There decades, patients have simply followed the instructions of their doctors and have felt ill comfortable to ask questions doctors.
Today, patients and doctors want better communication, especially in a disease as serious as mesothelioma.
Don ?? t be afraid to ask the doctor or nurse to explain a medical term you do ?? t understand, or you draw a simple picture to help you better understand what is happening in your body
The truth is patients who communicate well with their health care team are often :.
- more satisfied with their care
- emotionally healthy
- more likely to follow the instructions ?? s doctor
- better manage their symptoms
Fortunately, there are some strategies that can fill this gap in communication.
Keep a handy laptop with your medical information
It is useful to have all your information in one place.
a notebook or binder will allow you to keep copies of your lab results, diagnostic reports and your treatment schedule in one place. Ask your oncology nurse for all telephone and fax relevant, including after-hours numbers and keep them in your laptop.
Some patients keep track of daily changes in their levels of pain, energy, nausea, shortness of breath, other symptoms of sleep and mesothelioma. It is helpful to let your doctor or nurse know how these symptoms fluctuate over time so that your health care team can better understand and manage. It's also a good idea to keep a list of your current medications in your laptop.
Prepare a set of questions to ask your doctor or nurse
Before your visits or phone calls with your oncologist or personal make a list of questions you have about your cancer and treatment plan. Some issues to consider :?
- What type of mesothelioma do I
- What stage is my cancer
- Where exactly is cancer in my body?
- What are my treatment options?
- What is the plan if my current treatment is not working?
- How will you determine my treatment is working?
- What are the side effects of treatment?
- How many times will I get tests or blood work?
- Who do I call if I have questions or concerns between office visits?
- How will I know the difference between the normal side effects and serious health problem?
Bring a pair of eyes and ears to your doctor Visit
Bring a loved one to appointments in oncology treatments can minimize the risk that you miss an item important information.
an extra set of eyes and ears is always helpful because we don ?? not always remember everything the doctor or nurse says.
put on other sources of information
Request written information online about your treatment and how to manage side effects. Most pharmaceutical companies have a lot of information on their websites about the drugs they manufacture. Use them as a resource.
Most oncologists these days support your request for a second opinion or referral to a specialist mesothelioma.
Understanding your diagnosis and treatment plan led to a less stressful and healthier quality of life during and after treatment of mesothelioma. Keep the lines of communication open is key to better results in your treatment.
