How should I handle flipant radation tech

You have to be your own advocate.


There are good and bad in all of life, and you just have to sort 'em
out and treat 'em like socks with holes; toss 'em out.

Really! There are bad nurses, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists,
and every now and then..... a paper boy that throws the paper
in a puddle.

I would make it a point to relate my feelings and experiences
with the management. It's not just "for me", it's for anyone else
that's being treated like that.

They can't fix a problem if they don't know they have one,
and more often than not, your complaint isn't the first.

This is why I advocate carrying a Tazer to medical exams.


John

Let management/your dr know
They don't always know what's going on behind the scenes, and must know when people are being treated disrespectfully and/or proper care isn't taken with the treatment.

(I had a nurse who screwed up my basics during intake, putting my temp in for my weight in kg, and I ended up having chemo based on a weight 80 pounds heavier. Procedures were changed after that incident, and fortunately, I was no worse for the wear.)

Speak out - it's your body, your life.

PhillieG said:

Supervisor
I would talk to Mike then bring it to the attention of their supervisor. Their attitude is unprofessional and potentially hazardous. I'm sure most would agree that 99.999% of the techs & nurses are super-nice and caring but there are always that .001% who are not. They NEED to be made aware that they need to get their act together or find another vocation.

Out of the many times I've been in a similar situation, I always try to make sure my **** is covered in more ways than one. Like others have said, we need to be our own advocates and after many of the procedures, we are at times left with little dignity. I guess to them a butt is no big deal but(t) if it were theirs they might think differently.

"Mike would always make she I was covered and say nice things call out measurement etc"
Do you mean like 36-26-36?
;-)

We'.re under enough stress as it is; to endure more from those
to whom we entrust our lives with to be properly administered to is unwarranted and should not be tolerated. One would think any "professional" treating cancer people( or any one needing medical attention, for that matter) would exhibit the appropriate consideration and courtesy. You owe it to yourself to complain, either to radiologist directly (and if it doesn't seem to register, go to superior(s)) or go directly to higher ups. If you need moral support, here we are.....steve

geotina said:

Dignity
There is no reason or excuse not be treated professionally and with complete dignity. There was a very young chemo nurse at George's onc's office and when I went with him I heard a few women ask for a different nurse to administer their chemo. They simply said something to the effect "No offense intended but I would like a different nurse to administer my chemo". Needless to say, she is no longer there.

Speak up before this person screws up.

Take care - Tina

Laura
Hi Laura,

I was fortunate that I had professional techs helping me through radiation tx. I know of a patient that only wanted women techs, as she felt more comfortable, and just asked, and then only had women techs. I like the approach Tina suggested. Theres no reason you should be made to feel uncomfortable. I hope that you will not have to deal with this tech this week, unless you are able to ask for what you need from her, as I know you don't need that added stress, you just want your tx and you want to go. I wish you a better week. Lori

You have the right
YOu have the right to speak your mind. This is your treatment, the techs should be in on the treatment of people because they care, not the money. I tell my staff at the Child Care Center, "Leave your bad ATTITUDES and PROBLEMS at the door before you come in to the Center!" Speak up, I know I would. God bless and take care, Margaret

Bad Rad Tech
What a terrible time to run into someone who is incompetent in their work. The whole experience is bad enough you should not have to put up with that. I think you should make their supervisor aware of your issues. Keeping a positive attitude is such a big part of successful treatment and anyone who does not help you with that is a hindrance. I tried to keep in mind during my treatment that this is a job for the caregivers and health care professionals but at the end of the day you have to remember your fighting for your life, which is too short to put up with any BS from some knucklehead who should be doing something else for a living . If they don’t have the bedside manor and compassion that the great ones do they should not be working with (for) you . Besides it diminishes the above average job that most of the health care professionals do on a daily basis.Tell their boss, tell their bosses boss, tell everyone who'll listen.keep up the good fight and God bless.

say something
If you have enough dealings with any industry you are bound to run into the percentage of people who have no business in the business they are in. It certainly is not your fault and it is not something you should be expected to tolerate. I am not one for confrontation, for the most part, truth be told I worried a bit about repercussions. Nothing serious mind you, but suddenly I would be waiting longer for medicine say....
I have complained, once about a nurse, and once to a surgeon. I talked to them about my issues, neither one was very receptive, but in both cases I was satisfied with the outcome in the long run.
I hadnt realized this before but both instances involved a cathater, lol. The nurse was a older woman who seem to get easily frustrated with equipment. Somehow she could not figure out how to untangle the wires, hoses etc... that where hooked to me or coming out of me. I could see her frustration growing and when she yanked on one of the many IV lines I put my hand on the cathater tube. It was a reflex action, and she copped an attitude. In a snooty voice she told me I didnt have to hold onto it. I said I know but I felt more comfortable by doing so. She then ordered me to let go. can you imagine! I told her she could do whatever she liked but there wasnt a snowballs chance in H@$# I was letting go of that tube. She left in a huff, My wife fixed the tangle, in about twenty seconds, and then went to the head nurse. I never saw the nurse again. I wont go into the surgeon story, I will just say he wanted one thing, I wanted another. guess what, my body my choice, I win. I know he was not happy, and I have since found another surgeon and that probably saved my life.
You have a right to expect proffesional care from everyone who is involved in your treatment, carelessness and bad attitudes are not something you should be burdened with. Your focus should be on your health not on the care or lack there of you are receiving.
chris

just another thought to add
just another thought to add to the great replies- you do NOT want someone who messes up you mat, or doesn't inspire any type of confidence in the procedure...you don't want any harmful effets of radiation not going precisely where intended, it's bad enough getting it in the first place....so i's dimply ask for another tech and schedule it around those days if possible

good luck

Peggy