As part chief of colorectal surgical procedure at UVA Well being, Charles Friel, MD, was no stranger to the colon most cancers journey. However to really perceive what battling most cancers is like, lived expertise is the best trainer. Not too long ago, Friel himself was recognized and went by therapy for colon most cancers at UVA Well being.
As he informed his story, Friel shared 6 key selections that formed how his journey unfolded. These turning factors illustrate the alternatives all of us have in our personal healthcare. Even for a health care provider, the alternatives had been troublesome and typically uncomfortable. However his story additionally consists of moments of empowerment and help.
In his personal phrases, Friel describes his journey and these most vital moments.
Choice #1: Making Time for Colon Most cancers Screening
I’ve a historical past of ulcerative colitis. I used to be in my late 50s and I had not had a colonoscopy, I am embarrassed to say, for about 10 years. I used to be not feeling unhealthy. I had no signs, nothing in any respect. Like many males of their 50s which can be working exhausting, I wasn’t seeing my physician frequently.
I bought my colonoscopy largely as a result of my spouse jogged my memory that I used to be manner behind. I am in the correct age bracket for colorectal most cancers. I scheduled an appointment with my physician and bought my scope
Outcomes of that Choice: I used to be recognized with colorectal most cancers. Thank goodness I listened to my spouse. My therapy was simply surgical procedure. I did not want any extra chemotherapy. I did not want any extra radiation. That basically did expedite my restoration. I believe if I had waited for much longer, it might’ve been extra superior and troublesome to deal with.
Choice #2: The place to Get Care
In truth, I did not even hesitate. I knew who I needed to be concerned in my care. I have been working right here for 23 years. I’ve made a whole lot of friendships with lots of people on this area. I knew them personally, and I knew they had been all wonderful medical doctors.
Tracy Hedrick, MD, chief of common surgical procedure, is a accomplice of mine for a few years. I first met her when she was an intern, and now she’s been working right here aspect by aspect with me for the higher a part of 15 years. I knew from the beginning that she was going to be my surgeon.
Outcomes of that Choice: The operation went very nicely. it was a very profitable process. I am now 2 years out, freed from illness.
Choice #3: Being Upfront With the Physician
I made my emotions very clear with my surgeon, Dr. Hedrick. We talked concerning the completely different choices that I had. And I did have some further perception given the truth that I do a whole lot of the surgical procedure myself, however I used to be very clear about what my targets and what my expectations had been. My initially aim was to be cured, however I used to be additionally excited about the influence of my therapy plans. I needed that to be tailor-made to my wants.
Outcomes of that Choice: I used to be anxious concerning the surgical procedure. I used to be anxious concerning the outcomes. I had some perception into what couldn’t go so nicely, and that was scary. However I additionally had nice confidence within the staff that I used to be working with, and I knew that they had been going to present the whole lot of themselves and that I used to be going to actually get top-notch care.
Choice #4: Accepting the Physician’s Recommendation
We talked concerning the want for a brief ileostomy, which was a bag on my aspect. Clearly, like all sufferers, I wasn’t actually enthusiastic about that. That was the one non-negotiable a part of the dialogue with Hedrick. She mentioned, “I am going to do this,” and I mentioned, “If I had been you and I used to be my very own surgeon, that is precisely what I’d do as nicely.”
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Outcomes of the Choice: I did have an ileostomy created, and that was an additional factor for me to study and put up with.
Choice #5: Accepting Assist
One factor I bought a terrific appreciation for was the standard of our nursing groups, particularly the nursing groups at night time. They taught me how you can take care of my ileostomy. I had all of the sources that I wanted.
Outcomes of the Choice: I used to be capable of make a fairly speedy restoration. Inside a couple of month, I used to be seeing sufferers. I used to be working. Though I had an ileostomy bag, I used to be out with my associates taking part in some tennis. My biggest pleasure that complete time was I took the time to stroll your complete Rivanna Path. That was my each day train, and I did that every one with an ileostomy.
Choice #6: Shifting Ahead With Care & Empathy
Once I was recognized with colorectal most cancers, it did give me a little bit of a brand new perspective. I needed to flip the script and go from physician to affected person. Luckily, my operation went rather well and I had my ileostomy reversed a number of months later.
Outcomes of the Choice: I prefer to assume I used to be empathic earlier than. However now that I’ve gone by this expertise myself, I am much more conscious about the problems my sufferers are coping with.