Cancer took my smile away, but only for a while. Helping others understand what a cancer diagnosis is like will help improve the experience for everyone.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED October 11, 2018
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com, or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
When I first discovered what it was like to have cancer, I felt like my smile had been permanently wiped off my face. I wished doctors and loved ones understood all the things that I was feeling. It seemed like the nurses and physician assistants were looking more at the whole picture of me, not just the woman who lost her smile or just the cancer. Of course, insurance plans often allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants more time with patients than they allow for doctors. I hope that will change over time.
Newly diagnosed cancer patients have a ton of questions. I tried to write my questions down as they entered my brain. Next, I asked the oncology staff my questions as quickly as I could. I knew the oncologists were busy. I understood I wasn't the special snowflake. Still, it seemed like there were sometimes too many breakdowns in communication between the patients and the medical staff.
This disconnect was especially upsetting when two different doctors on my "medical team" gave me conflicting answers to the same question. Why can't they communicate with each other? This lack of consensus can be frightening for the cancer patient. According to the American Psychosocial Association, integrated care is defined as, "Collaboration between health professionals to provide complete treatment to patients and improve overall well-being." I hope integrated care will improve this disconnect. I wish more clinics had pharmacists that work closely with doctors, too.
Newly diagnosed cancer patients have a ton of questions. I tried to write my questions down as they entered my brain. Next, I asked the oncology staff my questions as quickly as I could. I knew the oncologists were busy. I understood I wasn't the special snowflake. Still, it seemed like there were sometimes too many breakdowns in communication between the patients and the medical staff.
This disconnect was especially upsetting when two different doctors on my "medical team" gave me conflicting answers to the same question. Why can't they communicate with each other? This lack of consensus can be frightening for the cancer patient. According to the American Psychosocial Association, integrated care is defined as, "Collaboration between health professionals to provide complete treatment to patients and improve overall well-being." I hope integrated care will improve this disconnect. I wish more clinics had pharmacists that work closely with doctors, too.
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