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Taking control of cancer diagnosis helps recovery
(by Lauri Gross - October 17, 2012)
Taking control of cancer diagnosis helps recovery
By LAURI GROSS
Julie Grimm knows something about creating order from chaos. In 2005, she underwent surgery for a brain tumor and in 2008 was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, an axillary node dissection and six rounds of chemotherapy, she had learned a great deal about facing critical illness.
“I began designing a system for myself to track the endless information, appointments and treatment options that came my way,” said Mrs. Grimm, whose father, Dick Hollington, is the mayor of Hunting Valley. “I needed to be prepared for the decisions, procedures and emotions I had to face every day. The more organized I became, the more in control I felt.”
Mrs. Grimm realized that what she had created to help herself stay organized could be hugely beneficial to others in their fight against breast cancer. Eventually her personal organization tool became the Ready for Recovery cancer planner. She used her design background, did a lot of homework and met with many professionals to ensure she was providing thorough, accurate and supportive information for each stage of treatment.
“I created the Ready for Recovery cancer planner as a comprehensive and supportive tool to walk patients through the entire process from initial diagnosis to recovery, no matter what their treatment plan,” she said.
Patients love that the cancer planner helps them know what to expect and how to organize everything. Some even refer to the tool as a friend or a security blanket. They also appreciate the calming, attractive design and colors and the sense of comfort and empowerment it provides.
“The planner was in-tentionally designed to be paper-based, not digital or electronic. The tactile experience of holding it and writing or drawing in it helps feed a patient’s senses,” Mrs. Grimm said.
The planner provides a road map with tips for coping physically, emotionally and spiritually. It provides one place to track everything from diagnosis to treatment protocols, medications, side-effects and more. It also minimizes confusion and frustration by keeping key information at the user’s fingertips no matter what their state of mind. It makes coordinated communication easy among patients and caregivers so that medications are dispensed as directed and medical appointments and family commitments are all met.
There are two-piece, three-piece and five-piece sets available ranging from $49.99 to $69.99.
The planner is a soft leather notebook designed to be taken to every appointment. It includes nine tabbed sections for organizing each phase of treatment. There is a specific place for tracking everything from diagnosis and pathology to side effects, questions for physicians and notes. The other supportive products include the journal, which offers a safe and comforting place to express feelings; an easy-to-carry, eco-friendly canvas tote; plus a water bottle.
Mrs. Grimm envisions a time when every cancer patient receives the Ready for Recovery planner at the time of their diagnosis. Already many hospitals and doctors provide the planner as a gift to their patients. Plenty of people also purchase them for themselves or friends or loved ones. The planner makes a perfect heartfelt gift coming from a loved one.
The original Breast Cancer Planner is now part of a variety of products Mrs. Grimm offers, including the more generic Cancer Treatment Planner. More planners in gender-neutral designs and for other critical illnesses are in the works.
She and her husband, Corky, owner of Green Mountain Sports, live in Lakewood, Colo., with their two daughters, Sadie, 13, and Samantha, 10, and several four-legged friends.
For more information or to order a planner, call her at 303-638-1272, email Julie@cancerplanners.com or visit cancer
planners.com.
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