I think I'm some ways it's a blessing to have a dr. In the family and in some ways it's a curse. I used to be a nurse so I've seen this disease from both sides as well. The thing drs don't realize is that it's totally different being a patient - they assume - he's a dr. So he knows. Guess what.. ? When you hear cancer all rational though leaves for a bit. Then despite any knowledge you may have in the field - unless you have hands on day to day experience with the
Is particular type of cancer - you will still not likely have the knowledge someone works with it day to day will. Though they may assume you do. In someways it helps not to let them know you have a medical background. To this day my ENT doesn't know I used to be a nurse though he did ask me a few times - what is it you do for a living, again? (His fellow knew as I told him the first time I met him he could talk to me in medical terms as I understood the lingo - )
The upside to them knowing of course is here's a certain comraderie and the drive to do their best because "he's one of ours" not to say that the drs and hospitals don't all want to do their best for their patients but I think in some way it hits home more if you know he person.
And to be honest as I said some drs. Do what they do. Other disciplines deal with other things - what they don't realize is not all patients have the knowledge to ask for referrals - they just accept that my shoulder is screwed etc..