If you do not advocate for yourself, you may be at the mercy of someone else’s attachments. 

Self advocacy is another one of the topics that comes up a lot. It may be one of the most important topics.

Everyone has their own agenda.

The Doctor’s agenda is to keep us alive. I appreciate that, however, not to the point that the “just in case” extra treatment is actually harming me. Sometimes their attachment to doing all the things just to be extra safe can cloud the reality.

Other people who have not experienced what you are experiencing also have their own agenda.

When I stopped taking tamoxifen because of my allergy to it people had opinions. I said, “According to the research this is protecting me from a 1.35% risk of recurrence. Since it is causing me harm and I am allergic to the ingredients it is better I not take it. I am comfortable with the risk.” The nurse in my doctor’s office tried to talk me out of it. Then a woman I had never met until this encounter said, “Well I would do anything to reduce my risk even if it is 1%! Why aren’t you doing everything?”

In both cases I had to advocate for myself. I am allergic to this med. It is harming me more than it is helping me. If you want to make this choice for yourself that is your right. Let me know if you have to make the call. For now, I will make the call that is right for me.

It is ok to be honest. It is ok to speak up for yourself. It is also ok to walk away if you are not up to dealing with other people’s nonsense. Advocating for yourself means doing what you need to do for you. Be educated on the choices you are making, then advocate for what you need.

Have you been on the receiving end of other people’s attachments?

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