Why We All Need To Be Empowered Patients!

Have you ever been misdiagnosed?

Recently, I listened to a podcast and heard an amazing interview with author Trisha Torrey who shared a personal story about a misdiagnosis of Lymphoma!!

Her frightening experience prompted her to write about patient empowerment in the book “You Bet Your Life: The 10 Mistakes Every Patient Makes” which not only shares her story but stories of others who had suffered from receiving substandard medical care.

It provides useful tactics to get the help you or a loved one needs.

The reason I related to this situation is because I had a misdiagnosed blood panel.

My results got mixed up with someone else’s.

I knew this because my blood panel results are optimal year after year.

Had I not known what my results should look like, I may have been treated for high cholesterol or diabetes.

Who knows what could have happened?

Good thing I questioned it! It’s crucial to know your numbers!

The lab ran it again and of course, my results came back normal!

Another time, because of a questionable chest X-Ray that indicated I had a tiny spot on my lung, a doctor told to schedule an IMMEDIATE CT Scan.

At that point, I asked the doctor to immediately fax the radiology report directly to me and the report had two choices.

It seems I had two options, to either get a CT Scan or have another X-Ray and compare the results.

I chose the latter and my results were clear!

I’m glad I didn’t schedule or need the expensive CT Scan.

Question Anything that Sounds Odd!

I’m happy that I questioned the results which sounded odd, because both times it was the correct decision.

If you don’t think something sounds right, you have every right to question it.

Don’t do something because someone tells you to do it. Ask questions!

You can click on the image below download the helpful medical questions to ask your doctor in advance “checklist” and print for reference.

Patient empowerment is so important and I highly recommend her book. You can get it here:

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Did you ever receive a misdiagnosis? Please leave a comment!

TOPIC: Why We All Need To Be Empowered Patients!

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1 Comment

Trisha Torrey on April 16, 2010 at 3:34 am
Kim – thanks for the shout out! Sounds like you are an alert patient who understands now that not all the news we get from our doctors is real.
We should point out that no one ever WANTS or PLANS to make a mistake — but they happen all the time. Thousands of patients are treated each year because someone made a mistake like you’ve described. One woman I spoke to last week had part of her lung removed, only to learn she didn’t have the cancer that was the reason given that she needed the surgery.
Ask questions! Learn as much as you can about your diagnosis and treatment options. My book is available in a variety of ways, both hardcopy and digital: http://YouBetYourLifeBooks.com