Team You: Being proactive with your care
You need to be the captain of your healthcare team!
I just wanted to give a quick update on my ongoing journey into oncologic uncertainty! My PET scan results came back showing a slight increase in cancer activity and one spot getting a little larger. My doctor says it could be just a technical variance and it might be worth it to wait a few months and see.
I already had an appointment with my doctor up in Indy with whom I’ve been consulting. We’re going there on Friday, so we’ll see what he has to say.
If I were to give advice to anyone, it would be to always get another opinion. It doesn’t have to be just at your initial diagnosis, but on every step of your journey. Doctors aren’t perfect, and two heads are better than one. Sometimes three is even better. It’s your life, and you’re worth it!
You know you have a good doctor when he/she does not get upset about it. Then you know they are more concerned about your well-being than their own ego. I’m lucky that my oncologist is always encouraging about my going to see another doctor.
But if your doctor gets all huffed up about your getting another opinion, it’s my opinion you see someone else. I’ve seen too many people afraid of offending their doctor or putting all their trust in one physician and losing their life over it.
Cancer is complicated; you need a team to make sure you’re getting the absolute standard of care. You really need to think of it as your team; and you’re the captain. You hear of Team Jacob and Team Edward; well this is Team You.
Sometimes your doctors need a little help or nudge when it comes to finding the best treatment for you. A great resource I discovered is a clinical trial matching service offered through LIVESTRONG. After you give them your information, a clinical trial specialist will help match you with appropriate trials throughout the country.
Jeanine, my clinical trial specialist, checks in on me every few months. She even offered some great information about Target Now, an oncology and molecular cancer testing service that helps determine which treatments are most likely to be effective. This is very interesting to me after “failing” my last chemo treatment. Why not target the treatment to your particular tumor instead of guessing which one might work? I’m definitely asking my doctors about this!
I talk a lot about the people who beat the odds in my upcoming book, From Incurable to Incredible. They were all proactive with their care.
What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your experiences.
Jody Schoger says:
Tami,
You show all of us how to keep walking ahead with situations and experiences we never wanted to have. I like your realistic, “let’s check this out” attitude and approach. Proactive is the only way to go!!!
Plus I hadn’t heard about Target Now, and will be very curious to find out what physicians and cancer centers use it. And you’re so right to seek additional expertise. Doctors can get …hmm…occasionally closed to information they haven’t heard from either their colleagues or a conference. Not all. But some are uncomfortable when they don’t know answers. I always tell my friends who are in treatment, “don’t ever forget who’s driving the bus.”
Hugs to you. Will wait to here,
Jody
BOptimistic says:
How true, Tami! I know a lot of people in my age group (50+) were raised to never question a doctor, and to go for a second opinion would be a no-n0 because you could “hurt your doctor’s feelings.”
I would be one of those people. I never questioned why I was not immediately referred to an oncologist when I was first diagnosed. My gynecologist performed the surgery, but thankfully had an oncologist on standby in another city for consultation if required. I do not regret not asking for a second opinion as I believe I have had the best surgical team for all 3 of my surgeries. However, I make sure that I question my doctors and do not take everything they say as “gospel.”
I do agree that several heads are better than one. I consider myself very fortunate to have several great heads on my side!!
I will remain optimistic that your appointment on Friday gives you the hope and optimism you need to carry you through. Stay strong!!
Debby says:
Amen to this post. I have always been told it is the “art” of medicine. While there are standard “receipes” to fit certain tumor types, it is the docs that are thinking out of the box that are getting the exciting things done. Colaboration is key. You have a good onc. I used to play tennis with his wife.
sam elliston says:
I look forward to hearing about what your Doc in Indy says.
I love your optimistic, inquiring approach and we all need lessons in standing up for ourselves. thanks
Michelle says:
I look forward to hearing about what your Doc in Indy says.
I love your optimistic, inquiring approach and we all need lessons in standing up for ourselves. thanks