If you've ever had a family member in the hospital, you know that keeping everyone informed about the patient's progress can be as exhausting as the nights spent in the waiting room. We rely on everything from phone trees to mass emails to get updates or find out where to send flowers, but I just discovered a website called CaringBridge that makes this very difficult task easier.
Sort of like Facebook for tough times, the free service lets you easily create a website to share updates on a loved one's illness, surgery, hospital stay, and progress. When a friend of mine was recently hospitalized, her family set up a page on CaringBridge, and I've been really impressed by how extensive it is. To find out how it works, read more.
CaringBridge lets you post explanations about a patient's illness, plus photos and updates on test results or overall mood. Friends and family can sign up for email notifications when new info is posted and leave their thoughts and messages on the guestbook page. The site even lets you make a donation along with a tribute to the patient in question. It seems like a great solution in what can be a very challenging time. Have you ever used one of these sites? Tell me what you thought.
Firetrap
Dries Van Noten
Vivien Caron
A friend of mine used this while her mother was terminally ill with cancer. I think that it was great because she didn't have to constantly update everyone, just once online. (It was very difficult for her to talk about it, so it was also emotionally easier for her during those difficult times.)
1A friend of mine recently used this when her friend was in the hospital. Made it much easier for her to get updates.
2I keep up with 6 different people on CaringBridge right now. It's a great tool to keep in touch with people especially when they have to go across the country for treatment. Even better, I can leave messages for them so they know I'm thinking about them.
3I wish I had known of this site when my dad went through chemo last summer. It would have been a great way to chronicle his treatment, and let people know his progress.
4This site was so invaluable to keep track of how my cousin was doing in the hospital, 2000 miles away. It felt like a mini visit every time I logged in to read posts, updates, and what everyone else was blogging. Our family was able to still stay connected even though we weren't able to physically be there.
5Wish I had known about this when my aunt went through ovarian cancer. Though the family is all local, it was difficult and still is hard to talk about her illness and death with friends. Writing makes it so much easier for me.
6This site has been a brilliant tool for a good friend's teenage daughter who as been battling cancer. It's a great way to stay connected, and keeps her from having to go into all of the details over and over with her friends.
7We used this when my nephew had cancer, with relatives living in England it was a god-send.
8My friend also used it for the two children she lost to a genetic disorder. It was such a relief for people to be able to read what was going on and not have to repeat it over and over. A lot of us still leave notes to the kids when we miss them.
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