Please consider reading this article from the Washington Post (you will have to enter an email to read the article).

The point of the article is that you MUST advocate for yourself.

If something doesn’t seem right ASK.

If you have horrible symptoms, INSIST.

If you have problems, insist on speaking personally to your MD Oncologist, not merely an intermediary. Perhaps insist on an in-person visit.

Identify and reach out to a support group to check on other people’s experience (that is, find a “sherpa”).

Then act.

Chemo and side effects are awful but most are manageable without ER visits or hospitalization. Even so, if you are having problems, insist that your doctor medically manage your issues. No excuses.

If you are not getting answers you can understand when you ASK, then CHANGE providers — go elsewhere for care.

Gary’s wise words, “you get only one chance to do this right, so choose wisely.”