Getting into a treatment routine

Start with what already works

Think through your daily routine and identify a few habits that you always do at the same time every day. Here are some common examples: 

• Reading the news 
• Doing your makeup
• Brushing your teeth
• Walking the dog
• An existing medicine routine you could align with your DVTDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein. treatment, whether it is your cancerA term for diseases in which cells grow abnormally with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph system. medication or vitamins you already take every day. 

If you are taking tablets it may be as simple as building a process to remember to take the tablets as part of your daily routine. If you are administering an injection you may need to plan a little more carefully.After you’ve identified your habits, prioritise the ones that are most ideal for a treatment routine, where perhaps the environment is calm and you can focus. It is important to create a calm environment and pleasant treatment routine, especially if you are afraid of needles.

Here are a few practical ideas that work for some

• Ask a family member, colleague or friend to remind you during the first few days of treatment – ensure both of you set an alarm at the same time and ask them to call and be sure you remembered.
• Set your mobile alarm to a new and distinct song or ring tone that can be easily associated with taking your medicine.
• Add reminder notes to prominent places in your home. You can try changing the message, the size of the note and the colour so that it always grabs your attention.
• Keep some of your medicine in various locations, like at the office or in your purse or briefcase. If you happen to forget, then you will have a backup available. Important note: Always check your medicine’s storage requirements. Some prescription medicines should not be stored in the car for example, where the temperature can affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
• Consider downloading an app that not only reminds you, but also helps you keep track of the fact that you did remember to take your medicine.
• Consider any other type of treatment planner e.g. drawing a chart on your bathroom mirror.  
  

Interested to know more? Watch our video about treatment of blood clots in cancerA term for diseases in which cells grow abnormally with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph system. patients