Know your rights as a cancer patient

If You Have Cancer If you have cancer it is not a death sentence unless you are being treated as if it is. I recently lost the man I love and he didn't die from cancer. He died because everyone knew he had lung cancer. From the minute that he was diagnosed he was treated as a disease not a person, like someone who was dying. They took the one thing he needed to fight the cancer away from him HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! As a cancer patient you have rights!!! You have the right to be treated as a person. The right to have all of your questions answered in an honest but positive way. You have the right to have the anxiety that comes with the diagnoses treated and not ignored. You have the right to know that there are other places that treat the whole person and never give up as long as you don't. One of these places is right here in Seattle. I wish I had been told sooner and my man would still be alive. I have no doubt about that at all. And above all you not only have the right to die if you choose but you have the right to fight to live!!! It was my man's determination to exercise that right that led to his death!! Don't let this happen to you!!! Fight to live!!!! It is your right!!!!!

Yes, our medical world has learned to treat cancer, and not the person with the cancer. Doctors take hope from us and then wonder why we do not survive any longer. I was given 2-6 weeks last August. But I found The Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. It was there I was treated with respect and offered hope. Dr. Chen and Dr. Brignall gave me hope. They made me feel like a person instead of a statistic. They talked with me not at me. Good Luck with continuing your life, your man would want you to continue to thrive and keep his memory alive. You can do that and some day go on to love again.

Very true...Lillian would like to thank you for your post. Her computer is down and I'm helping her out. Thank you and God Bless, your health....

The medical care problems and negative treatment I received was by an HMO. The doctors there would not offer me anything, as I am a 77 year-old man. They did not take into consideration that I am healthy and most men in their 50's don't have as much energy as I do. My energy is low right now, I have had 4 rounds of chemo, but have experienced a reduction in my pancreatic tumor. I have not given up and I am intending to fight. I am also use to fighting and winning. The HMO has had to come around and offer the treatment protocol I found on my own. And Doctors do change, or can change. My Oncologist at the HMO is on my side now and that has made a big difference. Good Luck to each of you and God Bless You!

Lillian, I am sorry about your loss. He didn't get the treatment and attention that he had the right to. It is angering to think that some Doctors "bedside manner" is without thought of the patients physical and emotional needs, and that conditions go untreated because the Doc says there is no hope. They say why treat something when that person will die anyway. Fortunately My Mom had wonderful Doctors throughout her cancer treatments. Her Oncologist was the best. His staff and patients called him by his first name at his request because he felt that the title of Dr. was too business like and he wanted a close family surrounding for his patients and their families. The treatment room there resembled a living room and the patients would just be chatting away and acting as if they were in the comforts of their own home. I went with my Mom for her treatments and was even able to sit with her and talk to everybody else too. It was great. There were even refreshments. The man was such a great help to my whole family with my Moms treatment plan. Everybody was included and he took the time to answer every question and if something came up he would act on it. Nothing went untreated and all concerns were handled. He was simply the best. There should be more like him. My Mom had Adenocarcinoma of the lungs and there was no cure for it. Her primary tumor was behind her trachea and was inoperable. She went through the chemo and radiation to extend her time, but we knew eventually that there would be tumors that could not be treated or removed. But she received what I believe to be the best of care. Knowing patient rights is very important as is checking around for the best doctors. I’m sure your message will be a big help to others. Michaelle

Dear Lillian: I am sorry for your loss. My husband has stage 4 stomach cancer and some of the dr's that he has seen have been negative also. I just don't get it! I am interested in the cancer hospital you suggested in Seattle in your message, as we live in Alaska and it would not be a difficult flight for him. Thanks for your time, Marci

I read your information previous posted about hope. I thought it was wonderful and would like to share it with a group of survivors in our newsletter. Could I have your permission to do this?

Hi Betty I emailed you but just in case you did not get it I will be honored for you to use my words. The more they reach the better. Lillian

Hi, I am feeling very sad tonight. We just had a friend opened up with terminal cancer growths everywhere. She refused to go anywhere she could get the treatment type you discuss. We went 8 hours to a hospital that cared for myhusband as a person and me as a person. It was wonderful and comforting. We left a smaller hospital 2 hrs from home that was teating the diseast like ti was fun to trest. Oh good you have cancer. (I didn't hear hope from this closer doctor.) My sister in law is fighting breat tumor cancer. She lost her breast 22 years ago and it came back. She too won't go out of town. She may not be able to go anywhere much longer. She is weaking. She is constipated all the time and food is not important to her. So far her attitude is ok. I just want to cry. Rose