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Tips From Nurses
Tips from Nurses on Working with Your Medical Team
These tips are from nurse breast specialists Linda Fiske, RN, MSN, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center; Sandra Walters, RN, Andre Center for Breast Education and Navigation; and Peggy Thomas, RN, Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs.
Be sure the cancer doctor you want to see takes your insurance. If not, you will need to select another doctor and schedule an appointment, which takes extra time.
Find a competent, caring, and compassionate staff. All offices are busy, but find out how things work. If you know in advance about the office "rules" for returned calls, off-hour calls, and the like, you'll be better able to work with the system.
Get to know the nurses. The oncology nurse or breast health navigator can be your best advocate, can answer most of your questions, and will call you back in a timely manner. Let the nurses educate you. You will spend more time with them than with the doctor. Use this to your advantage.
Seek out a nurse who specializes in breast cancer and understands a breast cancer diagnosis. These nurses act as educators and coordinators. They may be available through hospital systems, usually the breast center. You can also go to www.andrecenter.org, a non-profit community outreach program, to find out more about how a nurse specializing in breast cancer can help you.
Be organized. Have a notebook with sections for each doctor. Write down questions for each doctor to make the best use of your time with the doctor. If you have lots of questions, you may need to schedule extra time for your appointment. Let the doctor know early in each appointment what is on your mind.
Be honest and open even if it is embarrassing at first. Your medical team cannot guess what you need; you have to let them know. Let the staff know how you are feeling emotionally and physically. Report all symptoms to your doctor. Use "I" statements to communicate, such as "I feel, I think, I need." Communicate in a positive way. If you are respectful of your team, you should be able to expect the same from them.
Never be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something, ask for an explanation. It's OK to ask questions more than once. Your doctors and others know that repetition is necessary and helpful.
Bring a friend or family member with you to appointments, because two sets of ears are better than one. Always have a paper and pen so you can write down your questions and answers. It may even help to bring a tape recorder so you can review the discussion when you get home.
Keep lists of recent tests and where they were done, all of your medications and allergies, and contact information for your pharmacist and other health care professionals on your team. Provide each doctor with information on your health history and lifestyle, including the use of over-the-counter supplements and complementary care. Get and keep copies of all of your films and reports.
If you are very comfortable with your doctor, don't feel like you have to get a second opinion, but it is always OK to request a second opinion. Your primary care physician can help in referring you to experienced specialists, but the choice of doctors and treatments is yours. You don't have to accept any recommendation you are not comfortable with. Your doctor should always be on your side if you are seeking the best standard-of-care treatment from physicians who specialize in breast cancer treatment.
You are an important part of your medical team. The doctors will treat the disease, but they should treat you as a whole person, because you are not your disease. You are in charge of your health and your life. Remember, you are a part of your medical team and should be comfortable speaking up on your behalf.
Take care of your emotional health, too. You might have many different feelings during your breast cancer journey. Common emotions that go with a cancer diagnosis are fear, anxiety, worry, anger, denial, depression, grief, and loss. You might seem to be up on some days and down on others. Remember these feelings are normal. Sometimes it's easier to share the emotional burden with family and friends, and they can be part of your adjustment and recovery. Sometimes these emotions turn into depression, and an antidepressant may benefit you during this time. Talk to your physician or the oncology nurses. They can help you through this or find resources for you.