Written By Alan Good
It happens. You are faced with a serious medical challenge and must face medical practitioners about it. Are you receiving all the information you need or are you missing something? Could important, life changing information be missed because you were too stressed to take it all in?
Continuing the theme of medical appointments and following a book written by Doctors Samantha Winemaker and Hsien Seow called, “Hope for the Best Plan for the Rest”, the term “solo ager” was used. But not just those living alone need someone to help them wade through important facts about their challenge.
The news itself may cause your mind to wonder off. You may become concerned with future treatments and what your life may look like, or worried about the past and what you had wanted to accomplish with your life. At times like these, most need time to think—and perhaps someone to interpret what was said by medical staff.
During my recent occurrence and subsequent surgery, I was fortunate to have my wife alongside every step of the way. Even while I recovered and returned for follow up appointments, Pam was able to ask questions and hear what I missed.
Not that I was incompetent or unable to discern what was said. But the extra ears helped clarify things and aid in making better decisions.
If faced with a life-changing illness, anything from a chronic ailment such as Crohn’s disease or diabetes, or a progressive illness like declining health issues, to a life-limiting sickness—something that will eventually take your life, will you be able to hear what you need to make the right decisions? Are you able to ask the right questions?
Some may be uncertain they want to hear or know more. The head-in-the-sand attitude may be people who would rather, “avoid asking the big questions, or who are in denial after being told”, the book relates. This creates more fear and anxiety about future events.
According to the doctors, “information is the most important medicine”. The key is to “walk two roads” in that you hope for the best and plan for the rest. They admit you can’t plan for every possibility.
On the other side, in their book, they state too much positivity from those who support a person facing life-challenging decisions, “is not a healthy way to deal with challenges”. False cheerleading leads to false hope, they add. Saying things such as, “You’ll get through this!” or “It will change for the better!”, not only creates false hope but sets people up for disappointment.
A trusted supporter can help decern the truth about treatments, timeframes and projected outcomes. They should be able to ask the right questions and reiterate your concerns and needs, truthfully and with care. Next edition, get the big picture and know yourself.
