In the breast cancer journey there is always a "day before." There is the day before surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy). There may also be a day before the first chemo treatment or the day before the first radiation therapy. Men can be of great help to their wives on these "before-mentioned" times.
For example, the day before surgery a guy can make certain that his wife has plenty of rest, that she proceeds with all of her prep work, that she doesn't eat past the prescribed fasting timeline. He can also guard her time by not allowing unexpected guests to consume energies or to take her off task. He can also take care of the overnight packing (including his own change of clothing for--and he should--the stay in the hospital).
The day before, he can also make any necessary arrangements with insurance (pre-registration, for example) and make certain he knows where to park at the hospital and where his wife will check-in. Likewise, it never hurts to leave information with relatives . . . and if there are younger children in the home, make those final plans with babysitters or grandparents.
Finally, one important ingredient is this: carve out an hour or so for you and your wife to have some special time together. This will be very comforting to her and this time will also energize her and help her to focus her energies on the surgery. Many couples may also want to pray together, and this day before can also be a special time to enjoy a favorite past-time.
Don't let this day before slip away without making those necessary preparations. This time is never wasted.
~Todd Outcalt
For example, the day before surgery a guy can make certain that his wife has plenty of rest, that she proceeds with all of her prep work, that she doesn't eat past the prescribed fasting timeline. He can also guard her time by not allowing unexpected guests to consume energies or to take her off task. He can also take care of the overnight packing (including his own change of clothing for--and he should--the stay in the hospital).
The day before, he can also make any necessary arrangements with insurance (pre-registration, for example) and make certain he knows where to park at the hospital and where his wife will check-in. Likewise, it never hurts to leave information with relatives . . . and if there are younger children in the home, make those final plans with babysitters or grandparents.
Finally, one important ingredient is this: carve out an hour or so for you and your wife to have some special time together. This will be very comforting to her and this time will also energize her and help her to focus her energies on the surgery. Many couples may also want to pray together, and this day before can also be a special time to enjoy a favorite past-time.
Don't let this day before slip away without making those necessary preparations. This time is never wasted.
~Todd Outcalt
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