Peggy, a 76-year-old retired teacher, contacted a patient advocate for help with medical decision making at the recommendation of her cardiologist. She had recently recovered from surgery for endometrial cancer and her oncologist was recommending chemotherapy, but even with chemo he said it had a 50% chance of returning. Peggy did not want to die of cancer, but was very afraid of the chemotherapy and wanted another opinion from an oncologist.
Peggy lived alone with her 3 lovely cats, did not drive, did not have access to a computer, and aside from an 80-year-old sister and few neighbors who checked on her periodically, was on her own.
The patient advocacy empowered Peggy to ask her doctor for a second opinion recommendation and reassured Peggy that second opinions are a common part of medical treatment – she did not offend her doctor by asking for a referral. The advocate also asked Peggy if she could call her once a week to chat and see if she needed any additional assistance. After about a month of contacts, the advocate asked Peggy if she would consider having a social worker from her local senior center visit her once and a while. She told Peggy that the senior center offers all kinds of programs that Peggy could take advantage of, and asked if Peggy would give it a try.
A month later Peggy reported: “I’m getting meals on wheels delivered a few times a week and the senior center had a volunteer vet who is willing to come to my house and give my cats a free check up. I am very happy I gave them a call.”
