Being a patient can subtly reshape how we see ourselves. Appointments, diagnoses, and treatments begin to define our days and, at times, our identity. Our emotions play a major role in how all that goes, I'm finding.
The advice for getting a second opinion is important. A friend’s 95-year-old mother has a lung mass found on an incidental chest X-ray. PCP referred them to a surgeon. Surgeon said “easy-peasy” (summarizing)—we just remove the portion of lung robotically (no discussion of potential complications from surgery or anesthesia). She then saw a radiation oncologist who explained radiation, the benefits and drawbacks, and went that route.
I’m a nurse anesthetist, and was appalled at the chest surgeon’s lack of detail in obtaining informed consent for the robotic lung lobectomy. Alarmingly, this 95-year-old was scheduled for same-day arrival for surgery (no pre-anesthesia visit). Yikes—
Praise be to God as this lady’s daughter is a Christian and took time to pray about this and seek help to navigate the decisions. God is the Great Physician! He sometimes uses humans in the healing process, but also guides us to truth by the Holy Spirit.
Great newsletter, Janice. As I shared in a couple of my articles lately, I was kind of a basket case when I thought I needed another stent & didn't get one. I am so lucky that I have an excellent cardiologist and nurse practitioner. When I called with concerns, they got me in the next day. They have the best "bedside manner" I've ever experienced. I think they are rare. I also love that they don't treat me like an "almost eighty-year-old." They say, "Let's get you back on the golf course." I definitely don't want to start spending my time at the doctor's office. Some of my friends spend their lives there. Thanks again for the informative article. Here's hoping if you ever do need a good doc, you find ones like mine. xoxo
"Yet beneath the medical chart, the self remains — the thinking, feeling person who is still making choices about how to live." Yes, Janice! And we need to advocate for ourselves, to stand up and say, "Listen to me, please."
Being a patient can subtly reshape how we see ourselves. Appointments, diagnoses, and treatments begin to define our days and, at times, our identity. Our emotions play a major role in how all that goes, I'm finding.
The advice for getting a second opinion is important. A friend’s 95-year-old mother has a lung mass found on an incidental chest X-ray. PCP referred them to a surgeon. Surgeon said “easy-peasy” (summarizing)—we just remove the portion of lung robotically (no discussion of potential complications from surgery or anesthesia). She then saw a radiation oncologist who explained radiation, the benefits and drawbacks, and went that route.
I’m a nurse anesthetist, and was appalled at the chest surgeon’s lack of detail in obtaining informed consent for the robotic lung lobectomy. Alarmingly, this 95-year-old was scheduled for same-day arrival for surgery (no pre-anesthesia visit). Yikes—
Praise be to God as this lady’s daughter is a Christian and took time to pray about this and seek help to navigate the decisions. God is the Great Physician! He sometimes uses humans in the healing process, but also guides us to truth by the Holy Spirit.
Great newsletter, Janice. As I shared in a couple of my articles lately, I was kind of a basket case when I thought I needed another stent & didn't get one. I am so lucky that I have an excellent cardiologist and nurse practitioner. When I called with concerns, they got me in the next day. They have the best "bedside manner" I've ever experienced. I think they are rare. I also love that they don't treat me like an "almost eighty-year-old." They say, "Let's get you back on the golf course." I definitely don't want to start spending my time at the doctor's office. Some of my friends spend their lives there. Thanks again for the informative article. Here's hoping if you ever do need a good doc, you find ones like mine. xoxo
Hi Jan, you are very fortunate, for sure.
"Yet beneath the medical chart, the self remains — the thinking, feeling person who is still making choices about how to live." Yes, Janice! And we need to advocate for ourselves, to stand up and say, "Listen to me, please."
Hi Sharron, That we did, especially as we get older, and others think we can't.
😘🌿