Re: [MOL] Denise/ REPLY [00954]

Disorientation can happen from any number of things. Chemo can be a cause of it, along with many medications. Radiation, brain tumors, depression, anti-depressant drugs, mental illness, fatigue, and the list goes on and on. Only a qualified Doctor could say what is the root cause of the disorientation and the doctor should be notified.

How can you tell if you have the right doctor? Now that is a tricky one. You want to know how many cases of this perticular cancer the doctor has treated and the success rate of the treatments he prescribed. You want to know that the doctor will explain everything in lay terms and never put off a question you may have. You want to make sure the doctor is hearing what you are saying and not waiting a certain length of time to take over the conversation. You want to check with people who have used this doctor and how they felt about he/she. You want to know their patient skills and make sure they are in keeping with you. Meaning, if a doctor is very direct and you would prefer sugar coating, is this the right doctor for you? You want to have trust in your doctor; but you do not want to be lead blindly. You want to know that he is at all times honest, and that if he does not know something, he will find out and get back with you. This is only fair; as there are so many new medications and therapies becoming available that on one person could keep up with it all. You want to know that he/she will treat the cancer aggressively; however at the same time keeping in mind as to not take too much of a toll on the body. I am sure there are other factors; but one of the main thing is when you have made the qualifying decision, never look back. Do not play the what if game and do maintain hope.