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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 8 June 2020

A handy list of resources for living with the coronavirus and managing your chronic conditions. Just look for your condition below. If you don't find what you are looking for, please leave a comment and we will get back to you.    

We must live with Covid-19 pandemic for a while. For people with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, rheumatic conditions, pulmonary conditions, it is even more essential to manage these conditions better. For e.g. a person whose blood sugars are under control is better equipped to deal with the coronavirus infection. 

As we prepare for the easing of restrictions, we must be aware of the risks of infection associated with it and mitigate these risks by practicing safety guidelines viz. mask hygiene, regular washing and sanitisation of hands, and maintaining safe distance at all times. 

We must also recognise that we cannot delay seeking help and treatment of our chronic conditions, and seek out the doctor. The process of these has changed in some places. While some places have started OPDs, most still require that you first connect and consult with the doctor through telemedicine. If the doctor advises you to go for tests or go see the doctor in person, please go ahead and not delay diagnosis and treatment. Do not let your fear of Covid-19 risk overtake your need for timely care.

We have also compiled resources for various conditions. Click on the topics you are interested in to get a detailed understanding of your specific condition. If you have specific questions, you can ask in our discussion forums or contact us at  https://www.patientsengage.com/contact

Cancer

1. How to manage cancer treatment during Covid-19 by Dr. Vinay Deshmane, Consultant in Surgical Oncology & Breast Diseases and Medical Director and Jnt. Hon secretary of the Indian Cancer Society. Link to the webinar recording.

2.Also, here is the link to the key notes from the recording of the above webinar    

Diabetes 

1. How to live well with Diabetes during Covid-19 by Dr. Debashis Basu, Diabetes Awareness and You

2. How to manage diabetes during Covid-19 lockdown by Dr. Piya Balani Thakkar. Summary of her webinar recording

2a. How to manage diabetes during Covid-19 lockdown by Dr. Piya Balani Thakkar. Link to the webinar recording

Dementia

1. Dementia Home Care, the COVID-19 infection risk, and Lockdown/ Unlock challenges

This is a good resource to track the impact of the changes due to lockdowns and re-opening of cities and areas and how it impacts dementia care and even elder care. Useful tips for family caregivers of persons with dementia.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

Stories

  • After Breast Cancer: Navigating Special Needs Parenting and Financial Independence
    Breast Cancer Survivor of more than 25 years, Farida Rizwan talks about her journey of living beyond breast cancer. How she strove for financial independence and navigated the challenges of parenting of two young children including one with Cerebral Palsy and Intellectual Disability and what kept her going. "I wanted Quantity of Life rather than Quality. I had to be there for my children" Farida Rizwan is a senior curriculum developer for a Learning app, Founder & Administrator of a…
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    Strange Symptoms of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
    Suzanne Sangi, 26, was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension causing severe headaches, ringing in her ears with a daunting possibility of going blind. Here she talks about her treatment and renewed will to live thoughtfully and hopefully. I often wondered to myself, things couldn’t get any worse than they were -- I’d been living with a chronic illness called Lupus for more than three years now. My kidneys had been aggressively damaged and I’ve…
  • Stock pic of a magnifying glass over a dictionary focussing on cancer and the patientsengage logo and the purple ribbon for cancer
    Cancer Terms Explained
    When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they and their family caregivers need to suddenly learn a new vocabulary of terms. It can be overwhelming to look at various reports and make sense of what it means. PatientsEngage has put together a glossary of various cancer related terms. Bookmark this for easy reference. If you don't find the term you are looking for leave a comment below or send us a note through contact us and we will update the content.       …
  • I Am Scared To Go Down the Path of Illness
    Author and writer Usha Jesudasan illustrates, with a parable of Chicken Little who believes the world is coming to an end, how illness related anxiety can get difficult. Here she offers some tried and tested tips that have worked for her to come out of this way of thinking. A visiting friend sneezed and coughed around me.  No, he wasn’t wearing a mask.  I was a bit cross.  I had kept myself safe through the two Covid waves and strictly followed safety measures. I live alone, and…
  • Esophageal Cancer Made Swallowing Of Even Ice Cream Hard
    When Mr. Sudhir Waghmare, 58, PhD, entrepreneur and innovator, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer he took it in his stride quite stolidly. What broke him down was the loss during chemotherapy of his luscious hair which he dearly cherished. He shares his personal narrative. My background I am an entrepreneur and innovator of a company engaged in manufacturing new born life saving devices since the last 31 years. I have a PhD degree in Neonatal Intensive care equipment. I am married to…
  • मैं कैंसर से नहीं मरूंगी
    मुंबई की 56 वर्षीय रश्मि सचदे को 15 साल पहले गैस्ट्रोइंटेस्टाइनल स्ट्रोमल ट्यूमर (जीआईएसटी) का निदान मिला था। वे कैंसर को एक पेइंग गेस्ट की तरह मानती हैं और अपनी कैंसर यात्रा को अपनी आस्था और हँसते रहने की प्रवृत्ति के सहारे संभालती हैं। 2004 की बात है।, मैंने देखा कि मेरा पेट फूलने लगा था और जब मैं सोने के लिए लेटती तो विशेष रूप से एक तरफ बहुत सख्त लगता। मुझे उस समय फूले हुए पेट के अलावा कोई अन्य स्वास्थ्य संबंधी शिकायत नहीं थी – पर पेट इतना फूला रहता कि लोग पूछने लगे कि क्या मैं गर्भवती हूं।…
  • Profile picture of Uday Kerwar Bladder cancer survivor and Ostomy India Chairperson framed in a blue background with the bladder cancer tricolour ribbon
    You Adapt To The Bladder Bag Like You Do To Eye-Glasses
    Uday Kerwar, survivor of stage 4 bladder cancer and currently Chairman of Ostomy Association of India (OAI) talks about his journey with bladder cancer, urostomy bags, its many challenges and plenty of adjustments before it becomes a part of you. Please tell us a little about yourself.  I am 62 and retired. Since 2016 I am continuously associated with Ostomy Association of India (OAI), a Charitable Trust providing rehabilitative support to people who have undergone Ostomy (life-saving…
  • Eating Plan- Powerful Tool for Managing Diabetes
    Rima Rao, Registered Dietitian explains the basic tenets of a wholesome diet to manage diabetes, using the Diabetes Plate Method. She also addresses the topic of when and how much fruit a person with diabetes can consume.  "What should I eat?" is a typical question that people with diabetes ask. There is, however, no such thing as a “Diabetes Diet.” Some things that you can do include changing how you cook, how much you eat, when you eat it and what you cook with. When it comes to…
  • Travel Tips for Persons with Diabetes
    People with diabetes can travel safely and comfortably. They just need to follow a few travel guidelines. These tips have been curated based on inputs from experiences of frequent travelers with diabetes and vetted by Dr. Shital Patel. To begin with, it is important to note that diabetes related supplies are allowed on the plane.  Carry medications in hand luggage and in original packaging.  Insulin & insulin pens, alcohol swabs and unlimited numbers of unused syringes  …
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    मेरे ब्रेन ट्यूमर के निदान ने मुझे बोल्ड बना दिया
    जब बेंगलुरु की 38 वर्षीया ए चित्रा को सीज़र होने लगे, तो शुरू में उनका एपिलेप्सी (मिर्गी) के लिए इलाज किया गया, लेकिन अंततः उन्हें मैलिग्नेंट ग्लियोमा (एक प्रकार का ब्रेन ट्यूमर) का निदान मिला। वे बताती हैं कि कैसे उन्होंने डॉक्टरों, परिवार, दोस्तों और अपनी कंपनी की टीम के समर्थन से अपनी बीमारी के उपचार और भावनात्मक पीड़ा को संभाला। कृपया हमें अपनी स्थिति के बारे में कुछ बताएं मुझे एनाप्लास्टिक एस्ट्रोसाइटोमा ग्रेड 3 नामक ब्रेन ट्यूमर का निदान मिला था। यह एक दुर्लभ, मैलिग्नेंट ट्यूमर है जिसे…