Should you take a look at your medical report before meeting with your clinician? In most cases, the answer is no.
When it comes to deciphering medical jargon, we all have different levels of understanding and experience. However, we tend to share the same mental and emotional response when we reach our limit of understanding. That response usually is some mix of confusion, fear, and desperation.
Recently, I was startled awake by an early call from my mom asking me to interpret her new abdominal scan, which had just appeared in her online medical file. Groggy and without my glasses, I somehow managed to log into her account. “Evidence of tumor recurrence along the margin,” I read aloud, trying at the same time to calm her down, search for my glasses, and scan the rest of the information. After a second look, I realized I’d misread the report. “Oh, wait—I meant to say there’s no evidence of tumor recurrence.” My heart raced as I grasped the seriousness of the moment. Aware that I wasn’t fully qualified to interpret the results, I hesitated to continue reading the report. (While I am a scientist, I am not a radiologist –, a doctor who specializes in reading scans.) However, my mom insisted, “I’d rather hear it all from you today. My appointment is three weeks away.” I continued reading, only half understanding what I was saying. I explained what I could. But it made me wonder: 🧐 What if I misinterpreted her results? What if I hadn’t re-read the report that second time?
Instead of peeking at the report, here are some tips while waiting for your clinician’s interpretation:
🫶🏽 Be kind to yourself during the wait. Find small moments of joy. You can take a coffee break, a nap, or a walk in nature. It’s okay to lean on your support network. You can phone a friend, reach out to members of your community-oriented or faith-based group, or contact your therapist for guidance.
🧘 Manage stress with physical and mental exercises. You may be struggling to find peace or are having physical symptoms of dread, such as dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, or sweating. It is important to recognize these feelings. Here are some tips that may help you cope when experiencing dread. You may also consider active mindfulness, which is the practice of being aware of our feelings, actions, and surroundings in the present moment. And because physical activities can boost your mental health, staying active can provide both mental and physical health benefits.
📓 Be proactive. Get ready for your appointment with your clinician by writing down any questions you have in advance. During the meeting, take notes or bring someone along to help you remember key points.
Remember, your clinician is there to guide you through this process.
Stay well!
Love, Those Nerdy Girls
