Narrative Medicine, Essay Example

A patient who diagnosed with breast cancer and had her breast removed.

The history of a narrative indicates medicine practiced accompanied by narrative competence. This narrative competence encompasses an understanding of very complex narrative occurrences among patients, their doctors, the public and colleagues. Four features are highlighted in a narrative account. They include diagnostic encounters, which focus on encouraging empathy relationship building between the health care provider and patient. Secondly, they are executed as a therapy enabling a holistic management approach. Thirdly, narrative medicine are undertaken to educate of patients and health care professionals. The fourth feature is for research purposes when the interventionists generate hypotheses and adopt a patient centered agenda (Charon, 2001).

This narrative medicine written by me lies within the first category whereby the interventionists (me) attempts to establish a stronger relationship between the health care provider and patient. Mrs. M.L relates, ‘a few days during April, 2013 I observed a fluid coming out of my breast. Well, I am past menopause and even though I breast fed my seven children it was unusual to me that any substance should be coming from my breast. At age 53 certainly this was a matter of concern. More importantly, as I tried squeezing my breast, the fluid became bloody even though the site was not painful.

I felt no bumps or observed any unusual texture such as an orange skin appearance anywhere on the left breast from where the fluid was draining. Being very scare to tell anyone I waited for a few days to see whether a substance will return while I was praying that it did not. The very next day some more bloody fluid came and immediately I called my eldest daughter explaining what was happening to me.

She was just astound and alarmed as I was. Soon my daughter began relating how this was the same way her friend saw blood coming from her breast and was later diagnosed with breast cancer. I froze and believed she did too because we did not speak for about 15 minutes. In the background however, I could hear her sobbing and I was too. After about half an hour we broke the silence. She advised me to seek medical attention immediately.

Two days later an appointment was made to see my primary care provider. After explaining my concern he began to take a number of tests including a mammogram. After the first mammogram results the physician suspected cancer growths, but sent me for further diagnostic testing, which lasted several weeks before a final diagnosis was made. During this time my blood pressure began to escalate and was not being controlled by the medication I was taking form years. Eventually, my primary care admitted me for observation and management (Yu, Liang & Yuan, 2010).

It was while being hospitalized for two weeks that my primary care broke the dreadful news that it the bleeding was due to a growth which was malignant. However, it did not spread to the lymphatic system and immediate surgery was advised to arrest its progress. I communicated this information to my children who supported me during the decision making process. The decision was made or surgery within two weeks. My primary care allowed me to go home for five days in preparation to meet my family members and take care of some person business (Yu, Liang & Yuan, 2010).

This was an awesome emotional experience. The surgery was successful according to the surgeon. There would be no need for immediate chemotherapy or radiation. Here I am recovery from the surgery and scary experience.’

References

Charon, R. (2001). Narrative medicine: A model for empathy, reflection, profession, and trust. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 286 (15); 1897–1902.

Yu, Y. Liang, C., & Yuan, X. (2010). Diagnostic value of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy for breast carcinoma: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Breast cancer research and treatment 120 (2): 469–79.