You are your own best advocate for proper health care and medical treatment

Every time I read an article on the breast cancer disaster back east, I cringe. It’s so sad,so tragic. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/03/20/inquiry-goobie.html 

You have cancer. You don’t have cancer. You don’t have the right kind of cancer. I’m sorry, we’ve made a mistake, you do qualify for treatment….. only its too late for you.

Could anything have been done differently to prevent the inevitable? Perhaps, and it remains to be seen, yet this is an excellent opportunity to  learn a lesson that may save your life one day.

Although some would say that we should all trust our doctors unconditionally, that we must have the utmost faith in the professionals that care for us at our weakest, I disagree.

You, and only you,are your own best friend, caretaker, and person responsible for your well-being . As such, it is your responsibility to be your own advocate when it comes to health-care, and  you educate yourself in any matter that should arise regarding your health. I dont mean making your own diagnosis, I mean researching what you are told, asking questions, and looking for options.

You just might save your life.

I learned the hard way, not to take what I was being told at face value without questions. As a young woman, I trusted doctors implicitly- after all, that’s their job, to take care of you and do whats best in your care.

Unfortunately, in doing so, I was a victim of ignorance. All women should go for a pap test every year, which is the only method to check for early signs of cervical cancers through cell changes. I did so religiously,and for many years they all came back fine. However,one year I had to see a fill-in doctor who told me  the test came back abnormal, but that it wasn’t necessary to test again immediately, or go for a colposcopy- which is  a more in depth look at the cervical changes in question. Trusting the doctor, I didn’t go back until my next scheduled test, which came back fine, but the following year I received a big surprise that could have been prevented had I asked more questions  at the first sign of changes.

My GP called me in to tell me I had malignant cells on my cervix, and that I had to go to the hospital soon for follow-up. This was the beginning of journey of  aggressive treatment that lasted several years and was finally “cured” with surgery.

Let me tell you what I could have done differently to improve the situation, had I taken charge of my own care instead of following the advice of others.

When the first test came back abnormal, I should have done a wee bit of research that would have told me I should push for a visual examination- which definitely would have shown that a bigger problem was in fact, developing. I didn’t, and the cells that were starting to become malignant continued to grow unchecked for another year.

Upon talking with my GP about how this could have happened, she advised me that for years, doctors didn’t realise how important it was to swab the entire cervix during testing, and would often just poke to swab in, rub a little, and that was it. In my case, that lead to many missed areas that were actually undergoing radical cellular changes leading to malignancy. In my case, all the malignant cells were clustered on one side of the cervix- it was the opposite healthy side that had always just happened to get swabbed. Now, a 360 degree sample ensures nothing is missed.

 Disillusioned,I started researching a bit, and saved myself in the process.

The specialist I was referred to for treatment was one of the ‘best in his field’, but his attitude was one of arrogance and it didnt make me feel comfortable. He said that I should have a hysterectomy, even though I was only in my mid twenties, and refused to discuss any other option. After all, he was “the man in the know”…. He wanted me to just fall in line meekly, and at this point, I refused to believe this was my only option. Disgusted, I walked out of his office the day before surgery, and cancelled it, against his orders.  My GP had already received a call from him about what a horrid patient I was, and when I told her why I walked out, she set me up with another doctor.

This new specialist, heard my concerns and fears, and we talked. Talked. Such a simple thing, and yet so few physicians take the time to actually talk to their patients. We discussed options, and he agreed that a radical hysterectomy was not the route to go, considering my youthful age, and we chose another surgical route that preserved my womb.

And it worked. I’ve been fine ever since.

Not to mention, that I wouldn’t have been able to have my three year old, who was a miracle baby, or conceive the one I’m expecting. No uterus – no options. I am reminded every day how right I was to go elsewhere when I get a big ’squishie’ from my little son.

I  do think we should be confidant in the choices we make  in our health care providers, but unfortunately so many  people don’t even have that option anymore. A lack of GPs has lead to a situation where many families are forced to see clinic doctors that often change. Visits are rushed , no one knows your history, your lifestyle, your fears. And so, sometimes people fall through the cracks.

It is your body, your life, so please take charge, and don’t be afraid. Ask questions, look for options, be prepared for your visits. Don’t just take any treatment without understanding why, or how, or what for- and you don’t have to commit to anything right away. Ask for second opinions, ask to see test results, or get a copy. They are your records, although some GPs would tell you otherwise. You can ask for the actual x-rays- you paid for them through medicare.

By ensuring that you have all the facts, and that you understand all the options, you can do your part in ensuring the appropriate medical care. My grandmother had breast cancer for years, unknown to either her or her doctor, and when it finally got to the point where it reached the surface of her skin, like a sore, her doctor told her it was just an infection and gave her some antibiotic cream. She was in her 70’s. She believed him, even though she thought something else was wrong, and it took many more visits to actually get some testing done. By then, it was too late – it was everywhere.

I cringe when I see patients glibly taking prescriptions they don’t understand or even know why they are taking them.So many people don’t want to be labelled “difficult” by their doctors, they don’t want to be a bother.

Let me tell you this – I would rather be labelled difficult or a bother, than be dead. Its as simple as that. While we must depend on the knowledge and training of our physicians, doing your part as an informed and active patient will ensure the best possible course of treatment in the end.