Great Insight...Found in "PracticeUpdate"
 

Hello Gals...
I've been online researching...as usual...came upon this medical sight..."PracticeUpdate"...

I'm not the "guru" to link, BUT, I'm thinking Janis?? could pull this up...I KNOW there are plenty of you "technies" here!! :)

Anyhow, here is what I found as I really felt it summed up what I go through alot where I get my infusions and also experience with my medical oncologists, etc...


My Approach
"Passport to Personality" Who's Difficult?"
Betsy Bates Freed, PsyD (IMNG Medical Media)

"What particularly helps me is to remember (and remind my colleagues) that our shared enemy is cancer, not the patient. By seeing the patient as our ally in that fight, we are motivated to compassionately demysitify our traditions and find creative bridges to connection with all types of people who need our care."

Have a great day!!
Susan :)

Re: Great Insight...Found in "PracticeUpdate"
 

Here you go - you need to register (or at least it prompted me to register). I didn't, but here is the link Susan referenced

http://www.practiceupdate.com/Explor...pinion/?id=318

The title does remind me of the times I would call my oncology nurse assistance line when I was having severe bouts of diarrhea from chemo and was really insistent on stronger meds than imodium. My onc later told me that the nurses were scared of me. Better to have them scared than to make light of my health concerns (and I told her that). The BRAT diet gets old really fast ;-).

We are our own strongest advocates and need to do everything and learn everything we can to fight this stinking disease.

Best,

(opinionated) Janis

Re: Great Insight...Found in "PracticeUpdate"
 

I like that. Many times I felt that I was the enemy in cancer treatment, not the cancer. I had not had much experience with the medical industry before my diagnosis.

I felt more hurt and devastated from the attitudes of my doctors than from the actual diagnosis of breast cancer. I would ask for more information and would be accused of wanting to be my own doctor instead of being an informed and proactive patient.

It did motivate me to want to change cancer treatment. I can not fathom how acceptable chemotherapy is, and the horrible after affects. It also made me realize that I cannot wait for the medical industry to rapidly progress cancer treatments. This change can only come from advancements in science and patients who are willing to voice a demand for change, to volunteer in clinical trials, and to vote with our dollars for the services and treatments that we desire.

It is unfortunate, but I think we have handed our power as patients to our physicians. We should be equal partners in our healing and recovery.

okay . . . stepping off my soap box now . . .

Re: Great Insight...Found in "PracticeUpdate"
 

AWWWWW, I am RIGHT HERE with you GIRLS!!! WE ARE OUR OWN VERY BEST ADVOCATES!!!
After I started asking questions, as I'd been on the internet, etc...I'd get responses as to "Stay off off the internet, listen to your doctor, don't believe all your hear...
That is when I KNEW to "GET ONLINE, DO MY OWN RESEARCH...carry a notebook with me of questions/answers to ask my doctors as soon as I figured out I NEEDED to start "doing my own job!!"

Glad we are in this TOGETHER...I could really get going...but, I have to go pick up my son...!!! How I THANK GOD FOR MY FAMILY!!!

Hugs!!