3-29-10 - Day 11 of Radiation
As I walked in the CBCC (Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center) I was greeted by receptionists who seemed resistant to connect me with a medical social worker. Many thanks to Kathleen Stout, a cancer survivor, for recommending this route because I think she will be a great advocate for my father. Unfortunately it was not so easy, no thanks to the CBCC front office staff, to get connected with her.
After the medication messup (having him crush up time-released capsules of pain medicine to put in his feeding tube to a point of dosage that could have killed him until finally he noticed the pharmacy put on a "do not crush this pill" tab) and lack of communication between the different doctors, I do not feel confident about the capabilities of some CBCC staff. So we shall proceed carefully as they seem to expect us to take the reins and make things happen.
Elle, the radiation nurse, was very kind and helpful in answering my list of questions. She was efficient about prescribing the medications my dad requested and encouraging him to try the Duragesic pads for pain instead of messing with crushing Motrin and Tylenol.
3-30-10 - Day 12 of Radiation
Staci had a breakthrough with the chemotherapy department today, thanks to her and Shannon, the social worker.
His first, and maybe only, chemotherapy appointment is scheduled for Thursday, April 1. The family orientation is at 8:00. Aunt Linda and Staci are planning/ hoping to go.
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How great that you have Jessica advocating for you Jim!! Get better and get home!! Gary S
ReplyDeleteSo many times, the care a person gets comes down to having someone there to fight for what's right. Medical professionals mean well, but they sometimes forget that each patient is a person who deserves respect and care.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy for them to see them just as a problem to solve - a name on the computer screen - something less than a person.
Often, it just comes down to there being one person who tells them to stop - and to see the patient as a human being - and to see past the impersonal nature of health care. To open their eyes and see the situation for what it really is.
Keep swinging, Jessica. Keep opening their eyes.
Get better soon, Jim.
Thank you all for the support and wonderful comments. What my dad does to fight the cancer is difficult enough without the additional battles of the medical world! This is one of the major problems with healthcare in this country! If we all had a little more time and resources, tasks could be accomplished with so much more dignity, respect, and care.
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