Questions at diagnosis
Dealing with a serious or life-threatening illness or injury is one of the most difficult things any of us will ever face. When a person is first diagnosed with a serious illness or experiences an accident or injury with medical consequences, it can be quite stressful, both for the person who is ill and for his or her family and friends.
Whether at initial diagnosis or during the treatment of a serious illness, a number questions and concerns rise to the surface. Practical questions that arise include:
What should I do? Who can I talk to? Are there effective treatments? If so, what are they?
The excerpts included here are those most pertinent to someone who has been newly diagnosed with a serious illness—or to his or her family, friends, and colleagues.
In this 'Tips for the Newly Diagnosed' section, you will find pages containing the following information:
- At diagnosis: getting the information you need.
- How to communicate effectively with your physician ... and get the best possible care.
- At diagnosis: A 'Print and Take' form of questions to ask your Doctor.
- Support Tips: Figuring out how best to cope with serious illness.
Just click on the link found at the bottom of each page and follow the links to the following pages.
Additional information about care and support during time of serious illness:
In addition to the subjects covered in this 'Tips for the Newly Diagnosed' section, other concerns come to the fore as well, some of which have social or family ramifications.
These concerns, for patients and for family members, might include:
- What will happen to me/us?
- How will I/we cope?
- How can I get the medical help I need? The community assistance?
- How will I get to my doctor appointments, chemotherapy, radiation, or therapy?
- What questions should I ask my doctor? My insurance company? My family?
- What about finances? And caregiving? Is help available?
- Will I be able to work? Care for my children? Spouse? Parents?
- Will I/we need to move to another location - at least temporarily? Choose an alternate living situation? Make some changes in driving, daily activities, or meal preparation?
- How about medical decision making? Do I need a living will? A power of attorney for health care?
- Is there some way to grow through all this -- to become spiritually stronger? To heal old wounds? To communicate more lovingly and effectively?
The complete answers to these questions with regard to serious illness are found in the Guide for Care and Support during Serious Illness --which can be accessed through our sister organization, Consoling Grace.
Clearly, no printed guide can answer every question or meet every need. Still, at Consoling Communities, we hope to provide you with at least some of the information and resources you'll need to weather the tough days ahead.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Page 2 - At Diagnosis: Getting the information you need
Please know that the content of this guide is general in nature, and is provided for informational purposes only. Consoling Grace assumes no liability or responsibility for damage or injury to persons or property arising from any information, idea, or instruction contained in the materials provided. This guide is not intended to be relied on for diagnosis or treatment. The content is not intended in any way to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you many have.
