Advocating for Yourself in the Hospital or During a Medical Diagnosis | My Cancer Journey
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- Navigating advocating for yourself in the hospital or for someone else can be a hard task. Especially if you end up having to be an advocate during a long-term medical diagnosis like cancer patient advocacy is important. Doctors are overrun with patients and while they do have the medical knowledge, you know your own body and wishes and you have to be able to advocate for yourself as much as possible. This is some of our story and intro into how to advocate for yourself and navigate the medical world.
#cancerjourney #cancerdiagnosis #advocate
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Hi, my name is Melanie! Welcome to my little slice of the internet. As an enneagram 7 who knows what you'll find here!
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Wonderful video! Advocacy is a huge part of getting through medical treatment!
Street fentanyl and medical fentanyl big difference they know how much to give a pregnant woman in a hospital you don’t overdose but that’s one choice not to receive it..u go brave woman ❤there’s no way if that would of been me
I did eventually end up taking a dose during labor when they were trying to get the balloon out. They explained it more and my BIL helped explain as well so I decided to give it a shot to help because they had tried to remove the balloon once and it was so painful, so the second time they were planning to do it and offered I agreed to try it. It helped. It just took me a while to get to a place I was comfrotable with it, but because I knew she would be here soon and didn't have more time to bake I was more ok with taking it then.
What a beautiful woman you are. Sending so much love ❤❤❤
Melanie, squamous cell is so soft and the risk of bleeding was high and I’m sure that’s why the anesthesiologist was there for your protection. I’ve never seen a pregnant patient on chemotherapy. As a recovery room nurse many people arrive fully awake. The nurse has such a huge responsibility for fresh post op patients family members in acute recovery can be distracting and dangerous. Unfortunately I too am a cancer survivor as well as a 30 year RN.
You're so brave, so intelligent, and so beautiful, Melanie. You are so strong. I think all this is going right to your beautiful, happy daughter. Her smile is so cute. Everybody must want to squeeze those cheeks. My goodness, Andrew, you are a perfect example of a true man. It's great you show how you feel. It's your family.❤ Now you have all of us to support you!
You wrote everything I wanted to say 💯 ❤
@Mari-B Thank you, Mari. Sometimes, it just hits you, and you let your soul do the talking, you know?
Prayers continue daily for you and your family 🙏🙏🙏🕊🕊😇
It's so great to see you smiling and sharing your experience with everyone. Your positive outlook is everything.
Excellent
Very well stated, Melanie. You look great. ❤
Wow girl, you’ve been through so much. God bless you and your little girl ❤
Glad you came to Jacksonville. I work for Baptist.
Wow, what a story! You are so strong. You look wonderful and so happy the baby is healthy!
You are such a great momma
Advocacy is such an important subject. & I'm so glad you are talking about it here. Thank you.
God is working through you Melanie! You have walked through fire and the faith of you and your husband and family have shined in you all the way - especially as you are now helping others to navigate difficulties. Your continued openness, courage, goodness, and earnestness set and example for me. So happy to see your beautiful smile and joy! You are a champion!
Awww Allison, thank you! That's very sweet encouragement.
I don't blame you my brother passed away from a overdose I can so relate to you but you are so strong Melanie a true Warrior
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I am so sorry to hear about your brother as well! Being the sibling of an addict is so hard, and then especially navigating losing them too.
@@melaniefostersnavely do you know Christ?
Good for you!!!! So important to speak up! You are really looking great ❤Love and prayers for you and yours ❤
I have a long history of having cancer at 16 & 20, I’m now 54. I had many side effects of radiation to pelvic and abdomen. This year I had sepsis due to kidney failure and a pelvic bone infection. By luck I had an ulcer on my food and wound care came to take a look and noticed why I was in the hospital. My ulcer was as almost healed but they thought hyperbaric would help my infection and fistula. I started out with 20 sessions and when there was improvement I got another 20 session. After that because I was feeling better I received another 20 for a total of 60 session. I came to find out it also can help radiated tissues. I don’t understand why every cancer patient isn’t offer that treatment. I did have to advocate for the last 20 session with insurance. Luckily for me my treating doctor and the hyperbaric doctor were on the same page. They say improvement can last up to 5 years but if before then if you feel things are started to get worse you can get a refreshed treatments. I was in a large chamber with up to 6 people. I am claustrophobic they gave me something to relax for each treatment you just need to ask. I hope it helps you and good luck. ❤
I hope you're doing okay now.
I love your curls! I still think those patches are great. They are “dainty “ and ladylike. 💜
Hi Melanie. First you look so much more healthy and happy. Color and face are wonderful! I hope that doesn’t sound weird. Lol!
Yes you MUST advocate for yourself whenever in any medical situation. Don’t let them decide what’s best for you. Ever. I deal with so many illnesses and now my husband dealing with cancer, I stay on top of it all. It’s so necessary.
I hope whatever is happening isn’t too horrible. I continue to pray.
Glad to see you again Mel. You look good, take care of yourself. Hope your fa.ily are doing well
Melanie you and your husband did a fantastic job on making the tough decisions you made!! Thank you for posting this and sharing your experience with what you went through and about advocating for yourself. It can be very hard and scary when you're being hit with tons of information and dealing with conflicting opinions of professionals. Those times are certainly challenging. I know for myself I had to be my mother's advocate and caregiver when she got sick. She didn't want to die in a hospital or convalescent hospital....she wanted to be at home. Even when the home hospice organization came all they wanted was to give her MORPHINE when she wasn't in pain and specifically said she DIDN'T WANT ANY MORPHINE!! It's so important to advocate for yourself and the patient, in this case it was my mom. Melanie I'm so glad you had your husband fighting for you and your baby and didn't let others determine what was best. Dr's mean well but ultimately it is your body and your baby's body that you have to take into consideration and advocate for that. Like I said before you and your husband made the right decision for your family 🙂👍👍. God bless you ✝️. I'm hoping to be able to see your live tomorrow morning but if for some reason I miss it I will definitely watch the replay. Sending you lots of love and prayers your way ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏. Prayers & Wishes Lisa Hampton 🙂
You look great now!!!!
Your such an amazing human being and sooo sooo strong. You truly are such an inspiration. I’m praying for you & your family ❤
You are amazing. Such strength and bravery! Good for you for taking charge. 🙏 ❤
You and babygirl are both Miracles ❤ God bless and keep you as you continue on your healing journey Melanie 💙
Melanie this video is so important for so many I just want to say thank you for caring about others you’re so amazing and so giving of your time I quite frankly think you’re superwoman and beyond 💗prayers daily for good scans and success 🤍✝️you’re so loved girlie 💟✝️
I remember when I first found your channel, you were still pregnant! Your nose was soooo stopped up. I remember thinking how miserable you must have been.
You have come such a long way. I think you are strong and amazing. I pray God’s continued healing hand on you!🙏🏻🌸🌷🌸
Thank you so much!! That means a lot!
Such an important subject. Do not become a victim 😊
God bless you ❤❤❤
Thanks Melanie❤ nice to see your face😊 you are looking so much better and hopeful!! I have heard a lot good things about the hyperbolic treatments!
Praying all goes well and keep your faith❤🌺🌼☘️🌹❤️❤️🩹
Hey Melanie 🌸💛 so nice to see you again. Thanks for another video 💕✨
Hi Melanie! Thank you for sharing your journey. I can’t imagine what you have been through. I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome in April. And I get a lot of encouragement from watching you. You are an amazing inspiration
You’re such a strong woman and thank God you are! Sending prayers from Boston for the up coming surgery! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
You have done so amazing and I pray this surgery goes well and you heal so fast!!
Melanie, you did an awesome job with this video. Straight from your heart. As a retired nurse I dislike the way our medical and hospital care have gone. You definetly need an advocate to be with you. I am happy to hear you are doing well. Prayers that all tests come back the way they need to be to get that surgery over with. What a year you have had. The picture you posted yesterday is beautiful. She’s growing quickly. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers always. Much love until next video.
I think that being your own advocate means that you don’t shy away from doctors because you’re apprehensive of them you advocate for yourself and you go to the doctor you have your annual physical so that you know you have a baseline granted things can still happen but being your own advocate means that you’re always your own advocate whether you feel well or not.
I’m so very happy that you’re doing so well and that you did advocate for yourself and those doctors did save your life.
Thx for the recap. I didn't discover your channel till after the birth. ❤
Yelp. He was there to be in standby. Someone didn't read your chart. Most people would choose anesthesia, but I am like you, I would have opt out also. You definitely have to advocate for yourself. If you ever have any issues, ask for the hospital house Supervisor or hospital adon.
Thank you for this important video... You're looking great, by the way. Your ❤ baby girl is so lucky to have such great parents... ❤
Hi Melanie, gosh you have both been through a lot, poor Andrew was so worried about you and baby.
Thank you Melanie. This is great information. How wonderful for you to share your story. I've been watching from the beginning and wow you're an inspiration and look absolutely amazing! What a beautiful baby girl you have as well. God bless you. I will be praying for your upcoming surgery ❤❤❤
Hi Melanie,
You did a great job telling your story and explaining how to advocate for yourself. I had to do this very thing when I was young and it was hard, but I learned quickly. I am apprehensive about the whole medical stuff too and other stuff...you get the point. I have Family in Orlando and have visited there before. God bless!.
Newly diagnosed patients can learn a lot from you. All the best as you soldier on.
The strength! Mad respect! ❤
What a very useful video. I’m sorry for all that you and your family have been through. Thank you for sharing your journey and advice for dealing with the medical establishment. I’m sure you will help many people. I continue to keep you in my prayers!
My inspiration comes from survivors like you Continued hope,strenth and prayers to you!!
God bless you Melanie. What a story of bravery in the face of horrible circumstances. You’re out the other end now, but be sure to give yourself all the time you need to process what you’ve been through. Thank you for sharing this information. I’ll be praying for you that the scans are clear and nothing but good things are ahead for you, the baby and your husband. ❤
Good for you that you advocated for yourself and your baby. 🦸♀️ ❤ Thank you for sharing ☺️
Many thanks for your spreading this important information
God bless you my American sister. This is a great listen. Appreciate you taking the time to share.
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Hello gorgeous Melanie xxx
Your strength is inspiring. Well said. As a medical provider I appreciate that you are sharing your story & the importance of self advocacy...super important.
Being an advocate for your treatment and health care in general is absolutely essential. We as women are in most cases not taken seriously or told it’s in your head.
hi melanie. i've been following your journey and i think you are such a strong and brave woman. i'm glad you said no to the fentanyl btw. i was an addict and od'd about 6 times on that and was brought back with narcan every time. that is a very scary drug and i'm so thankful my mom sent me to a treatment centre that she fully funded. that was almost 4 yrs ago and still going strong. thank you melanie for inspiring me. xox
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Our daughter Natalie....fentanyl....1/1/17. I'm glad you survived.
@@Tember58 thank you so much. I’m truly blessed I made it through.
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You describing all the information and things they initially throw at you as a tornado seems accurate. You are a trooper Melanie! God bless you and your baby girl ❤️🙏🏼
Hello! Just wanted to let you know that I think you are just stunning! Don't know how to explain it but your appearance now is just drop dead gorgeous!
She looks well and healthy! (and awesome curly locks on top of that)
Isn't she just gorgeous! ❤
I'm so proud of how far you've come, don't ever stop, healing takes time.
Whatever troubles may arise, you will weather the storm and you will not stand alone.
Thank you for helping others navigate the medical system.
I don't know you. But I pray that you get well ASAP. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿. Keep your head up. You are really strong.
Hi Mel
You did the right thing being pregnant and refusing fentanyl! I found out they gave me fentanyl for either my procedure or surgery but definitely not pregnant! However I was not aware before hand what I would be given when I was put out! Yes it is good to record an appointment and also to know how to ask the questions! I’m sorry your cancer was found during a pregnancy and having to face chemo while pregnant! When I first seen you and now know your story, I feel you were very brave and courageous! Then surgery to remove your eye! You are a true hero in my eyes! I pray most of all the shocking medical issues are behind you and you heal to the best the medical profession can provide for any future procedures!
Bless you and always many 🙏👍🙏👍🙏your way! 💕🌞🌻🍂
Hello beautiful Melanie ❤ you look amazing. I’m glad you are fighting this battle for you & your family. Sending you hugs& good vibes. You deserve to be happy healthy. 🩵🩵🩵😍❣️🥰
You made the right choices for you and your baby❤️
You've been so brave and i would have been the same i wouldnt have had the general anesthesia either or the f drug.
You are doing really well Melanie, now love life and move forward day by day❤
Great Advice
You are a strong brave lady and I think I am just falling in love with you you are amazing I too lost one of my loved ones with drugs but to go thru all you have without anything for pain I am 68 and have never been thru anything like this may all the angels in heaven watch over you and yours from now on
I am so sorry for your loss!
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You're looking fab Melanie, you look so healthy hun, I'm sure everything is brill xx
This was a great message, you have to advocate for yourself and stay updated on what’s going on with you. You look amazing, sending love and blessings to you and your beautiful family✝️🕊️🙏🏼☮️🩷✨🌞🌼❣️❣️❣️❣️
I love your Golden Girls Shirt!
There's your smiley face❤
Wow you are amazing ❤❤❤🙏
You will need to continue to advocate for testing and meetings.
I'm thankful you have some time to enjoy your girl and please don't be discouraged if the scan results reflect a delay temporarily.❤
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Good advice ❤
Aww, your husband was worried about you and the baby. The hospital staff rarely have patients that choose not to use medications. I would have been very upset too, because you do want to be able to trust your medical team.
Wish you the best on your journey, some natural complementary aproaches that might be interesting:
Injection of high dosage vitamin C(Taking orraly is not as close as powerful.
Cbd oil, is a very powerful, it has anti-inflamatory propeties and is an powerful antioxidant, and it is very powerful to threat oxidated cells.
Black pepper and turmeric, black pepper greatly increases the antioxidant power of turmeric, has powerful antioxidant and anti-fungal properties.
Apricot seeds that have lots of B17.
A more healthfull diet, with lots of greens and fruits.
Intermitent fasting.
She can’t interment fast she has to maintain her weight please don’t advise things like that she has doctors that will help her
Hope it goes well
Wow! I am so sorry you had to go through such a traumatic birth and also having those special things for your child like the diapers and glass bottles not come to be is heartbreaking. Those were special plans that you and Andrew had for your child. Thanks for sharing.
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Hej Melanie
So many of the hospitals and doctors I go to have signs up saying no video or audio recordings. I really like to have a recording especially if for surgery.
I know at some hospitals for things like procedures you aren't allowed to record, but I think if it is just a discussion of options you can record all you want.
@@melaniefostersnavely I was just at an ophthalmology appt and they had this big no audio or video recording message on the computer screen in the exam room. I've been noticing these signs more and more. I felt odd recording once at a surgery consult. Even though there were signs up prohibiting it I felt like I really needed to do it. It is so hard to remember everything!
I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and in my oncologist’s exam rooms, there are signs that recordings are prohibited. I don’t know if that’s a state law or something that the facility mandates.
Hi Melanie! Praying all goes well for the surgery!! Are you able to gain weight 🎉❤️❤️🙏🙏
I am trying but it's not really coming on quickly.
@@melaniefostersnavely praying that you are able to gain weight! I am asking the Father innJesus Name. Amen
It's standard for family and friends not to be allowed in recovery
Melanie, you’re looking and sounding great sweetie. Love your Golden Girls T Shirt. I for many many years went to sleep with The Golden Girls. lol. Thank you for doing these Videos as I know your helping so so many. The way the Medical Systems work in these days, and How Ins. Co. Do and don’t pay, plays a big part in our Dr’s unfortunately. As A retired Nurse and CatdioVascular Sonographer, I have worked close with so many specialist. Most were awesome in giving however much time the Pt needed with them, then there were those few that it was obvious they became dr’s for the $$$. You are so right in that We have to let our voices be heard! If we don’t get the answers we need and or want, then it’s time for a 2nd or even a3rd opinion. We cannot be afraid to ask questions. It’s the questions we don’t ask that are stupid ones. Iam praying that this Attentive Surgery is that they are going to be able to close the hole? And prayerfully in a very minimal way. Look forward to you live. Once again, you’re looking as beautiful as ever.
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