How to manage breast cancer & Parkinson’s disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

My aunt, 71 years old, is a breast cancer survivor but is now struggling with Parkinson's disease. Her hands shake so severely that she can’t even sign hospital forms. We live in a remote village, and traveling four hours to the cancer center for regular check-ups has become impossible. She gets extremely exhausted and confused during the journey, and last time, she fell at the bus stop. The local doctors aren’t familiar with her cancer history.

How can we manage her follow-ups? Is there any way to coordinate care between her Parkinson’s disease doctor and cancer specialist?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I understand your concerns about your aunt's health and the challenges you are facing in managing her follow-ups. Given her complex medical history and Parkinson's disease symptoms, it is essential to explore alternative solutions.

Telemedicine Options:

Virtual consultations: Many cancer centers and hospitals offer telemedicine services. Explore this option to reduce the travel burden and ensure your aunt receives timely check-ups.
Video conferencing: Arrange video calls between her parkinson’s disease doctor, cancer specialist, and local doctors to facilitate communication and coordination.

Coordinated care:

Care coordinator: Request a care coordinator or nurse navigator at the cancer center to help facilitate communication between healthcare providers and manage her care.
Shared medical records: Ensure that all healthcare providers have access to your aunt's medical records, including her cancer history and parkinson’s disease treatment plans.

Local support:

Local support groups: Look for local support groups or organizations that assist with transportation, medical appointments, and daily care.
Home healthcare services: Explore home healthcare services that can provide medical care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy in the comfort of her own home.

For further management, I would need more detailed information on her clinical history and ongoing medications.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.