March 28, 2017CoachVickyLeave a comment
I have a little more to share about being an advocate…
Richard and I were on speakerphone with my first Primary Care Physician (PCP) when she gave us the results of my first biopsy. I remember replying, “Are you saying I have cancer?” She said, “Yes.”
My world went into a slow downward, spiral spin. All I remember thinking and not asking was “would I die?” I do not think I really comprehended much after that but I found myself scribbling what I could hear. Her words were confusing and I did not know how to spell many of the words.
Later we discovered that the first PCP did not know what she was talking about. She had shared that I would have radiation. My cancers could not be radiated. That false information led me down a research road I did not need to take and set us up for a shocker from my Surgeon. When my Surgeon said his recommendation was a bi lateral mastectomy and replied, “No, I am here for us to discuss radiation X amount of times a week for 20 minutes each.” Again, I felt that downward, spiral spin.
Thus began the lessons on Being An Advocate.
- It is critical to have someone with you at all medical appointments, meetings, phone calls, and encounters when facing a life changing disease. There is a box on my hospital’s forms asking if I need an “Oral Interpreter.” I check yes and that allows Richard to be with me without question.
- Both parties must make notes and review those notes together.
- Be prepared. Before an encounter, write out all questions, symptoms, and concerns. I like to fax my doctors my questions so that they are best prepared. If I read a research article and I have questions about, I share that article as well. It keeps my doctors prepared and neither of us wastes time.
- Position yourself so you can see your doctor. Position your Advocate so he can see the interchange between you and your doctor. If you need to rearrange chairs, then do so! Look for the non verbal communications.
- Keep a paper copy of EVERYTHING. Sure, I have a lot of information on line but for this journey, everything is backed up on paper. Before chemo treatment, I ask for a copy of my treatment plan to verify that I am receiving what I should be receiving. At each medical appointment, I have a copy of my current medications as well as dates / types of surgeries. Trusting these to memory is just not safe.
Leaders … How can you apply these lessons on your teams?
-VhS