Oncology nurses work with you and your supporters to get you through many aspects of breast cancer treatment. They are your partners in fighting cancer -- wonderful sources of knowledge and wisdom. Oncology nurses have been specially trained and certified to teach you, treat you, and help you navigate treatment and recovery. Here are 10 pieces of advice from oncology nurses on how you can get the most out of your relationship with them.
1. Communicate Clearly, Listen Carefully
Photo © National Cancer Institute, Bill Branson photographer
Learn your nurses' names, how they work to support you, and when to call them for help. Express your concerns as clearly as you can, and listen closely when your nurse explains or offers suggestions for your care. Dr. Sally Thorne, Director of the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia, says: "Nurses know the patient as embodied, in all of the mundane and undignified human functions, and are well-placed to translate that humanness and individuality back into the thinking of the medical decision-making machine. So, when nursing works well, it is the optimal 'glue' to coordinate individualized care, to support the human experience of cancer, and to safely steer the patient toward the best health possible."
2. Keep Your Scheduled Appointments
Show up on time for your scheduled appointments. When you have a treatment plan mapped out, put all your appointments on your calendar and plan other activities around your treatment. It's important to have all your treatments on schedule, as delaying or missing an appointment can make your treatments less effective. If you have any problems getting to your appointments, call as soon as a problem comes up, and work with your clinic to resolve the problem.3. Come Prepared For Your Treatments
Chemotherapy infusions can be time-consuming, and your nurses are going to be busy with practical work, so they can't be available to entertain you. Bring along your own reading materials, music and headphones, handwork, laptop computer, and snacks. If you have a chest port, don't wear a turtle neck sweater to treatments unless you also bring a shirt that you can change into, so your nurse can access your port. Likewise for breast radiation, wear a loose-fitting and easily removable shirt or blouse, and remove any skin creams or powders that you've used on your breast skin.4. Bring Your Health Journal
Your health journal is a good place to keep track of your treatment schedule, but you should also write up your side effects and other symptoms. For each symptom, such as fatigue, nausea, or diarrhea, keep a log of when the symptom started and how it felt. Note if the symptom was mild, moderate, or severe. Giving this information to your nurse helps him or her to adjust your treatment and provide you with additional medications or self-care advice, if needed.5. Ask Questions About Everything
Your nurses are the people to ask for information about drugs, blood counts, self-care, side effects prevention, what to do in case of emergencies, and where to find local resources. So, don't be shy -- ask your nurses about all these things. If you can, write down your questions in advance of your appointment, and bring two copies of your questions with you. Your nurse can read one copy, and you can take notes on the other copy of your question list.6. Take Notes and Keep Instructions
Photo © National Cancer Institute, Bill Branson photographer
As you start treatments, your nurse may teach you about the drugs or technology used in your care. Save any instructions you are given, and file those in your health journal for future reference. If you don't understand any instructions or special cautions, feel free to ask your nurse for an explanation. Take notes when your nurse mentions coping strategies or ways to take extra good care of your self.
7. Keep It Real
Try to have realistic, but hopeful expectations of your nurses. Nurses can be true heroes of cancer treatment, but they can't do magic. They aren't mind-readers, but they will try to know who you are as a person and treat you with respect. Don't blame your nurse for your treatment side effects, but do ask for help with your symptoms. Nurses are your allies in the fight against cancer -- people in whom you can place a reasonable amount of trust.8. Learn Your Medical Terms
Oncology nurses and technicians are well educated in aspects of your care. They sometimes use medical terms to discuss your treatment or symptoms. If you take a little time to learn some common medical terms that relate to your care, you may be able to more easily discuss and understand what your nurses are talking about. Using medical terms properly can also show your nurses that you are genuinely interested in their work and your care. It also helps you understand a bit more of the information in your medical records.9. Take Responsibility, Toss Out Assumptions
From diagnosis to recovery, you'll be seeing many different nurses and technicians. You can help them give you the best care by remembering that nurses specialize in different aspects of cancer care. Don't assume that every nurse knows your whole story, so remember details such as which veins work best for blood draws, what arm is used for blood pressure checks, what your daily medications are, how your weight has changed recently, and what your challenges have been to date. If it helps, write up these types of details, or have a family member go along with you to help answer questions. You can take responsibility for keeping communication flowing freely and trying to prevent misunderstandings.10. Be Honest All of the Time
Perhaps you skipped a pill, or just forgot to take it. Or you might have pain, but don't want to complain too much. You might have some anxiety about your upcoming treatment, but would rather not admit to it. Treatments and technology may confuse or scare you, but you want to get rid of the cancer. How should you handle this? Be honest with your nurses. Tell them clearly how you're feeling. Your nurse needs to know how you're handling your treatment experience, so changes can be made or so they can reassure you about your care plan. Oncology nurses have seen a good many patients, and have many ideas and solutions that may benefit you. Take advantage of their experience by just being honest.Express Your Gratitude
You might not think that cancer clinics are a good place to be during holidays, but I've seen nurses and patients celebrate together not just at New Year's but at all times of the year. Try to share any good news, progress, or expressions of hope with your nurses, as well as with your fellow patients. Your oncology nurses will appreciate your gratitude for their work. They fight cancer, as you do, on a daily basis. Thanking your nurses with a kind word, a note, or some special treat is always a good way to express your gratitude for their care on your behalf.-
Sources:Right On Time, Your Chemotherapy Success. Patient Information Booklet. Copyright 2004, Oncology Education Services, Inc.
Time-related communication skills from the cancer patient perspective. Sally Thorne, T. Gregory Hislop, Kelli Stajduhar, Valerie Oglov. Psycho-Oncology, Vol. 9999, Aug 13, 2008.
Toward Effective Professional-Patient Communication in Cancer Care. Executive Summary (2001-2005). Dr. Sally Thorne, Principal Investigator.
Pink Book - Making Health Communication Programs Work. Communication Can Affect Multiple Types of Change. National Cancer Institute. Updated 04/02/2008.
Patient-Centered Communication in Cancer Care: Promoting Healing and Reducing Suffering. Epstein RM, Street RL Jr. NIH Publication No. 07-6225, 2007.
