Hopefully most of you are in better shape than we cancer patients and only have one or maybe two doctors to see on a regular or occasional basis, but for those of us who see specialists seemingly every day (not just us but everyone really), it is absolutely crucial that the doctors/therapists/dentists/whoever it may be are people (key word - people) with whom you can establish a good rapport. Communication between the patient and the "treatment specialist" (or whatever you want to call them) is one of the most important skills that both must have. Moreover that skill must translate to the patient's care providers (for example in my case, what I mean by that includes primarily my immediate family members).
With technology constantly improving our abilities to communicate, I find it a very valuable tool to integrate into my personal care. I find it very helpful to the medical team if I know my body as well as if not better than they do, and therefore I keep track of a lot of pertinent things. I use spreadsheets to monitor sleep patterns to help my Neurologist, I also use them to monitor my blood pressure (especially since it has been particularly high lately and heart disease runs in my family). I don't know how truly accurate/useful they are, but I bought an automatic blood pressure monitor so that I could monitor myself at home and keep my doctors informed (it is important to me that my doctors like regular updates on these seemingly small details). Another spreadsheet tracks my occupational therapy exercises that I (am supposed) to do every day, which I use to both make sure that I do my homework and comply with the therapist... it also keeps me motivated, especially when I find myself in a rut and/or overdoing it. All of these tools are important in establishing a good rapport with your doctors and such, and also they are useful in helping to get to know yourself better, both physically and emotionally. At least they work for me... you may have to figure out what works best for yourself. However, at the same time, you must understand that the doctors and you must be able to come to a mutual decision about your care, and neither one should have total control. Essentially, I feel it is important to be able to say no in spite of the fact that the doctor may disagree with your decision and (hopefully) feel that it is in your best interest to do what is asked. Sometimes saying no is the best decision. I could have been paralyzed back in 2005 had I not said no (this is an extreme case, but nevertheless an important point).
Anyhow, I'm off my soap-box for today. I wish you all the best in the near future... I will be continuing to take things day by day, minute by minute. Again, I ask that you please email me at thecancerousot@gmail.com if you'd like me to answer some questions. I'll hopefully find a lot of repeat questions that I can address to everyone at the same time, but also I'd love some questions that may be more "involved"... don't be afraid to ask anything... I won't share who asked what unless you tell me to do so.
Until next time (and after obviously), take care!
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