MAY 20-10 BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE

SHALOM:
The oncology dept. is so full of very ill people. The doctors are swamped, as are the exceptional nurses. I have not been able to see and talk to my oncologist for over 2 months. I am so thankful not to have a more serious cancer, but nevertheless I do have concerns and issues and a need to ask questions. The nurses have been wonderful with answering, but they often have to tell you to talk to your oncologist. This past week was close to the point at which I either continue all 12 taxol treatments or stop at 8 which was a possibility to be considered. With no doctor to talk to, I was very much in the dark, altho' the nurses said that everyone on taxol does all 12 tipulim.
I know in my heart that this one lovely nurse drawing my blood must have gone and cornered my oncologist and spoken to him. Suddenly that day, he came to smile at me. His nurse then cornered me and made me an appt. for 2 days later to discuss issues. Later on that same day, she said to come by his office, and possibly they will do it that day. I know that had I not been my own advocate and spoken of my frustration to my nurse attending me, that this would not have occurred. Bless the efficient, hard working nurses, and yes, people out there, whether you are in the U>S> or Canada or here in Israel, etc., BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. Speak up for yourself and ask questions.

Some summary points after my meeting for us all to think about.

Fatigue is common and after several weeks and months this will improve. Radiation as well will have its fatigue component, but less. Each of my series has its side effects, and it all varies from treatment to treatment and on the individual.

Based on my side effects and blood level, etc. my present treatments will end after the 8 sessions. Then I will have some time to kind of
come back to myself before starting radiation.

As to depression, we all live with uncertainty in life but get thru'
by denial, says my Dr., but with cancer (and such serious illnesses like after a heart attack,the denial is broken. We must learn to live with the anxiety and push it back of our head so that we can still live but not have it blind you. We all have an illusion of control through healthy living, etc. but the baseline risk of being human, we are all facing our mortality. Time helps, says my Dr. This in a nutshell is some of our discussion. Our body has betrayed us, and it takes time to trust our body again.

If this information helps anybody out there, I am pleased.
May we all pray for each other.
MY best wishes to you.
chaya bat sara bayla