Overheard at the airport...

chrisy · 01-28-2010, 01:09 PM

OK, so I really try not to eavesdrop on people's conversations - despite how LOUDLY THEY ARE CONDUCTING THEIR "PRIVATE" CONVERSATION in public places.

But when someone sitting next to me starts up a conference call, (complete with powerpoint) and starts out talking about Her2+ breast cancer...well that's just too much!

That happened to me a couple of days ago. It seemed to be a group of people updating a list of cancer treatments. Maybe an HMO or insurance utilization committee - because they kept referring to "members" and costs (as in, we could add that, but it would add costs).

I felt a little bit like a spy...

It was quite interesting, and at times I was tempted to pass him a note when he was asking about "did anyone see anything at SABCS about this...?) but I resisted, and someone actually ON the call would eventually come up with the right answer. I was also impressed that they actually DID pay attention to the research.

Here's some random overheard comments from this call that gave me a slightly new perspective:

(When they did not have consensus on something) "Well, let's put it out there and see what the happens. I haven't heard much from the oncology community on this".

The implication being, for me, that it really does make a difference if oncologists are really pushing for a therapy...and we can help this process by continuing to bring up research if our home oncologist isn't a breast cancer specialist on the cutting edge. and that the combination of letters from the oncologists and copies of data could move the needle.

"Well, you know if it was my wife...I would definitely do it. But it is expensive". (This one took everything I had to keep from screaming "hey you (expletive deleted) I'm someone's wife, too!) I couldn't tell where exactly he stood on it, but it clearly made him uncomfortable

A fair bit of conversation around the issues of "what population is appropriate for a given test or treatment". I'm not sure if this made me hopeful (that they are actually paying attention to targeted info) or worried (that they were drawing lines in the sand daring anyone to think outside the thorougly studied box)

I wished I had gotten the chance to talk to this man, but they went through all the breast cancer stuff, then started moving on to other cancers...and I had to go catch my plane! Maybe next time...

Rich66 · 01-28-2010, 06:01 PM

Ha! I picture you sitting across from them peering over an upside down newspaper. Do they actually use beans to count with?

chrisy · 01-28-2010, 06:28 PM

Hey, watch it! Not all bean counters are evil (I am one!)

I should have had my spy shades on....

Carolyns · 01-28-2010, 06:36 PM

hmmmm.... I agree that we need to keep pushing our doctors and then standing by them and pushing right along side when they need us. I know that you are very active and brave representing us and the breast cancer community.

PS - You are not a bean counter... but there may have been some on the other end of the phone.

Where did the phrase "bean counter" come from and what is it's exact meaning?
: : : A bean counter considers only quantities when
: : : qualities should be considered. Suppose an
: : : editor of a newspaper gives pay raises to staff
: : : members on the basis of the number
: : : of articles written rather than the quality of
: : : the articles. The editor is a bean counter.

Jean · 01-29-2010, 03:50 PM

Teehee, Chrisy I can just imagine you sitting there in a beige trench coat...collar up around you neck...your eyebrows frowning....head turned so your ear could pick up the words...proves that you NEVER know who is next to you in a public place.

Remeber the old saying during WW 11 " Loose lips sink ships..(now of course this was before my time) but I remember this as a history buff...Well let's just say if your plane was not ready and waiting for you...you could have sunk his ship for sure.

Love ya,
Jean

Jackie07 · 01-29-2010, 05:30 PM

Chrisy,

You reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in Charade... I can just picture you wearing a polka-dot scarf and white-rimmed sunglasses - glancing through the newspaper in front of you...

Lori R · 01-30-2010, 08:26 AM

Chrisy,
Too funny.....very interesting insights.

I've always envisioned the "decision making process" as kind of a big,hazy cloud. Not real people, having real conversations (made even more official with a power point deck) based on the very information we try to read and keep current on.

Yikes...I'll have to try to focus when the technical details in some of the current literature becomes a little tiresome and continue to advocate with my very conservative Onc.

Thank you for providing a very ummmm...unique...perspective.

Good work OO7...Lori