Quick Links
Resources
About MyMyelomaTeam
Powered By
After my Oncologist visit and all the changes we made about issues I have pointed out for years, I got to thinking having a patient advocate, one who has MM for visits would be a good thing. Docs, NP's, assistants tend to be focused on the medical side. Explaining other issues: side effects, experience with procedures, alternatives, etc is not their bailiwick.
You never walk alone NEVER GlVE 🔝
I amend my first post. My husband was with me for the hour long BMB. It was worse than having a baby.
I was lucky. My sister is a retired nurse and was with me every step of the way. She heard things I didn’t and asked questions I didn’t think of.
I absolutely agree with you! I have never had anyone accompany me to my appointments, whether it’s the Oncologist or Cardiologist. When I went with my Aunt who had stage 4 ovarian cancer and the doctor told her to skip chemo and call Hospice, she ignored everything he said. She may never have heard it. He knew she was too far gone for chemo to work. She tried it 40 years before with breast cancer and was only able to tolerate 2 or 3 treatments before she wasn’t able anymore. Combine that with how late her stage was, the doctor did not want her to have treatment. He wanted her to focus on quality of life. She ended up being treated 2 or 3 times. It was too much. She lost all her hair, suffered greatly and received no benefit. Her son would not advocate for her, so I did my best. I asked her what would make her happy. She said she wanted a family party. I gave her a huge family party and she was full of joy! After that, family decided to stop and visit her, seeing how much joy it gave her. She only had morphine the last 2 days of her life. Having an advocate makes all the difference at the doctors office and at home.
Paula🌹
Having a patient advocate, especially when first diagnosed with myeloma, is highly recommended by many patients. Here are some reasons why:
1. **Support and Assistance**: A patient advocate can provide emotional support during appointments, which can be particularly comforting when dealing with the initial shock and com... read more
This AI-generated response comes from MyMyelomaTeam and other selected sources. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.
