Be the CEO of Your Care!

OK so chemo is horrific enough but when the treatment center is chaos, well you can only imagine. I am having my treatment at Rush University Hospital--it came highly recommended and is only a few blocks from my office which helps me tremendously.  The downside? A city hospital is jammed to the rafters with patients and cases. It creates a chaotic atmosphere where you need a calm one.  Also, most of the health care pros are wonderful--they really are doing what they are meant to do--but as in any other facet of life, you get the few who act like you are part of an assembly line.  Do your utmost to avoid those people. They see terrible things daily so they can be desensitized to what is hurting you.  Too bad--let them know.  Needles hurt. Bad and too hasty stabbing of the veins is twice as tough for a chemo patient who is already battered emotionally and physically. No treatment facility wants anyone to be vocal or sound like they are in pain (visualize running from the dentist's waiting room when you hear the drill and screaming!!) but do NOT be afraid to let people know when the care isn't what you think it needs to be.  Who can we depend on if not those who are supposed to be more educated than we are in this?  Here's what helps me stay sane:  Handsome men all taking care of me...