$detail.contentHost.facilityName - September 11, 2017

1 min Read Time

I feel like no one is listening to me. Not my family. Not my doctors. I am the one with liver cancer. Shouldn't I have a say in my treatment?

It’s so frustrating when you feel like your voice isn’t being heard. Especially when the topic is you. Sometimes, with opinions of so many loved ones, plus all the new information that comes with a cancer diagnosis, it can be difficult to even figure out what you really want. When you’re treated for liver cancer at the Sarah Institute at HCA Midwest Health Cannon, you have the option to work with a Nurse Navigator, who is there to help you sort through your feelings and make sure your voice is heard.

Your treatment plan starts with your doctor and includes a lot of medical professionals. Yes, you’re in charge, but that can be overwhelming. With so many people involved in your care and so much information, it can be difficult to know what questions to ask.

That’s why Sarah Cannon HCA Midwest Health provides Nurse Navigators for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients. Your navigator is there for you from the beginning. If you want, your Nurse Navigator can go with you when you first meet with your doctors to talk about your treatment. If you have questions about your treatment at any point, he or she can answer them based on that initial visit, or direct you to the right person to answer them.

Your navigator will be a nurse with training in oncology. They are here to listen to you and your concerns, and function as an advocate for you. They also give you information connecting you to important support resources in the community.

Your Nurse Navigator is interested in your concerns and your fears, and wants to make the whole process less fearful. He or she wants to get to know you better to ensure that your wishes are heard. Cancer can be so controlling. Your Nurse Navigator is there to listen, to guide, to explain and to help give control back to you.

Learn more about Nurse Navigators at Sarah Cannon HCA Midwest Health or you can call to speak to a nurse at AskSARAH: (816) 448-7737.

Our HCA Midwest Health hospitals offer Nurse Navigators for GI cancer at these facilities:

tags: cancer care , t4b