Last Friday something weird happened. I have so far had good doctors
time, in terms of them listening to me, answering queries, clarifying
some of the up coming road map and expectations !
However, over last week I notice a different change and able to connect the dots now.
The surgeon, I called up about some discomfort I have been having with overall Chemo / Radio, who used to see me every other day post surgery, gave a cold shoulder to start with.
"This treatment package is decided based on a 100s of similar cases and fitting in a Gaussian Distribution. For a fraction of patients, it will be over treatment and less - " for some. I trust the radiologist, just go with it. If you definitely want to meet me, then come".
Called Radiologist - " I will talk to you only after 2 weeks of radiation over. Not before that."
Chemo doctor, as most of my discomfort comes from the Chemo. "We can review the Chemo schedule only after 3-4 cycles, based on the blood count and other vitals. We can give you a break but not take you off the treatment".
But then, it was not always like this when it all started. This is where I started connecting the dots. Originally when I went through surgery, I was given some timelines, "Next week you ll be able to walk. This tube will come out in a few more days" etc.
And I notice, post surgery period is actually progressive in nature. Which means, everyday you see some "positive" movement in your condition. Managing patient emotion during progress is much easier job.
While, they all know, way too better what I did, that "Chemo and Radio" are going to be regressive in nature. Everyday the discomfort would increase - bit by bit.
So, the patient management started early. Its easy for me to go back in time and connect the dots now.
Originally they kept saying, you just need a couple of radiations. They kept mentioning Chemo word sparingly. As the planning closed, they mentioned, there will be a weekly injection (did not name it "Chemo") to aid radiation.
By, the time the final plan was presented, 6 and half weeks of radio and chemo, they told me, we will do a second CT Scan after 10 - 12 days, and see if there is any revision possible.
If chemo is bothering, we will review after the 4th cycle. All that to, now - "Lets talk only after 2 weeks."
Its actually tough for a doctor to manage patient emotion in a regressive condition. When something gets better each day, one can paint a story, a hope !
Now, I know the reviews are for me to look forwards to something intermittent during this phase (knowing this does not help ). The review result is going to be "lets continue with the complete course".
I will not even be surprised if towards the end of the cycles, they say they want to "review" after the course, which in my mind is "End of treatment" !!!
However, over last week I notice a different change and able to connect the dots now.
The surgeon, I called up about some discomfort I have been having with overall Chemo / Radio, who used to see me every other day post surgery, gave a cold shoulder to start with.
"This treatment package is decided based on a 100s of similar cases and fitting in a Gaussian Distribution. For a fraction of patients, it will be over treatment and less - " for some. I trust the radiologist, just go with it. If you definitely want to meet me, then come".
Called Radiologist - " I will talk to you only after 2 weeks of radiation over. Not before that."
Chemo doctor, as most of my discomfort comes from the Chemo. "We can review the Chemo schedule only after 3-4 cycles, based on the blood count and other vitals. We can give you a break but not take you off the treatment".
But then, it was not always like this when it all started. This is where I started connecting the dots. Originally when I went through surgery, I was given some timelines, "Next week you ll be able to walk. This tube will come out in a few more days" etc.
And I notice, post surgery period is actually progressive in nature. Which means, everyday you see some "positive" movement in your condition. Managing patient emotion during progress is much easier job.
While, they all know, way too better what I did, that "Chemo and Radio" are going to be regressive in nature. Everyday the discomfort would increase - bit by bit.
So, the patient management started early. Its easy for me to go back in time and connect the dots now.
Originally they kept saying, you just need a couple of radiations. They kept mentioning Chemo word sparingly. As the planning closed, they mentioned, there will be a weekly injection (did not name it "Chemo") to aid radiation.
By, the time the final plan was presented, 6 and half weeks of radio and chemo, they told me, we will do a second CT Scan after 10 - 12 days, and see if there is any revision possible.
If chemo is bothering, we will review after the 4th cycle. All that to, now - "Lets talk only after 2 weeks."
Its actually tough for a doctor to manage patient emotion in a regressive condition. When something gets better each day, one can paint a story, a hope !
Now, I know the reviews are for me to look forwards to something intermittent during this phase (knowing this does not help ). The review result is going to be "lets continue with the complete course".
I will not even be surprised if towards the end of the cycles, they say they want to "review" after the course, which in my mind is "End of treatment" !!!
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