Liver Cancer

Taking on the role of caregiver for a person who has HCC requires a great deal of strength, both physically and emotionally, and especially if the disease becomes advanced. Although it may be difficult, remember that caring for your loved one will make a significant difference in their quality of life. Following are some of the ways you can help.

Get the “OK” to receive medical information. Without this, you will not be authorized to communicate with the health care team, access medical information, renew prescriptions and more. Make it a priority to ask the health care team about how to make this happen. 

Meet the care team. Introduce yourself and ask for contact information for members you might need to reach out to, such as the doctor, nurse navigator and nutritionist. Find out how they prefer to be contacted (phone call, email, text or health care portal). 

Go to medical appointments. The amount of information a patient is expected to absorb may be overwhelming. Hearing information from the care team firsthand will relieve the responsibility from your loved one, and it will help you provide better care, whether it involves managing side effects, learning test results or preparing for a procedure. Ask questions, take notes or record the appointment on your phone, and provide emotional support. 

Give medication safely. Taking the correct medication at the right time and in the right amount is essential for treatment to work as it is intended. To avoid giving too much or not enough, it helps to write it down. Download a medication tracking form at PatientResource.com/Medication_Journal 

Watch for and manage side effects. Ask the care team about the side effects and symptoms to watch for. Track when they happen, how often and if anything makes them better. Providing as many details as you can to the care team will help them better offer relief. Ask about symptoms that may require urgent assistance so you can be prepared. Download a tracking form at PatientResource.com/Tracker. 

Set up support systems. Help your loved one find support from other people managing HCC, then look for support for yourself. You each need your own safe space for asking questions, sharing your feelings, etc. Use the resources in this guide to find local and online cancer support groups. Many have peer-to-peer counseling and groups for caregivers. 

Champion a healthy lifestyle. Shop for and make healthy meals for your loved one. The nutritionist on the care team is an excellent resource. Encourage exercising, getting enough sleep and making and keeping all preventive medical appointments. It is easier to make these changes with a partner, and taking this good advice will benefit you, too.