I don’t think I’ve ever been as furious with a doctor as I have been today. Six weeks ago we were told that it was unclear whether the tumor was successfully treated or not and to wait six weeks for another ultrasound to accurately measure any increases in size using that first ultrasound as the baseline.
So off we go. More than 90 minutes creeping along the LA freeways to travel 20 miles. We check in at one office and are sent up to another floor to get the ultrasound done. Sorry, it can’t be done -- the technician is on vacation. Vacation. He’s not there not because of a family or personal emergency or something unexpected, but a planned vacation. Were we notified beforehand? No. Were any of the other unhappy patients notified? No. But not to worry because they can do the other imaging.
The whole point of this appointment was to determine whether the surgery and radiation took care of this tumor because the doctor had some uncertainty. We’ve agonized and put other medical problems/treatments on hold until this was clarified because if the tumor was still a problem, then other surgeries were needed to address that first.
We meet with the doctor. She goes off on tangents related to the fallout from the previous surgery and we have to get her back on track. Now she says that the other imaging and her personal exam is sufficient to determine, in her opinion, that the tumor is no longer active. Pushing her, she qualifies that statement that this is without seeing a new ultrasound but she’s pretty certain about it although we should schedule another ultrasound ASAP just to be sure. That will take weeks.
I had to push her to get an apology for the mixup with scheduling, but she put the blame for that on others. She acted the whole time like none of this was a big deal -- ignoring most everything she discussed with us last time. There’s more, but that’s the gist of it.
Anyhow, I was not polite but kept myself in check without losing it. Mrs Sven broke down in tears halfway through.
Not a good day and I don’t know if we know anything more than we did last night. Seriously thinking now of going out of state for a second opinion on this before proceeding with treatments for the other cancer.
Thread pic: Likely taking lessons from coons.
Happy Tuesday, GN. Off to LA for medical stuff -- this may lead to some clarification of the road ahead, altho I have a bad feeling about it.
Best wishes to you both.
Happy Tuesday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, Sven, and Mac!
Sven -- prayers for a positive outcome for you and Mrs. Sven. May you feel God’s comforting presence as you negotiate this path together.
Thank you again for your prayers and good wishes.
I don’t think I’ve ever been as furious with a doctor as I have been today. Six weeks ago we were told that it was unclear whether the tumor was successfully treated or not and to wait six weeks for another ultrasound to accurately measure any increases in size using that first ultrasound as the baseline.
So off we go. More than 90 minutes creeping along the LA freeways to travel 20 miles. We check in at one office and are sent up to another floor to get the ultrasound done. Sorry, it can’t be done -- the technician is on vacation. Vacation. He’s not there not because of a family or personal emergency or something unexpected, but a planned vacation. Were we notified beforehand? No. Were any of the other unhappy patients notified? No. But not to worry because they can do the other imaging.
The whole point of this appointment was to determine whether the surgery and radiation took care of this tumor because the doctor had some uncertainty. We’ve agonized and put other medical problems/treatments on hold until this was clarified because if the tumor was still a problem, then other surgeries were needed to address that first.
We meet with the doctor. She goes off on tangents related to the fallout from the previous surgery and we have to get her back on track. Now she says that the other imaging and her personal exam is sufficient to determine, in her opinion, that the tumor is no longer active. Pushing her, she qualifies that statement that this is without seeing a new ultrasound but she’s pretty certain about it although we should schedule another ultrasound ASAP just to be sure. That will take weeks.
I had to push her to get an apology for the mixup with scheduling, but she put the blame for that on others. She acted the whole time like none of this was a big deal -- ignoring most everything she discussed with us last time. There’s more, but that’s the gist of it.
Anyhow, I was not polite but kept myself in check without losing it. Mrs Sven broke down in tears halfway through.
Not a good day and I don’t know if we know anything more than we did last night. Seriously thinking now of going out of state for a second opinion on this before proceeding with treatments for the other cancer.
I am so sorry, my friend. What you and Mrs. Sven experienced is just unprofessional and inexcusable. I think a second opinion is a prudent option.