TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMS – PRACTITIONERS AND TREATMENT
If you would have accepted a common-sense explanation for it before, you probably should now.
I’m afraid that many doctors and other practitioners who treat people with cancer behave as though symptoms are not important. These practitioners don’t ask about them and will treat you in an inattentive and impatient manner if you try to tell them about the symptoms that are worrying you.
You will have to keep reminding yourself of three things in order to get your symptoms the attention they deserve. Firstly, any symptom that is uncomfortable, restricts your activity, keeps you awake, makes you feel anxious because you don’t know what it means or worries you in any other way, is important. Secondly, because no one else can see or feel your symptoms, they will only know about them if you tell them. Thirdly, your practitioner’s job is to care for you as a whole person, not just to treat your cancer. It is never a waste of his or her time to talk about your symptoms. In fact, your symptoms and their treatment should be discussed every time you see your practitioner.
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