The Alzheimer s Association had previously referred me to a specialist for the treatment of persons with Alzheimers, who had recommended a pain management program in my aunt s case. I told the oncologist that I believed Margie was not strong enough to take the treatment plan she was proposing. I understand that a surgeon cuts, an oncologist may be used to the idea of pursuing every possible treatment to eradicate a tumor, and a dentist usually removes bad teeth. But it seems to me that what they all forgot in this case was Margie - the 84 year old woman with a bad heart, who is unable to walk 10 feet without tiring, and who has advanced Alzheimer s. I prefer to think they were just focused on fixing the teeth and curing the cancer, but there is the worse possibility that what they were all really focused on was the money they would make by treating my aunt.
Physicians are only human, and as such they can make mistakes.
The result can be a long and painful recovery, or even a l ong and tortuous death. They can, however, also be nasty, abusive and self-serving, and in those cases you should report them. We need to be advocates for our own well-being and the treatment of those we care for. We need to require that our doctors regard us as their partner in determining the best treatment in every individual situation.