It’s All About Control
Let’s call this day, OUR day.
We’re taking control of the day. We all know how important it is to stay in control while we’re in a cancer fight. There are so many new voices stepping in, trying to pull us one way and then another, it’s not unusual to feel like you’re spinning out of control. There are so many decisions to make. Some doctors try to make the choices for you, while others throw out so many options, you’re blown away by what’s in front of you. So today, I’m here to remind you to stay in control.
If you don’t know all the answers, ask. It’s as simple as that. Ask questions and get answers that will help with your decisions. Making the right choice is especially important in cancer world. Talk it over with your caregiver. Sometimes another voice on the subject brings in another point of view that will lead to a better decision about treatment or looking toward the next bend in the road.
But stay in control. You’ve been there for a long time,and just because cancer is in the room, shouldn’t change that part of you.
When we’re making our own choices, we feel empowered and that gives us strength to fight even harder.
With cancer, you get an extra layer of “tough.” There’s a reason for that. We all need the “tough” part to stay in the “control” part.
April 6, 2011 @ 10:38 pm
My mother suffered a serious fall because a medical specialist did not think about the consequences of prescribing a strong,bladder control medication to an unsteady senior citizen. Untrained,overwhelmed caregivers are often left with the added responsibility of medical care coordinator. Modern medicine works in a world of everyday miracles, but a lot of suffering could be averted if we could use digital networking tools to communicate concerns and to share data.Everything -physical therapy,dietary,surgery, etc-needs to be viewed as a complete picture.
April 6, 2011 @ 7:22 pm
I have taken my training from the cancerworld and applied it to my wife’s situation. We had questions and concerns about some of the drugs she was given upon discharge from the hospital….drugs to supposedly help her breathing. She seemed to be getting a little worse and certainly more shaky, jittery and nervous. I called her regular pulmonologist and explained to the message taker what was going on and that I really needed to talk to him. Surprisingly, he returned my call and told me to get her into his office the following day. Of the 3 drugs she was taking each in the hospital and upon discharge, he discontinued 2 of them immediately. He checked her thoroughly and said that if anything else occurred to please call him at once ( this was an out of this world experience for me but in such a good way). Things have improved. Now we are doing the same thing with her cardiac surgeon..a review of her drugs and thorough check of her tomorrow cause her lack of real improvement has us concerned. The cancer world has taught me many good things and I have used them to try to get help and answers for her situation. You must be your own advocate and if the words and music don’t align, continue to pursue for some answers from other people who you trust.
April 6, 2011 @ 4:38 pm
I agree. I just spoke with my doctor yesterday and he mentioned so very few patients actually question his approach. Most just do what he says and never ask why, or is there something else I can do. That is why we must all understand what is being done to us and why! Take control.