If you are newly diagnosed with cancer or if someone you love is then please know that I consider it my duty to post articles designed to help you. Now if you are anything like me than you don't especially like to go to the doctor but you will soon get over that. Having cancer means that you will be going to the doctor a lot and you will soon get used to the different kinds of tests being run on you all the time.
Choosing your oncologist is probably the single biggest decision you will need to make and one that can make or break this treatment process. You will need someone who will help you aggressively fight this disease and one who can communicate well with you. It is vitally important that you have a really good working relationship with your doctor.
When I was first diagnosed I was referred to the same oncologist that I have now. I was not able to get right in to see her so I had my "orientation" appointment with a very nice male oncologist who cared for me during my hospital stay. As we discussed which forms of treatment were available to me I immediately latched on to any treatment that avoided chemotherapy. To me chemotherapy was synonymous with torture and I was afraid of it.
Two weeks later I meet my oncologist who informed me that I will be going on chemotherapy. I tried to argue with her and of course I had done my research (reading anything and everything to was pro-hormone therapy and anti-chemotherapy) but all arguments were futile. My oncologist is a tiger and she was well equipped to take me on. She let me know in no uncertain terms that if I wanted to get better and walk again real soon then I was going on chemotherapy. I began to cry and she gently explained to me that chemotherapy has come a long, long way. She was right. In about two months I was able to move with much greater ease. I was not ill and I did spend anytime vomiting despite all that I had heard about chemotherapy.
I learned two things from this experience arguing with my Doctor on that day and in the months to follow. 1. I am my greatest advocate. I need to pay attention, do my research, ask questions and speak up if I don't agree or don't understand something. 2. I have no knowledge of oncology. I may be an intelligent woman but I am not practiced in the art of cancer treatment. No amount of reading articles or books on the subject will ever substitute the day to day wisdom of my Doctor and I need to place my trust in her. Thus far, she has proved herself time and again and I am alive today because she is a skilled oncologist.
I do not believe that in today's world anyone should passively trust their Doctor or medical professional to make decisions for them. I think there is a difference between actively participating in your treatment and turning the reigns over to someone else. You need to know what medications you are on, which you have been on and why you are being prescribed them. It is important to maintain an open dialogue about your treatment. Ask for copies of all reports and consider keeping a journal. Never be afraid to advocate for yourself and do not be afraid to speak up when you know that something is not right. Your life may depend on these skills. You might also consider taking someone with you to help you listen and perhaps be a note taker because you might react emotionally and then have a hard time recalling what was said.
I hope that you are never placed in a situation like this but I pray that if you are then maybe some of this information may help you.
Susan
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