Spending a lot of time in hospital you learn the things that you should pursue and the things you should let go. It can be really frustrating to know that something is not right with yourself and for it to be passed off as nothing everytime you raise the issue. It may be an inconvenience for your medical team when you keep at it but if you are positive that there is something funky going on then you HAVE to pursue it. It could very well SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Several years ago that very scenario played out in my life. I had been sick for a good while. It was not my normal problems and I just felt something was seriously amiss. I brought it up every clinic I had for over 6 months where I was told that it was just the natural progression of my disease. That was all good and fine, I knew that my Illness was degenerative and that it was going to happen but deep in my gut I knew that something was very wrong. I took the usual steps to trying to find the problem and fix it but when you are stonewalled everytime you raise the issue it can become very frustrating. When I knew that my doctor could not help me anymore due to the fact he didn’t think that things could be improved I decided to change consultants. This was a very tough decision and was not an easy process but after several months it happened. As I got to know my new doctor and his way of working I realised the importance of an open dialogue between a patient and their doctor and medical team. It totally changed how my concerns were dealt with and that made me feel a whole lot safer. Within months of changing doctors we found that I had contracted a possibly deadly infection. I had probably had it for at least 6 months. It almost killed me. I know if I had not pushed and pushed and then used my right to change doctors then I probably wouldn’t be here right now. It is as simple as that.
That experience taught me many things. Firstly, know and listen to your body. If you aren’t aware of your health then it makes a doctors job that much harder. If I had of just ignored my feelings I would be dead. Secondly, I learnt to stick to my guns. I knew that something was wrong and if I had of just swallowed every fob off then I would have paid the ultimate price. Keep at them. Thirdly, I learnt that you need to be willing to take action if you are not being heard. You need a doctor that listens to you. Keep trying until you find one. It will take time but you need a doctor that will communicate well and treat your relationship as a working partnership. Because that is what it should be. And don’t be afraid to remind them that it is you that has everything to lose, not them, when you feel like you are not being acknowledged as the expert of your own body.
I am writing this post today because I have come up against another “Stick to Your Guns” problem and once again I am sure I have no doubt annoyed my team with my persistence but it has paid off because I was right, there is a problem and if I had of just listened to the “it’s OK, it’s normal” routine again then I hate to think what the outcome might be. It is really important to be an expert on yourself. Know yourself. And fight for yourself. You won’t regret it. Guaranteed.
Take care, Lily.
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