Your care will involve a team of specialists. Each of them is committed to you and your family having the most positive experience possible. You can have the best relationship with these people by taking an active part in your care. Time, privacy restraints, or personality differences may make some relationships more satisfying than others. Please speak up to your doctor or nurse if you feel there is a problem.
These guidelines will help you be an effective member of your health care team:
- Follow your doctor's instructions.
- Report any symptoms, even if they seem unimportant, to your doctor. It may help to write symptoms down when they occur and to bring the list to your appointment.
- Talk to your doctor about pain or feelings of hopelessness-there is help!
- Learn about your diagnosis, including cell type and stage.
- Understand your treatment options and the goal of treatment (cure, control, comfort).
- Learn about treatment side effects.
- Understand your medications, including dose, schedule, side effects, and reason for taking them.
- Discuss all over-the-counter medications and alternative treatments with your doctor in advance.
- Ask questions of your heath care team.
- Prepare for your appointments. Bring a list of questions or concerns.
- Bring someone with you to appointments to help you record and understand information.
- Know which symptoms need to be reported to your doctor immediately and which can wait until your next visit or regular office hours.
- Be honest-with your health care team, your family, and yourself.
- Take care of yourself, physically and emotionally.
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