveniently track doctor’s information, medication history, procedure history, tests and scans, treatments and hospitalizations as well as keeping the individual on schedule with the 52-week day planner.
Not only will the Medical Day Planner keep you organized and allow you to be proactive through the treatment process, it is full of helpful tips on making this journey easier. Hints include different medical insurance options, having proper documentation in line regarding life sustaining care and the most important tips of all: how the caregiver can continue to care for themselves as well as the patient.
Disease, disorders and disabilities can be an overwhelming part of life. For those of us who have taken our well-being into our own hands by changing our eating patterns and lifestyle, we have chosen to live a preventative lifestyle! Unfortunately, incidences still occur and many of us are still touched by disease through friends and family.
I had no idea where to begin on my journey, however, I know The Medical Day Planner will help you, or your loved ones, be prepared and proactive on your journey.
*For other helpful tips about caregiving, check out Tory’s blog at All Things Caregiver and pre-order the planner here at Amazon.
Wow – how timely. My RSS showed just 1 update after lunch and it was this post. I just found out this morning that my sister was confirmed stage 4 breast cancer spread to her bones. She is 46 years old. Going to get the planner via amazon – thanks.
My thoughts are with you and your family Jim.
I have saved the link – we just lost an uncle after protracted illness…he was the oldest of 4.
Sara,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Lengthy illness can be difficult on the whole family.
Thanks for this post. I’m 28 years old and taking care of my dad that suffers from mental illness for a couple of years know. Doing the best I can, but it’s really difficult sometimes. Hope to get some good tips from your website.
Disease is difficult to cope with at any age, particularly when you are so young. I’m sure your dad is thankful for all you do. Hang in there!
Thanks Tory. You were also very young, when your mom got sick. My mom past away when I was 17 years old and at that age it was even harder to have to deal with it, then now ten years later. I think that it’s really great that you wrote a book about it. If it will be available her in the Netherlands, i will try to get a copy.
Thank you for sharing this Sarah and thank you Tory for sharing everything you learned during your “battle”. Many people get caught up in the Medical Maze which causes such added stress and takes away from us being able to spend our emotional energy on and with our loved ones. Your book allows that question “where do i begin?” to be answered.
I am a geriatric nurse. This idea is AWESOME! I’m going to buy one to peruse and decide if it’s something I should suggest to my patient’s families.
Stacey,
Thank you for the support! It is my hope to be able to inform medical staff that a book/product like this now exists, so they have a helpful tool from the very beginning.
Tory – where did you get that adorable hat? Love it!
Jen,
I am also co-owner of Cave Girl Cafe, a paleo-themed website. The paleo patches are one of our products.
I agree that this book is fabulous and that Tory is an amazing woman, a dynamo. I learned some things about Powers of Attorney just reading the very first tab of Patient Information in the book. It’s a keeper for sure. xx