I hate these stories

I hate these stories about the tragedy befalling someone because of missed medical tests. They are 'tragic' and the media picks them up and tells us about the tragedy and this poor person is going to die.

This is one about a woman in England who had breast cancer and now has brain tumors and was told that she has weeks to live. The media tries to blame this one on the health care system. I'm sorry and its a tragic story but still the patient should have done more on her part as well.

If you go to the doctor and they tell you its whatever - arthritis - and gives you medication. You take the medication and it doesn't work, you need to go back to the doctor and say this isn't working and demand more care. If its still a problem keep going back to the doctor until you are feeling better. If you still are refused care, find another doctor. You can't sit there and let them tell you its nothing if its something that gets worse.

I'm such a patient patient, I would be hanging out in my doctor's waiting room and getting more opinions to find out what is wrong.

Being a patient is a two way street. If you go to the doctor, you need to listen to their instructions and avoid them at your peril. If you follow their instructions, you should expect to feel better in the long run. On the other hand if you go to the doctor and follow their instructions and don't get better or achieve the expected results, speak up and demand more. Don't sit back in pain or discomfort and let them tell you its nothing.

Words from an oncologist

A few months ago, an oncologist wrote a "Letter To A Young Smoker From An Oncologist". I found it very touching and meant to blog about it at the time - but chemo brain made me forget. It is a great article to share with someone who smokes and knows they shouldn't. Maybe it will help them quit.

Then the other day I found a sequel to the first letter entitled "This Is My Last Day On Earth" also written by the same oncologist, Dr. Craig Hildreth, MD. This is written from the patients point of view on dying of cancer and the issues that supported them and what they fought to the end.

The patient writes special notes to:

• The oncologist with thanks for the compassion and caring
• The insurnace company with outrage for refusing medicaiton
• The nurses for their care
• The loved ones with regrets
• And finally to himself.

I hope there are lessons here for all.

A doctor question.

Here is an interesting question. A woman wants additional treatment for her husband who is failing rapidly from cancer. She thinks there must be something more that can be done. But the doctor knows there isn't really anything left to prolong his life.

I am sure oncologists and other doctors are put into this position by well meaning family members countless times. There is a point where the treatment of the patient extends to the family members, especially the primary caregivers. They do not want to lose their loved one and are grasping at straws for anything to save their life.  

The article I liked to is from the physician's point of view - what should they do? Where do they draw the line? How do they keep the patient as comfortable as possible and keep the family members happy?

It is a tough question. I would not have to be the one to have to answer this. I can also see me being the one grasping at straws and asking the doctor isn't there something else to try?

End of life medication

In Electionovember (this is not a political post), Massachusetts residents will have the opportunity to vote on End of Life Medication. There are several requirements to the law:

• Must be an MA resident
• Must have been given less than six months to life
• Must be capable of making and communicating medical decisions
• Must voluntarily make a wish to die and make an informed decision.

I will vote for this. First of all, I think it should be an option. If you are dying and in pain and there is no hope, why can't you say 'that's it' instead of lingering in pain for a few more weeks? If you disagree, you do not need to make the choice to do it.

The problem with these laws when they try to pass them, is people start saying 'well I would never do that' and people come out of the woodwork saying my neighbor's hair dresser's cousin's friend was given 3 months to live and 20 years later they are still here. Everyone has the right to their own beliefs and this is a law that would allow people to make a difficult decision if they wished.

What if you had something like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's which is irreversible and incurable and you knew you were destined to die over a period of months or years and you could make the decision while you were capable that you wanted to be prescribed end of life medication when you got down to the bitter end? If you know your lot in life is to die a slow and painful death, wouldn't you want a way to avoid the pain if you could? We do not know what is in our future and we could all end up in that circumstance. I think we should be allowed to have that choice if we choose to.