Earlier this summer I was invited to write a guest blog post for cancerwise, a blog sponsored by MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. So I submitted a post titled "Doctor Says, 'Stop Whining.'"
From the post:
Slouched on the exam table, I take a quick breath and sit up as the door squeaks open. My oncologist smiles and asks, "How are you, Wendy?"
This is a routine check-up. My cancer is in remission. The last thing I want to do is complain.
My oncologist sits down and looks at me expectantly. I hesitate before telling him about the persistent pain we've talked about at past visits. As for my new symptom, I'm almost too embarrassed to bring it up. But I do.
Why did I choose to talk about a symptom so strange that my Google search yielded no links to reputable sites? Why did I bring up a minor problem after we'd achieved our main goal and my cancer was in remission?
To read the rest of the essay and/or post a comment on the MD Anderson blog, click here.
To see the video,Talking about Side Effects, click here.
To see the pocketguide, Talking about Side Effects, click here.
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