Patient Education Question

[sacrdhazel]

I am a student but was asked a question by a patient and did not know how to properly answer, was wondering if you pro's can help me out...

A patient on chemo tells me, I feel fine like the cancer is gone but its the chemo meds that make me feel like utter death, I jyst dont want to take them anymore. Do you think I should stop treatment?

At this point, I stared at her blankly and said, well, that you would have to discuss with your primary doctor. But are there any supportive educational answers I could give about the importance of chemo for her therapy?

Any responses would be great! Thanks!

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

sacrdhazel,

When someone has cancer people often say that if the disease doesn't kill you then the cure will...and it's the truth. Chemo and other forms of therapy are aimed at killing cancer cells, but many of the treatments kill ALL of the cells, leaving these patients very, very ill indeed.

Unfortunately, these treatments the docs prescribe are the best that medical science has come up with to date.

Your response to your patient was appropriate, and perhaps you could add that she should talk to her family as well.

What we know is this:

Everyone responds differently to any given therapy.

What works for one doesn't work for everyone.

People need to be informed in order to make the best decisions regarding their care.

No treatment might make you feel better in the short term, but what about later on?

It sounds as if you did the right thing. I know that when my aunt was suffering with breast cancer it was very hard to see her suffer so much with the treatment she was prescribed. Her breast cancer is now in remission and she has resumed FT work as an RN at the hospital she's worked for now for 20 plus years.

Good luck!