Reflective Essay
Reflective Essay Vivan Bearing, a Philosophy Professor of 17th Century Poetry, was informed by Dr. Kelekian that she has a very aggressive form of Stage IV ovarian cancer that has metastasized. This is described as an isidious cancer with pernicious side effects. Vivian consented to the very aggressive and experimental treatment plan that her doctor advised. Dr. Kelekian also instructed Ms. Bearing that she would have to stop teaching for her treatment. I feel that the patient here, did not realize the severity of her diagnosis and the chances of remission or treating her cancer. She seemed to believe that she was strong so she would be cured with this treatment. I think the doctor should have spent more time explaining the odds of recovery, side effects of chemotherapy, the severity of her cancer and that there was no proof she would be cancer free. Dr. Kelekian seemed to be more interested in learning and experimenting with this chemo treatment than with figuring out what Vivian actually wanted to do when presented with a realistic picture of what was to come. While receiving treatment, Vivian often felt like she wasn't included. The treatment team of Dr. Kelekian and fellow doctors would stand around her bed and talk about her and her disease as if she wasn't present in the room. In the video, Vivian stated that she wished she would have asked more questions. She was annoyed that everyone would ask, "How are you doing today?" People did not seem concerned, didn't smile or seem to really care. They would just walk in, ask how she was and what she needed, and then leave. This made the patient feel like no one cared about how she really felt. She was just another person in their routine. Eventually, Susie, a nurse, reached out to Vivian and they formed a relationship. Susie advocated for Vivan in the end of the movie when Jason, Vivian's former student and one of her doctors, called a Code Blue even though Vivian was a DNR. If I was