Getting the Treatment You Deserve

I stumbled upon an article last night, and one part in particular made me start crying.  I've had insomnia since Tuesday night, the day before my official diagnosis, and most of my major stress during the past few days has been due to thinking about missing work, figuring out finances, finding surgeons in my insurance network that I actually trust, and somehow trying to coordinate a lot of first-time consults to make a decision about who will do my surgery.  Reading this reassured me:

"Your doctors and nurses will become your source of comfort. You will feel safe with them. If you do not feel safe with them you need to change your care provider immediately. There is no time to waste. This shouldn't be a game played on anyone's terms but yours. When you find the right caretakers you will know immediately. Do not let insurance, money or red tape prevent you from getting the treatment you deserve. This is your only shot. There is always a way. Find those hands that you trust your life in and willingly give it to them. They will quickly bring you a sense of calm. They will spend time answering your questions. There will be no stupid questions to them. They won't do anything besides make you feel like you are the most important life that exists. They will never make you feel like they don't have things in control. They will be honest and accessible at all times. They might even become your friends. You might celebrate with them over drinks months or years after they have cured you. They deserve your gratitude, respect and appreciation daily. If you get upset at them during treatment know that they'll forgive you. They get that you're going through something they can't imagine--but they understand better than anyone. They see it every day and they choose to be there because they want to make the worst experience of your life more tolerable."

-Jeff Tomczek, "The Things I Wish I Were Told When I Was Diagnosed With Cancer"