I wish I could just reach out and find out what was most helpful to those of you that have completed treatment and have resumed their lives after treatment with the exception of their every 6 months or every year visit. I would love to know what you think would be helpful during your time here and how I can help. Many days I am on the phone so much that when I get home, my husband and I sometimes play - not it, to see who has to answer the phone. You see I need to hear your feedback so I can better help those of you that are going through it now. I hope that through it all that caring, and careful listening is what you are needing and that I am providing. You can also use your tools to talk to the person receiving treatment and listen with compassion and interest. It is important to include the healthcare team if it is distressing the patient or not meeting the needs. Our goal is to help you get through this difficult time and knowing what you need would be helpful. Make it the best day ever! S
Patients come in and many have similar concerns and questions but I do not give cookie cutter answers. The point of reference is coming from the patient and family and it takes some insight to figure out what they are truly needing in the answers you are providing. Many times patients will tell me, that maybe they are just crazy thinking as they do or that they are just not handling things well and even there are some that everything is always great. As a healthcare professional, I try to read through all of this and sometimes I find what is the true meaning and sometimes we have to continue talking until the real sentiment is presented and that could even take several visits. A phone call at home is quite often very welcome as the patient has now gotten home and had a little time to absorb what just transpired. I have even had patients ask that since they are done with treatment and doing well, could or would I continue to call as it helps them feel more secure knowing that someone is checking. Sometimes the family dynamics are so contained that they don't express a need but I feel it is important to still provide education and emotional support.
I wish I could just reach out and find out what was most helpful to those of you that have completed treatment and have resumed their lives after treatment with the exception of their every 6 months or every year visit. I would love to know what you think would be helpful during your time here and how I can help. Many days I am on the phone so much that when I get home, my husband and I sometimes play - not it, to see who has to answer the phone. You see I need to hear your feedback so I can better help those of you that are going through it now. I hope that through it all that caring, and careful listening is what you are needing and that I am providing. You can also use your tools to talk to the person receiving treatment and listen with compassion and interest. It is important to include the healthcare team if it is distressing the patient or not meeting the needs. Our goal is to help you get through this difficult time and knowing what you need would be helpful. Make it the best day ever! S
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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