Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Bonnie,

I am glad it was not anything. I can not imagine how you must feel. You are in my prayers.

Amelia

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

WOW, what an experience. Just want to send a hug and hopes for smooth sailing now.
Wow. I'd be really p'od.
More hugs,
Dian e

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Wuff Bonnie, what a story and what a great attitude on your end. Don't know if I would/could be as gracious.

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Bonnie,

I missed this thread because my niece was visiting in May - I let her use my computer most of the time after she found out that mine allows unlimited connection time.

When I was staying in the hospital overnight after my hysterectomy, the first girl who was checking on me after midnight also attempted to put the cuff on my bad arm. I yelled at her (which I'd hardly ever done in my life) and she stopped.
She's evidently not very experienced because none of the other staff made the same mistake. I asked one of the nurses about it, and she said that by the look of my chest which was covered with gause all across, she could tell that I'd had bilateral mastectomy. That's why she was extra careful.

I'm sorry that you have lost a lobe of your lung unnecessarily. But I'm happy that the test result was good. Seems we've been making the same statement several times - that we are the very few who would be happy to receive some pretty bad news as long as we are cancer free.

Really need to be careful when staying in the hospital. One young volunteer had taken me to the wrong station one time when I was receiving therapies (PT, OT, ST) after my brain surgery. The physical therapist was frantic when she finally located me.

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Cautionary tale for sure! In more ways than one... WOW. Yeah, if you don't retain a lawyer (which I don't know if I would either...), maybe at least consider reporting the experience (doctor and hospital) to the State Medical Board?

I learned from your story:

1. I have a cough currently and will be getting a chest x-ray on Monday. I WILL NOT "pass go" without a second and/or third opinion if we see anything... (PET/CT scans in the last 2 months were clear, so we really think this is simple allergy or respiratory virus).
2. Wear my right lymphedema arm in a plaster cast for the rest of my life so that incompetent boobs don't accidentally stick it with needles when I am under sedation during or post surgery.
3. There is nothing "perfect" about a storm.

I am glad you came out alive, but oy what a story. Thank you for shooting a warning shot! I am sorry that this happened to you.

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Brenda, this is why I posted. As a cautionary tale in the event another of us is in the same boat (in the perfect storm!).
I had a younger friend here who died of lung cancer. She always told me "don't settle for just a chest xray because it does not show enough". But the other side of that is, once we have had cancer, no stone goes unturned and maybe assumptions get made and there is overreaction. In my case, for instance, it would have been more prudent to wait and give me antibiotics to see if the nodules went away. But, no, the push was on. Compounded by the fact the area could only be biopsied surgically.
So I went against my instincts and did not get another opinion before agreeing to the biopsy. I know with cancer, time is of the essence, but still....not always.
I sincerely hope this helps you next week. Please let me know what happens. And please, too, always keep the faith!

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Thanks again for all the info and buyer beware advice! ...But my docs and surgeons would never let me settle for only a chest x-ray, having been a mets patient for the last 6 years. We have become pretty adept at diagnosing every little thing that appears in my body. Not to say that we couldn't be tricked by something at some point, but we are pretty good at due diligence... in my experience. That said, I appreciate your experience and WILL NOT let myself or medical team become complacent or overly anxious.

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Brenda, wow, you switched your photo up on us!
Yes, it sounds as though you and your team are better coordinated. This was my first big foray into the land of "what if..." and I learned alot from the experiece!

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Bonnie,

Whew!

Joan

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OMG Bonnie! What a story!!
Sounds like the tornado has passed and now you are back to blue skies!!

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Bonnie,
I am so sorry to read your posts!
That are nightmarish to say the least.
I at first reading was shocked that you could or would be a stage IV....then as I read the full story I was just horrified.

I can only relate in a very small way...I had a ct scan which showed a nodule ...have been watching it for 5 yrs. now (also had pneumonia twice years ago). Also in a bad location to biopsey...so we watched it first by treating with a strong antibiotic (which did not change the size etc.) but it did in the year get smaller. Now have another one we are watching and it is not changing. At first I was very concerned waiting those months...but the dr. did slow down the process saying we are observing and in three months will go back and check again. With no change - we moved to 6months, while all the time I will admit I was a bit worried.

I have to say - what you have gone through sounds very much like you should at the very least consult with a professional attorney.

Once again I am deeply sorry that you and your husband had to endure such stress. But on the positive side, I am so thrilled you are NED. I wish you a speedy healing.

Best Wishes,
Jean

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Jean, you and I have always had a similar story! It certainly sounds as though your team is taking the more measured, conservative approach. And one which the pulmonolgist who I am NOW seeing (after the horse is out of the barn!) would have recommended. Additionally, the final pathology never did exactly pin point the organism that was present. It seemed to be an old pneumonia. I intend to send it to another lab for clarification. Just letting the dust settle before I start persuing other paths.
Thank you so much for the kind words. Please let me know what you learn as you go along. I will keep you posted as well if there are new developments.
And keep the faith!

Re: Bad News/Good News/Keep the Faith
 

Bonnie, I too entirely missed this thread originally. Jeez....

You and I (and probably too many others as well) have learned in life, or have a tendency... not to listen as closely to our own intuitions when in doubt... It is so hard to keep everything in focus at such times.

It does shake up our ability to trust, and it doesn't help to have the surgeon who was erroneously confident in the first place come in and say something that self-centered to you.

Thanks for explaining it so clearly, so that we all can learn from your experience.

The legal path isn't easy, yet I too wonder who might be next with that surgeon... and think that some kind of slap might be important in that regard.

Best to you in your recovery,

AlaskaAngel

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Bonnie,
As I was reading your story, I was so glad to see it was NOT Lung cancer..Man; I can't believe that you needless went thru the surgery and to top it off they put an IV in your "No" arm. Unbelievable.
Relish your good health.. I am soo very happy for you.

Kris...