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A Bad Day For Me with Doctors

Aug 19, 2008 07:20PM - 21 comments

I had an appointment to discuss the surgery I am to have on Thursday.  My ONC showed me the PET Scan and the position of the tumor.  The tumor, by the way that my first surgeon has on his report was left there during his surgery. He did not inform my family nor myself of it's existence.  He told all of us in different meetings that there was one tumor about the size of a small melon and when he pulled it out, it pulled out clean.  He said I had an excellent chance at remission after the surgery and chemo.  I had no remission at all. The tumor remained there the entire time.
It may have been the location was too tough to try to get it. It is ledged between the ureter and intestines.(colon)  It will be a difficult surgery. He will also stage my surgery. He said I am classified as "unstaged" now because the lymph nodes and ometrum, etc... were not biopsied. He will do it this surgery. This tumor will be sent away to determine whether it is estrogen receptive AND many different types of chemo's will be tested on it to see which chemo's we stand a better chance with this time around. This has never been done on my tumor so I am hoping it will give me a better chance at a long remission this time around.

Later while running some heart tests they found an electrical problem.  I was called as soon as I got home and told to be back there tomorrow to meet with the cardiologist to have additional tests to see if I can have the surgery on Thursday.  I have had a horrible day...filled with tears and heartache. To top that, I can't eat or drink after midnight tonight until Thursday.  Another thing this doctor does is empty the bowels before surgery. That was not done on my other surgery, which makes me wonder if that is why the smaller tumor was impossible to get.  It seems if there is no solid matter in the intestines, they can be pushed flat to get to the areas they may need to get to. Sounds sensible to me anyway.

Here's hoping tomorrow will bring a brighter day.
Teresa

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by TrudieC, Aug 19, 2008 07:50PM
I am so angry at your original doctor.  I can't imagine someone being that idiotic and cruel!  I'm so sorry this is happening to you Teresa.  It sounds like you are in really good hands now and I do hope and pray this doctor will work his magic on you.  Positive thoughts and love are being sent your way for this surgery.  

Hugs, Trudie

by JC145, Aug 19, 2008 08:24PM
How absolutely horrible for you and the family.  How dare you tell someone you removed a tumor when, in fact, you left it there.  I had to empty the bowels before my debulking .. I suppose for that reason you mentioned .. that makes sense.  There are no words to make sense of what you are going through .. it's adding insult to injury.  I hope and pray your heart will be fine and you can move forward.  Judy

by Teresa222, Aug 19, 2008 08:38PM
Thank you Judy and Trudie.  It took me a long time to figure out what went on and why things may have gone wrong. My ONC did not tell me these things.  I just figured as we've gone along on this supposedly new tumor in discussing it and it's treatment from this point forward. I did not have anything to empty my bowels before my first surgery.  The rest came from asking my family what was told to them about what was said after my surgery and whether my memory matched theirs, it did.  It was mentioned by my ONC today about testing the tumor to see which chemo's were best to treat it. I asked him if that had been done before and he said no.  Well doggone it! I was treated with chemo that didn't knock out my cancer.  Did I was all that suffering for naught? That is what it seems to me. Surely, it got some cells.

Now I have my heart problem which may delay this surgery. Let's hope pray it doesn't. I'm sorry..I'm not very helpful with others today. I'm taking a pill and going to bed.  My eyes are so sore from crying so much today.
Teresa

by bohan54, Aug 20, 2008 05:39AM
Teresa,
I am also shedding tears for the way your treatment was mishandled.  They ought to do this surgery for FREE!
Sharon

by lvfrogs, Aug 20, 2008 05:47AM
Teresa,
i am sorry that you have gone through so much and there really is no excuse!! I just don't understand some doctors. Thank God for the good ones because there sure seems to be some incompetent ones out there.  I will pray that your heart problem will be minor and fixable, so you can have the surgery.  Sending big hugs to you! Colleen

by vegas2cr, Aug 20, 2008 06:47AM
Waaaa Teresa how could any Doctor be that insensitive and incompentent??? How could any surgeon leave cancer inside.. I guess we will never know.. Heres hoping today is a much better day.. sending you love and hugs.. Ronni

by marleerose, Aug 20, 2008 07:38AM
Teresa, I am appalled that any medical professional could be so incompetent! My entire being hurts for you and I hope your surgery goes off as planned and that the heart issue is a minor bump in the road. Prayers, hugs, love are all coming your way! Barb

by Teresa222, Aug 20, 2008 08:52AM
The thing is I know that the other doctor has an good reputation.  I feel like I am an exception to the rule.  I only know one other patient there and she is very happy with everything. And she is a sharp patient. It was a Saturday morning,not his normal surgery day.  Perhaps he had a team in the operationing room that didn't work his way. There could be all sorts of factors.  I am telling you ladies this JUST so you will learn something for the future. We all learn by our mistakes and successes.
Teresa

by msjazz, Aug 20, 2008 09:01AM
Teresa I don't know what to say. It is bad enough when things are done right the first time and go wrong, but this is like unreal. I know about the tears and fears, and I am so sorry you are going thru this. I wish I could come be with you. The front page of our Sunday paper was covered with a Jackson dr, 68, that had to pay a 1 1/2 million lawsuit for negligence. I know this makes insurance go up, but maybe it gets some of these dr.s attention. (A man lost his leg after this dr did surgery and failed on numerous followups to see the man had staff infection.)
I will pray this gets worked out and everything will get better soon,  Love Donna


by marie3B, Aug 20, 2008 09:30AM
I am so sorry that this has happened.  I hope the heart issue won't delay the surgery.  My docs did not do a bowel cleansing before my debulking either.  It scared me since I had been severley constipated for weeks.  I get so mad at these doctors that just think they can tell us only what they feel like letting us know.  These are our bodies, not theirs.  If the tumor was left behind he should have told you.  My tumors were not tested for sensitivity to chemo or estrogen either.  Seems like that should be routine.  Why put us through the torture when they don't even know if they are trying the right one?  I am really mad and sad and I wish I could help fix this for you.  Love, Marie

by Jan214, Aug 20, 2008 09:48AM
Dear T,

I don't know what to say.  I am very sorry this has happened.  I am going to schedule a CT.  You have me more shaken than when I found out I had cancer.  I slept most of the day after chemo, but woke up at 2 am and read this.  I haven't been back to sleep since.  I am going to take a pill and go to bed.  Now I have to wonder if some heinous thing is lurking in me.  Sorry to make your journal about me, but now I am scared to death.
I do hope everything goes well tomorrow.  Is it at Vandy?  Can Cory and I come visit?  Please call and let me know what room you are in afterwards because of course with HIPPA they won't even admit you are a patient without that little code.
Good luck honey.
Love,
Jan

by Sherrygail, Aug 20, 2008 09:48AM
Teresa,
My heart bleeds for you.  No one should have to be put through all you have been.  I cannot believe this doc showed so much incompetence.  Mistake? Yes, but not to that extent.  I will keep praying for you that your heart will be strong enough and that you will be able to have the surgery Thursday, or very soon.  I know you are very strong mentally and will handle all this like a champ.  We are all here for you.   Love, Sherrygail

by marie3B, Aug 20, 2008 10:11AM
Weren't they calling this a hematoma at first?  That seems sneaky if they knew it was left behind from the surgery.  I am so upset about this.  I want the surgery done and overwith for you so they can start treating this.  You will not leave my thoughts and prayers.  Love (again), Marie

by onniebay, Aug 20, 2008 01:10PM
I'm so sorry to hear all this.  Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.  

by Teresa222, Aug 20, 2008 03:07PM
Friends:
I just got back from the cardiologist.  All is well. Well, it wasn't 100% ok, but they found an old heart problem I have called a Right Bundle Branch Block.  There is nothing that can be done for it.  I told the gal yesterday in Pre Admitting that that is what it was. They had to make sure. So, the Cardiologist says to me, "Do you want me to do lot of heart tests on you Teresa, and postpone your surgery or do you want to go ahead with your surgery tomorrow?" I said I want my surgery YESTERDAY.  So....I will be admitted tomorrow morning at 8am with my family in tow.

I am drinking that nasty stuff now that makes us go pooh x 2000! (Magnesium Citrate)  I can't wait for the results to be in. LOL

I want to give this cancer a big kick this time for sure. I feel like I am on a merry-go-round.  Surgery....chemo...surgery...chemo.  I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about and have been there worse than my situation.  I just cranked up my laptop to get it up to snuff before I try to use it in the hospital.  I will try to let ya'll know what is going on.  I know I'll have questions for ya'll while I'm there. I don't want to be without a hotline to all my friends here.
T

by marie3B, Aug 20, 2008 03:18PM
I am glad they can go ahead and get this done. You sound (in writing, anyway) like you are strong and ready to beat this in a hurry.  I have not stopped thinking of you and praying for you since this was found.  I sure won't stop now.  You are a great person and I want you healthy again asap!  Love,  Marie

by Teresa222, Aug 20, 2008 03:25PM
Marie,
Thank you. And yes, it was at first called a hemotoma.  That was until they saw the PET Scan and of course, had already biopsied it.  The records were checked and they discovered it was there during my initial surgery.  

I appreciate you kind words Marie. You are such a sweet person.
T

by crecco, Aug 20, 2008 03:33PM
  Teresa,
    I am thinking about you and I wil keep you in my prayers that your surgery goes well. Know that we will all be cheering you on.
   I also cannot believe the way your first Dr handled you! To leave something like that and not tell you, well... I do not care if it was New Years Eve, he flat out did not do what he was supposed to and then lied to you about it! I don't understand why he did not do a bowel prep either.
You will kick this in the butt!
   Love Chris

by dawnlyn, Aug 20, 2008 03:52PM
Teresa,

I too feel bad about the results with your first doctor.  I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  I remember the bowel prep, I had to do that in a hotel room because they wanted me at hospital at 6 am and was 3 hours away....So I stayed in hotel room It was a nice room, lol.  I will be thinking of you....

Love,
Dawnlyn

by bohan54, Aug 20, 2008 06:29PM
Know that you are in our thoughts as you go through this a second and LAST time.  We will be sending you strength in our numbers.
Sharon

by JC145, Aug 20, 2008 07:49PM
Go get em, Teresa .. give them he**.  I will be praying for you tomorrow.  Judy

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