Twenty-seven days waiting for breast cancer biopsy results because my oncologist is not available to discuss them until his next available appointment on March 27. I prefer not to WAIT so I called and left word for either the doctor or nurse to telephone and discuss the results.
After two days with no call back, I just need to RANT. First, I send a big old thank you to Imani for hosting Freedom Friday and giving me the Freedom to RANT today.
I meditate. I walk. I breathe. I pray. Yet, stress and anxiety surrounds me as I WAIT for an answer to a possible life-changing experience.
Fear surrounded my space when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Especially, as I went though treatment and experienced the:
- side effects of chemotherapy;
- skin damage of radiation;
- disfiguration of a lumpectomy; and
- the total loss of hair.
Today, I am not fearful of a breast cancer recurrence. But, frustrated and dissatisfied with my oncologist who I depend on for counsel, guidance, support, and advice as I meander down the path of living with an incurable health condition.
His failure to respond to my request for a call back is of great concern. And if we do not connect until March 27, I wonder if it is worthwhile to continue our physician-patient relationship.
I Need Dr. Marcus Welby
Does anybody recall the Dr. Welby television show which ran from 1969-1976? I loved watching the show with our children.
“The show is about doctors Marcus Welby, a general practitioner and Steven Kiley, b young assistant. The two try to treat people as individuals in an age of specialized medicine and uncaring doctors.” (Anonymous Writer)
This past week, I thought a lot about Dr. Welby as I compared this TV doctor’s treatment of his patients to the lack of compassion shown by my oncologist.
RANT OVER
I just received the telephone call from my oncologist’s office. The biopsy was NORMAL and REVEALED NO SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER.
Thanks to all my blogging friends and family who sent prayers and positive comments. You helped to keep me grounded as I went through the WAIT.
Closing
When I see the oncologist on March 27, I will express appreciation for the call back. Also, I will share my dissatisfaction with his clerical staff who initially refused to allow me to leave a call-back message.
She insisted there were no other options for the twenty-seven day WAIT other than being added to the wait list for a cancellation.
However, she did allow me to leave a message when I called later to tell her that the imaging facility said the results were in the oncologist’s office and that I should ask the doctor or his physician assistant to call and discuss the results over the phone.
SeasonedSistah 
Thank you God!!! We need you Yvonne and I am so grateful that we will have you longer in our lives and that you will have peace.
I changed doctors yesterday after 25 years. One shouldn’t have to suffer through 14 years of complaining to the doctor about terrible back pain. I finally demanded to be referred to a surgeon who said I had two bad hips (bone on bone). Too many other atrocities so I got up the courage to change and I feel proud of myself. Now I have hope.
One should not have to suffer 30 days to find out if they have recurrent cancer either when all the while the answer is on the doctors desk. Rant over 🙂
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Thank you, Cebby for your support. And, I appreciate having you as a friend and co-grandma to Our Little Cupcake. Hugs.
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Thank God the results were normal. However it is not “normal” to be told to wait 27 days to discuss the results of your test. The medical community could learn a lot by watching Dr Welby!!!
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I definitely plan to let my oncologist know how disappointed I am with his office. Thank you for your support.
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I am so glad you ranted about this. I’ve been ranting about it too, on your behalf. It is SO inappropriate and couldn’t possibly be the medical standard. I am REALLY glad you are going to confront him about it. I wonder if he knows his staff do things like this.
And it was such a surprise, and awesome news, to hear at the end that you are cancer free. Congratulations!!!
And yes, I remember Marcus Welby well. Watching it was a priority for me during that time. Some of those were the years I was in nursing school!
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Thank you, Karuna, for your support. Definitely, will let my doctor know about how disappointed about I am with how difficult it was for me to connect with his office during this very streusel period.
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So relieved to hear this result! In this techno age, people don’t go that extra mile …they forget to walk in the shoes of another with empathy and compassion. Thank you for sharing your experience and frustrations with us. We are all here to support you and we learn so much from you!
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Thank you, Jane. I am blessed to have you as a friend. Hugs.
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I am happy to hear the good news! I had a feeling that it was ok (normal) and that “no news is good news”…however, you have every right to be angry with your doctor’s behavior (non response). You already went through the ringer with your first diagnosis and treatment. If I were you (if you still have your scheduled appointment) I would tell my doctor how his non responsiveness made me feel.
I am also enjoying your photo Wednesdays…
Sending you love and compassion my Warrior Sister!
Ingebird
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I will definitely let the doctor know how the stress of being pushed off for 27 days to get the results of biopsy that was available three days after the procedure affected my life. I am happy the biopsy showed no evidence of a cancer recurrence. If it had, my intention was to step up and fight. Thank you for your comments and support.
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Awesome! ❤
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I am so grateful. Prepare to accept and fight, but with the remaining years remaining in this season of life I want to continue down the path of learning, exploring, creating and just plain “doing” that which brings happiness and peace into my space. Thank you for your support.
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My dear dear Sister in blogging world I really am ecstatic as I read your post here , I worried with you and this is the loveliest gift of my blogging career to date , Godbless you always and enjoy your wonderful news . Those photos of orange are lovely , new lease of life just spring from them . Kindest Regards Kathy xxx
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Thank you. I, too, appreciate the gift and daily will express my gratitude by living life in a way that will please Our Father — compassion, acts of kindness, non-judgmental, prayer, forgiveness, and the list of “doing the right thing” is never-ending.
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Love and blessings from Ireland.
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Thank you — returning love and blessings from Florida.
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