A patient's wife has shared her harrowing experience advocating for her husband, Gavin, during his cancer treatment, detailing instances she describes as appalling and harmful behavior from medical professionals. The account, published on HuffPost, emphasizes the crucial need for patients and their families to actively advocate for their care.
Gavin was undergoing cancer treatment that led to significant weight loss and severe pain, making it difficult for him to eat or swallow. After an initial reluctance, he agreed to a feeding tube. However, when his wife, Carrie Severson, informed his physician assistant (PA) of his readiness for the procedure, she was met with what she perceived as an unsympathetic and dismissive response.
According to Severson, the PA responded sharply, stating she would have to restart the process with the gastrointestinal team and implying that Gavin's attitude had made her job harder. Gavin, weakened by pain and medication, could barely communicate, prompting Severson to confront the PA about her demeanor and the oath to do no harm.
Later that day, Gavin experienced a panic attack during a radiation session, requiring anti-anxiety medication. Severson noted that she remained on high alert, awaiting a call about the feeding tube, which did not come until she was contacted by another nurse who informed her that a feeding tube placement was ordered and an ER visit was necessary.
Upon arrival at the emergency room, Gavin was immediately assessed and received medical interventions. An attending physician informed Severson that Gavin's white blood cell count was dangerously low and his immune system markers were critically low, indicating he had been brought in just in time to prevent his body from shutting down.
During his eight-day hospital stay, Severson continued to advocate for Gavin. She recounts further negative interactions with the same physician assistant, who she alleges shamed Gavin and was dismissive of his pain. After overhearing the PA speaking negatively about Gavin to other staff, Severson approached the patient advocate's office.
She formally requested the PA be removed from Gavin's case, that only one staff member be in his room at a time, and that doctors communicate directly with her. These requests were granted after she signed a form authorizing her to speak on Gavin's behalf, leading to improvements in care, such as the timely delivery of liquid medication.
Eight months post-treatment, Gavin has shown no recurrence of cancer. Severson's experience led her to redefine her understanding of patient advocacy, realizing it extended beyond requesting second opinions to ensuring a patient is treated with basic human dignity, kindness, and empathy. She suggests that many patients may not have the same ability to advocate for themselves and may face even more challenging circumstances.