[quote=ChristineB]My line of thought on this is the doctors focus on the cancer and ignore the collateral damage part of treatment. Unless they are pushed, many physicians only discuss the cancer and their plan of action. Ive noticed nurses tend to take up the role of explaining all the other little lovelies that go along with treatments.

...But overall, its so much better to have these problems and have to deal with them than to have not made it thru.[/quote]

This is perhaps the most profound thing I have ever heard. Thanks Christine!

Doctors are highly trained and educated in medicine. Many times, they have their minds and hands tied up in being current with treatment modalities and medicine to use during and after treatment.

Nurses, on the other hand, tend to follow many patients in terms of side effects and have seen about everything possible and what works for some, so they adapt to this role easily.

Everyone needs to know a good oncology nurse through this. They really focus on comfort care, in my opinion, and we'd be in a world of hurt without them. I, personally, have never had to experience a bad or even questionable oncology nurse so I am extremely biased.

Use a nurse...love a nurse...PRN!

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
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ORN 12/2017
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Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
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