The List | Geoffrey Seidel | TEDxHoodCollege | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A nurse with over 45 years of experience discusses the difficult choices and options faced by patients after receiving a cancer diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of communication and making the most of the time left.

Key Insights

• 😀 Effective communication and support are essential for patients facing a cancer diagnosis.
• 😍 Patients often go through the stages of grief after receiving a cancer diagnosis, and it's important not to rush or skip any of these stages.
• 😨 Patients have options for treatment, including doing nothing, standard of care, clinical trials, or a combination.
• 🥰 Reaching acceptance and making meaningful connections with loved ones is crucial in the face of an uncertain prognosis.
• 😷 Clinical trials offer hope and an opportunity to contribute to medical research.
• 😨 Palliative care and hospice care can provide comfort and support for patients nearing the end of their lives.
• ✊ Financial and legal matters should be addressed, including advanced directives and power of attorney for healthcare.
• 🏃 The exercise of prioritizing important things and people in life helps individuals realize their true values and encourages meaningful communication.

Transcript

please give a warm tedx Hood College welcome to Jeffrey Seidel thank you good evening Welcome to our Ted X talk and thank you Dr Littlefield for putting this together my name is Jeff Seidel and I've been a registered nurse now for over 45 years and I've done everything from critical care to emergency care to oncology to clinical trials research wit... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the stages of grief that patients typically go through after receiving a cancer diagnosis?

The stages of grief, as researched by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Going through all these stages is crucial, as not doing so may hinder reaching acceptance.

Q: What are the options available to patients after receiving a cancer diagnosis?

Patients have several options, including doing nothing, pursuing standard of care treatments, participating in clinical trials, or a combination of these options. Each choice has its benefits and should be discussed with medical professionals.

Q: What is the potential benefit of participating in clinical trials?

Clinical trials offer the opportunity to access new treatments and contribute to medical research. They provide hope for improved outcomes and are available for various diseases, not just cancer.

Q: How can patients cope with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis?

Patients should reach out to their loved ones and express their feelings and fears openly. Having conversations, making final arrangements, and seeking support from hospice or palliative care can help with emotional and practical aspects of this difficult journey.

Summary

In this TEDx talk, Jeffrey Seidel, a registered nurse with over 45 years of experience, discusses how to approach and cope with a cancer diagnosis. He explains the five stages of grief and emphasizes the importance of going through each stage in order to reach acceptance. Seidel also explores the different options available to cancer patients, including doing nothing, standard care, clinical trials, or a combination of treatments. He highlights the significance of cherishing relationships and recommends reaching out to loved ones to express their importance.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Seidel's professional background?

Jeffrey Seidel has been a registered nurse for over 45 years and has worked in various areas such as critical care, emergency care, oncology, and clinical trials research with the National Cancer Institute.

Q: What does Seidel's disclaimer state?

Seidel mentions that he is sharing his own experiences and is not representing any organization or the federal government. He also warns that the discussion might touch on sensitive topics such as cancer, loss, and relationships.

Q: What are the five stages of grief according to Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross?

The five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Seidel explains that these stages apply not only to terminal patients but also to those experiencing any type of loss.

Q: Why is it important to go through all five stages of grief?

Seidel emphasizes that going through all five stages is crucial to reaching acceptance. Skipping a stage or rushing through it may result in being called back to that stage before achieving acceptance.

Q: How can clinical trials be beneficial for cancer patients?

Seidel expresses his support for clinical trials, which provide opportunities for novel research and the discovery of new treatments. He recommends visiting clinicaltrials.gov, an NIH-sponsored website, to explore various clinical trial options.

Q: What are the options for cancer patients?

Cancer patients have several options, including doing nothing, opting for standard care, participating in clinical trials, or combining different treatment approaches. Seidel also mentions the possibility of enrolling in a clinical trial specifically designed for chemotherapy and surgery naive patients.

Q: How does Seidel encourage patients to approach their remaining time?

Seidel urges patients to focus on what truly matters to them by crossing off two items from a list of activities, people, and possessions. He reminds them to make the most of their limited time and spend it with the people and experiences that hold the greatest significance.

Q: What advice does Seidel give for patients who are reaching the end of their journey?

For patients who have limited time remaining, Seidel recommends getting their affairs in order, including creating or updating an advanced directive, arranging their financial matters, and considering palliative or hospice care for comfort.

Q: What is the final assignment given by Seidel?

Seidel challenges the audience to contact the last remaining person on their list within the next 24 to 40 hours and express how important they are in their life. He encourages them to take responsibility for the assignment and attribute it to "this old nurse."

Q: What is Seidel's main message to the audience?

Seidel hopes that his talk has provided the audience with a new perspective and appreciation for the importance of relationships. He encourages them to cherish their loved ones and express their importance before it's too late.

Takeaways

Jeffrey Seidel's TEDx talk highlights the importance of going through the stages of grief to reach acceptance when facing a cancer diagnosis. He emphasizes the significance of cherishing relationships and encourages individuals to express their appreciation to loved ones while they still have the chance. Seidel also explores the different options available for cancer treatment, including standard care and clinical trials. By sharing his experience and expertise, Seidel aims to provide support and guidance to both patients and caregivers during their difficult journey.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, a nurse, shares his experience working with cancer patients and emphasizes that his opinions are based on his personal experience, not representing anyone else.

• He discusses the sensitive topics of cancer, loss, and relationships, acknowledging that the audience may find them challenging.

• He introduces the stages of grief and illustrates how they apply to patients facing a cancer diagnosis, highlighting the importance of reaching acceptance.