I just took a few minutes to
review my doctor’s notes in MyChart (online med records) Did she really say all
of that? Honestly? My recollection of the discussion really boils down to “Cancer
. . . cancer. You’ll be OK. Any questions? Great I’ll see you in 6 months.” When
I read the notes I see all of these descriptions of treatments with side
effects and so forth. Having read a lot on line already none of that seems new
or strange, but did she really say that? Did I really hear it?
I am certain that there were two
different experiences going on. One the professional who has memorized all of
the required discussion material and gets it out as fast and fully as possible and
then there is the patient who sits like a deer in the headlights. A third party
might see the two operating without knowledge of the other, or they may see two
individuals interacting appropriately. It doesn’t matter. I know she went over
stuff and I know that I did not hear her nearly as well as she or I thought. So
read the notes, be sure that you understand what the treatment options are and
what the recommended plan is and then follow it.
How hard could that be? We as humans are capable of knowing and ignoring facts at the same time. I was working in a hospital ICU once when I heard a family member, a para medic at that, describing his wife's condition over the phone. I knew the situation and was impressed with his clinical and accurate description of the extremely critical condition. When he was through he assured the listener that "She's fighter, she's going to get better." All I could think was, did he not just describe a quadriplegic? How is she getting better? He knew her condition but he didn't comprehend her condition. Listen to the doctor, but allow the information to process, check it against some reality.
