Welcome to the first edition of The Myeloma Beacon’s “Weekly Poll”. This week’s question is about how involved you are in decisions about your myeloma treatment.
In the question, you should interpret "physician" to be the main physician -- or group of physicians -- you work with in regard to your myeloma.
Also, when the word "I" is used in the question, feel free to interpret it as "I and my family" or "I and my husband/wife".
The goal of the question is to shed light on how much decisions are developed and made primarily by physicians, and how much they are developed and made by yourself and your family.
Please answer the question above, and then feel free to add whatever comments you feel might be relevant or helpful in the discussion below.
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7 posts
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Re: Weekly Poll - Your Involvement In Treatment Decisions
In the beginning, I had to rely on my physician to make treatment suggestions and explain why she suggested those treatment options. Then I'd go home and look them up on the Internet to learn more. Now I know a lot more. I can often predict what some of my test results are going to be based on symptoms, and I know when treatment time is approaching before my physician even mentions it. I go in knowing what many of the treatment options are along with some of the side effects associated with each. Of course, my physician is still very good at explaining why certain options may not be the best in my case. So although I know a lot more now and am much more involved in the treatment decision process, I still value and rely heavily on my physician's advice. Ultimately, we come to an agreement on what treatment to pursue.
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Shane
Re: Weekly Poll - Your Involvement In Treatment Decisions
We also, in the beginning, were at the mercy of the physicians. Oncologist reacted immediately and for that we are very grateful. During the initial chemo treatments had the opportunity to become more educated on myeloma and stem cell transplant. So went into the process pretty much knowing what to expect. Don't know what folks did prior to the internet in getting so much more information than the medical community has time to share. We still rely on the recommendations of the physicains - all the while still learning as we go.
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Kansas - Name: Rex
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Weekly Poll - Your Involvement In Treatment Decisions
I agree with Shane, starting at now that I know more.
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suzierose - Name: suzierose
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011
Re: Weekly Poll - Your Involvement In Treatment Decisions
At first I was overwhelmed and lost in a sea of information the more I found out the less I understood. I was fortunate that friends worked in my main hospital and provided links to the right sites, and to the hospital's library, the right knowledge provided much peace of mind. Prior to every procedure every doctor, nurse, or, technician explained in detail what was happening and always asked if I wanted to proceed. ALL OF THE STAFF are unique people who understand what we are going through and provide the best support.I am a stem cell transplant patient,feeling well and owe my life to the people at the Trillium and Princess Margaret Hospital's in Toronto.
Peter
Peter
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dpwhite@Rogers.com
Re: Weekly Poll - Your Involvement In Treatment Decisions
It was difficult to choose just one. Our local onocologist usually discusses a couple of options for us. As time goes on, we know more and more of the treatments so we ask alot of questions and make suggestions. So on the surface it seems as if we all decide together. In the end, it has been our decision. For example, we put off the stem cell transplant treatment until we felt it was the best option even though it had been recommended earlier. When we met with a multiple myeloma specialist--we had already decided on the treatment option for us but wanted advice on timing which he gave us and we went with it. We definitely see it as a team approach with the strength of the roles varying depending upon the situation.
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Pushkin - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Weekly Poll - Your Involvement In Treatment Decisions
My physician and I together develop my treatment options, but I make the decision about my treatment
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Jon - Name: Jon
- When were you/they diagnosed?: mar 2005
- Age at diagnosis: 60
7 posts
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