Demanding for Options with Your Medical Treatment, Diagnosis and Healthcare

Entering the unknown medical world is beyond scary. You discover some symptoms, get some tests, meet with several new doctors, and await the final diagnosis. If you're like I was, you put yourself in denial about the big, freaky diseases: cancer, heart disease, HIV. These days there are many scary diseases, but along with all the unknown comes a lot of talented physicians and hospitals.

It took several weeks until conclusive results came back for my husband's cancer. It was one of the rarest cancers in the world: angiosarcoma. 100 people a year get this type of cancer, so it's no wonder it took so long to diagnose in an age when overnight results are anticipated.

One of the biggest hurdles we faced was getting proper information from the right sources. While we didn't want to have to travel, our situation required it. We went along with the opinion of our local doctors, and finally, when he was so ill he was on a ventilator, they transferred him to Johns Hopkins to get some answers, and a diagnosis. Had we known more about the medical system, I believe we could have pushed to get to a more knowledgeable hospital in a shorter amount of time.

When you are facing an unknown diagnosis, or you have a medical concern in hand, it is important you know that there are options. We live in a country with some of the best technology, physicians, surgeons and medical staff in the world. Most of us live within just a few hours of top notch medical facility that can provide us with second opinions and the most up to date treatment options.

Whatever medical situation you are facing, second opinions are a requirement. Do not even suggest to yourself to go with the first doctors opinion. It's just that: an opinion. Seeing a second doctor, who may have more knowledge of the type of condition you have, provides you with more knowledge and treatment options. I use the word option often because dealing with anything medical means that you need to look around for more answers and the latest treatments.

Many health insurance companies will pay to allow you to see a secondary doctor. If they do not, you can often request a special allowance to switch doctors, or seek a new consultation. Despite the brutal healthcare industry, it is up to us to be pro-active in our situations, no matter how scary they are. If you do not have the financial means to seek out a second opinion, look towards research programs that often offer free consultations, or research non profit groups that may be able to fund your quest for the best treatment available.

Facing a rare, or common disease shouldn't make you feel helpless. It is a scary, unknown journey, but if you are pro-active in your quest, you can find the answers you seek. Ask your doctor for recommended physicians for your medical diagnosis, and often, they will give you a list of their peers that are reputable. Be open and communicative with your health insurance company to make sure that all your consultations and treatments will be covered and get everything in writing: don't forget customer service agent's names, and get direct phone numbers and extensions.

I encourage you to seek our more information, because the best thing you can do for yourself, is to give yourself options. You are not helpless: just keep walking, keep talking, and look around for your best outcome.