Guest Post from Mike Hamel, Lymphoma Patient, Cancer Blogger and Author

millss — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:33:23 GMT

I really enjoy reading (and writing!) blogs. A blog provides a less formal environment to share information than other forms of writing, and it enables regular people to have their voice be heard by potentially anyone and everyone. I feel pretty privileged to be able to read people’s personal cancer experiences through their blogs, and was delighted to be introduced to Mike Hamel’s blog, Cells Behaving Badly.

Mike was diagnosed with lymphoma in early July of this year, and is taking the time to document his experience. He writes regularly and with a wonderful sense of humor that makes the experience sound less daunting.

Mike has graciously given us permission to share one of his blog posts with you, so without further ado, read on!

A Client, Not a Patient

^{Mike Hamel, client, and Nurse Sharon}

I won’t be able to change the nomenclature of the medical profession but I refer to myself as a client, not a patient. By definition, a patient is “One who receives medical attention or treatment.” The archaic meaning was “One who suffers,” from the Latin verb meaning “to endure.” A client on the other hand is “The party for which professional services are rendered.”

Catch the nuance? A patient is the object of medical care, a client is the subject of medical services. In language as in life, an object is passive, a subject is active.

A patient complies with the experts. A client consults the experts, then follows what seems the best advice.

A patient might complain but would never contradict an authority. A client will ask questions and weigh alternatives before deciding.

A patient goes where sent and doesn’t change doctors or clinics. A client tries to find the best physicians and facilities realistically available.

A patient asks “What?” A client asks “Why?”

Being a client takes a lot more work. I have to educate myself about my condition and treatment options. It’s a daunting but doable task thanks to the Internet. There are plenty of reputable sites with reliable information the average person can understand. (See the LYMPHOMA INFO box in my sidebar for a start.)

Oncologists know a shipload more about lymphoma than do its sufferers, but they don’t know everything. It’s impossible to keep up with the ocean of new information. A dialogue with a well-informed client could suggest new possibilities to a thoughtful physician.

When I see Dr. Kurbegov in two weeks, I’ll ask if radioimmunotherapy is an option for my type of lymphoma based on an article I read in the New York Times. I’ll ask about any clinical trials for which I might be a candidate, especially those sponsored by the MD Anderson Cancer Center where Dr. Kurbegov was a Chief Fellow.

I’m not trying to play doctor or impress anyone with my research skills. I’m just trying to understand my cancer and to be proactive in eradicating it. After all, it’s my life.

Learn more about Mike by visiting his blog. It’s possible you may already be acquainted with his books which include the Matterhorn the Brave series, as well as The Entrepreneur’s Creed.

Consider these "client" resources as you manage your diagnosis and treatment:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Blog

Guest Post from Mike Hamel, Lymphoma Patient, Cancer Blogger and Author