"From professional to patient"

Thank you for reading my story - other similar stories can be found in a book that CLICSargent developed called 'looking forward'.

I believe that as a result of radiotherapy for childhood cancer and life stresses I developed breast cancer. Although the experience of having cancer is hard, I noticed that a number of things that could have been avoided, made the situation much harder:

- lack of staff

- lack of communication between the staff and myself

- lack of communication between SHO and consultant

- lack of communicatin skills by some doctors (making an assumption, instead of asking me questions)

- lack of confidentiality

etc.

As a professional I know that person centred care is significant, however to make this happen I think it important for doctors to develop listening skills - I believe that being a leader does not only mean good verbal skills, also good listening skills are essential. (A Dutch saying is 'talking is like silver, being quiet is like gold', hihi).

Thanks for letting me tell my story