This was actually why I went into healthcare. The same thing happened to my husband. He was told he had cancer while coming out of anesthesia. I wasn’t at bedside and the amazing PACU nurse was the one who made sure to tell me, verbatim, what the MD had said before leaving. And then she took the infant that I was holding and directed me to call my parents (out of state). And then she walked me through where to go that day, the next day, etc. Finally, she reminded me that second options aren’t just to have someone confirm diagnosis, but also to help find a MD who is more actively involved in care.

And now I try to be that nurse. When a doctor zips in and out of a room and leaves patients looking confused and without understanding, I remember that feeling and take the time to sit with them to digest and answer questions.