During a recent show on Oprah, Dr. Oz (famous medical doctor, surgeon and author) stated that only 10% of patients get a second opinion. Don’t you think that is a terrible statistic? I do.
When a patient has a dire medical situation, they begin a very intimate relationship with their doctor. The communication between the patient and doctor is of upmost importance. Here are the questions you should ask yourself regarding your doctor.
Can the doctor explain the medical jargon in plain English?
Does the doctor make you feel comfortable?
Is he/she up to date on the latest information regarding your disease?
With childhood leukemia there are national studies being done and they set guidelines for treatment. Every time I went to the clinic for my daughter, I was always met with “this is the protocol” to almost every objection or concern that I had. I then called Cure Search (for pediatric cancer http://www.curesearch.org/) and asked the oncology nurse about these “protocols” and if there is any leeway? She said that judgment is always expected and yes there is leeway within the protocol. Even with that information, I was told over and over again that the protocol is the protocol, which is true but I also could have been given more information regarding my very real concerns, while staying within the treatment guidelines.
(For help with adult cancers go to http://www.cancer.gov/)
Breast Cancer 2nd Opinion
A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and told to start chemo. Her doctor wanted to wait and see how her tumor responded to chemo. He also said that her cancer was aggressive. The mother of four children wanted to know why chemo was so important while waiting to see what the tumor would do? This is the question that was not answered to her satisfaction. It seemed a waste of time to do chemo instead of a mastectomy. She decided to get a second opinion with a well-known oncologist, who recommended a mastectomy and no chemo. How simple is that! Her treatment time involved weeks and a rapid recovery.
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong tells his cancer story in his book, It’s Not About The Bike. He describes in detail his diagnosis and first consultation. He describes the whirlwind of diagnosis, money, tests, and research, which revolved around his cancer. He decides to get a second opinion and he details why. All of this is happening, while knowing that his cancer is very aggressive and spreading so fast it is now in his lungs, brain and testicles. No one told him at the time but his chances of survival were only 3%.
The second opinion went much better for him. He decides to get treatment with the second doctor. And of course he lives, and becomes an International Champion. (Don’t you love a happy ending?) I loved his book because I felt like I was traveling a similar road with a kindred soul.
National Protocol
We did not hit it off with Kayla’s first doctor from the beginning of her treatment. He was very abrupt, with visible ups and downs that were then transfered to us. Sometimes he would surprise us with very negative statements regarding Kayla’s prognosis without any warning. These caused additional stress for our family. Because I was told that leukemia treatment follows a national protocol that every doctor uses, I thought there were no options. This was a huge mistake.
To this day, I really regret not getting a second opinion early in treatment. Now in hindsight, I can see that a national protocol does not mean there is no leeway within the treatment parameters. What matters is having a doctor that is willing to really care for his patient as an individual, while at the same time handling the family with discretion and care.
Conclusion
Don’t be one of the ninety percent of people who do not get a second opinion. If you have any misgivings regarding your medical team, go with your gut and take immediate action. Go get a second opinion, or a third or fourth. It could mean the world of difference for you.
An excellent book to help you on this whole subject is YOU: The Smart Patient: An Insider’s Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment by Michael F. Roizen (Author), Mehmet C. Oz (Author) Available through www.Amazon.com
It’s not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong available though www.Amazon.com