About Your Cancer Treatment
You may have a small team focused on your care that may simply include
your doctor and a few nurses. Or, your team may also include nurse
practitioners, counselors, and therapists. Regardless of its size, you
should be confident that your healthcare team is always there to help you.
They will give you advice and support on every aspect of your treatment. But
they need your help, too. They can only answer your questions or address
your concerns if they know about them first.
Never be afraid to ask your healthcare team about any aspect of your
condition, or about the treatment you're getting, or if other options are
available. Sometimes, you may be uncomfortable about bringing up
sensitive issues. For example, things like intimacy, pregnancy, or
attractiveness to your partner. It's OK if you're a little bit
embarrassed. Just remember that the members of your healthcare
team are comfortable discussing these topics. They also have resources
to help you deal with them.
You should get to know each of the team members and their roles. We've
created a handy sheet where you can write down all their names, titles,
and contact information.
It makes sense to get to know them, since you will most likely be seeing them over several weeks or more. After a while, you
can grow more and more comfortable with them. Soon you'll find you have no trouble talking to them about issues and questions
that come up during your treatment. And who knows? You may even make some great new friends.