The Chronic Illness Game Plan – How to Stay Prepared

Here in Louisiana, we’re all gearing up for hurricane season. After having been through some of the worst storms, the people around here have learned how to prepare. Even though it’s only for a season, you don’t take any chances.

Living with a chronic illness, however, is like living through hurricane season all year round. It’s unpredictable. It’s destructive. Episodes can come out of nowhere, and you never know which direction they will take. But like with a storm, you can only learn to be prepared.

Having a plan in place will make everything go a lot smoother not only for you, but for everyone involved in the path of your storm.

It may take time to figure out what routine works best for your situation, but I’ve come up with a few good ideas to start with that have proven effective for me in my journey with chronic illness.

1.) Have a game plan

It is very important that someone else knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Remember, you are preparing for the worst, and that could mean loss of consciousness or inability to communicate.

It is also comforting to others to know where you stand so that they know how they can prepare.

For this, I use stages:

Stage One – I am not feeling good. I’ve taken my medicine, so I will see how it goes. Alert loved ones to be on stand by.

Stage Two – I’m still not feeling good/ feeling worse. I’m going to take something stronger, so I need someone with me and/or my child. Alert doctors.

Stage Three – Nothing is working. I need to go to the hospital.

By using these stages as a gauge, we are more able to keep the situation under control. My husband doesn’t have to worry about a random call from the hospital because he was kept informed from the beginning. Communication is key to make sure you have the care that you need.

2.) Have a hospital bag packed at all times.

When you are sick or in pain, the last thing you feel like doing is thinking or moving around. Having items already packed saves you loads of trouble.

If you can’t keep a bag packed at all times, at least have a list written down of everything that would need to be packed if an emergency came up and where those items are located. This would be especially helpful if someone else may need to pack your bag for you.

You can check out what I like to pack in my hospital bag here!

3.) Label medications

You might not always remember the medication by it’s generic name. Write on the bottle exactly what that medication is and what it’s taken for. This also comes in handy if you’re too sick or in too much pain to move and need someone else to grab your medication for you.

4.) Have an updated list of the doctor’s orders written up at all times

There’s no denying that living with a chronic illness can often make you feel like a guinea pig. If you’re constantly trying out different medications, things can easily get confusing.

In your medicine cabinet, keep a list of the doctor’s most recent orders. Write down what medications you are supposed to be taking at what time. Write what can be used as needed and what is acceptable to combine versus what could have serious interactions.

Again, this is not only helpful for you but helpful for anyone who may be administering your medications. 

5.) Prepare for the children

Just because life may seem chaotic, doesn’t mean your kids have to be thrown out of wack, too.

You can still take part in caring for your children by helping those that help you. Keep a list of your child’s daily routines. Write down the approximate times that they might expect to eat or sleep or play. Kids feel secure in knowing what to expect. Routines promote that security.

For the babies, we actually kept a notebook that would travel anywhere the baby went. This notebook had the times of feedings, naps, and poops. It not only helped in keeping a routine at all times, but it helped us and our sitters know what was normal and what wasn’t.

Obviously for older kids, things become more laxed, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep some sort of calendar that might include sports practice or school activities. If your kids seem to get away with more when not under your supervision, have a rule book handy for the sitter of what’s allowed and what isn’t.

Just keep everything in one place where anyone can find it.

6.) Have a list of phone numbers/ emergency numbers of relatives, doctors, and backups

Of course you can issue everyone’s phone numbers to everyone who may be involved in your game plan, but it never hurts to still keep that classic emergency list on the fridge.

Keep a list of your doctor’s phone numbers, both on the fridge and in your wallet. You might also want some names and numbers for who would be a good backup if your doctor is out that day.

7.) Have bills paid in advance or automatically

Trust me, this is the last thing on your mind when you’re not feeling good, and things can quickly go past the due date. One way or another, get it knocked out, even if you have to pass the duty on to someone else.

8.) Meal plan

People are usually so generous to drop off meals when you have a baby or a medical injury. But when you live with a chronic illness, those gifts can quickly wane.

Oftentimes, chronic illness has good days and bad, and I’m sure you already know to take advantage of those good days.

If you find yourself running out of food, use those good days to stock up and cook away. Make several meals in one day if you have to and freeze what you can.

You don’t have to live off of quick and easy TV dinners or canned foods. In fact, you shouldn’t. Just make the most of what you can by making the most out of what you have.

I also like to keep a magnetic calendar on the fridge of what dates meals were prepared. This helps myself and others know what leftovers are still safe to eat.

9.) Buy in bulk

Going to the grocery can be a difficult task. Even ordering groceries to pick up can be difficult if you don’t know how you will be feeling by that hour of the day. I’m sure there are some products you know you will always need. For me, it’s paper towels and milk.  So when you get that chance to get groceries, get all that you can. Fewer trips tend to save more money anyway.

Stock up on supplies that you know won’t go bad and lessen your worry about running out when you need things the most.

10.) Keep medical necessities within easy access

Odds are, your bad days are spent either in bed or on the couch. You might even do both to switch up the scenery and make things feel like they’re getting better. But the point is, you don’t feel like doing anything, and that includes caring for yourself.

Try to make this part easier by keeping all of your medical necessities in one place. It would be extra helpful to keep them in a basket that you can just grab and go with.

This basket might include medications, ice packs, heating pads, cold rags, water, or snacks. Keep your necessities at hand.

Do your best. Prepare for the worst. And trust God to bring the victory. – Proverbs 21:31

I hope these tips can help you as much as they help me. Remember this is all a learning experience, and eventually you will be able to incorporate what works best for you and your team. Praying for you always!