Really Doctor?
Restore a man to his health, his purse lies open to thee. ~Robert Burton
I went to see the oncologist on Friday afternoon and I left the office frustrated. Not only did I have to pay a $40 co-payment but I had to take 1 1/2 hours off from work unpaid. Add that together. The co-pay plus the unpaid time equals about $55 out of my pocket in addition to gas…$10 for a grand total of $65.
For $65 I expected answers, progress and plans for the future. Instead I got confusion and no where fast. I’d like my money back or at least the next round for free.
The CT Scan showed there are multiple tumors in my abdomen but I’ve been telling them that because I can feel them. My belly has swollen to twice the size it was in February and although I am a big girl I look pregnant. There are also multiple tumors on my liver and tumors, not lesions on my lungs.
I had some blood work done and there were three different markers done. The one for pancreatic cancer came back fine so that’s a ray of sunshine in a pile of shit. Its the other two markers that stink. The markers for colon and ovarian cancer came back 15 times higher than that of a normal person.
Here’s the problem…the board of oncologists at the hospital cannot conclude whether or not I have recurrent ovarian cancer or colon cancer.
Even bigger problem…ovarian cancer and colon cancer are treated differently.
So where does this leave me?
Without treatment…
In pain…
Sick…
The doctor needs more information but I’m not sure what he needs or where he’s going to get it but if he does he will give me a call. Otherwise I’ll have to lose another $65 - $80 in two weeks for my next doctor’s appointment.
In the mean time I’m going over every symptom I’ve had over the course of six years…anything that can help these doctors diagnose what cancer I have.
I want to get this show on the road.
I want to rock n’ roll.
I’m ready to fight, showdown and kick some ass.
Filed under Cancer Sucks |22 Responses to “Really Doctor?”
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9:20 am on May 18th, 2008
I am $10,000 in debt after a year of tests to tell me “well, I don’t know - see me in 3 months”. THANKS. shithead.
I am so sorry that you’re not getting the answers you NEED in order to start treatment.
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near Yous last blog post..Mommyfest Giveaway Winners
9:25 am on May 18th, 2008
I’m so sorry your are going through this (again!). Dealing with clueless doctors can be maddening.
The end of your post made me smile and I swear I could hear Rocky’s theme song playing.
9:29 am on May 18th, 2008
This doctor has two weeks to get his shit together or I’m going some place else because in one year??? One year? If I had to endure one year of tests without treatment in the condition I’m in I’d be dead.
That’s not going to happen.
10:04 am on May 18th, 2008
Wow, you mean I could have gone to medical school, put MD after my name and still give the answers I would give now not as a doctor? “I don’t know” isn’t an acceptable answer in my classroom, and would definitely not work when talking to my doctors. I hope they get this worked out Lisa so you can do some serious ass kicking!
Chattys last blog post..Bean Town
10:24 am on May 18th, 2008
I hope you get some solid answers soon.
One of THE most frustrating things for my loved one with cancer was how hard it was to get an accurate diagnosis so they could start treatment.
Keep fighting!
11:29 am on May 18th, 2008
I love you. The fact that you see this as an opportunity to kick some ass, rather than to feel sorry for yourself (even though you have every right in the world to do that too) is awe-inspiring and leaves no question as to why you’ve beaten this bastard disease twice already.
Tense Teachers last blog post..Poppy Meme
11:34 am on May 18th, 2008
BAH! Can’t they just simultaneously start 2 treatments for both that way there are no mistakes, no loss of time, no anything?! Also, I’m for them only charging for one… see that two for the price of one. Actually, honestly I feel that with treatment it should be buy one with a lifetime guarantee. You shouldn’t have paid after the first time. Next appointment make sure you inform your doctor that you signed up for the lifetime warranty the first time.
girlinthecrosswalks last blog post..Weirdest ever.
11:50 am on May 18th, 2008
Geez, what the hell? I hope these docs get their shit together and figure out what to do for you really soon.
12:26 pm on May 18th, 2008
It’s funny that I mistrust doctors, being that my father and grandfather and great uncle were doctors. They were GOOD doctors. No one measures up anymore.
annies last blog post..I Know You Don’t Come Here for Thought Provoking Conversation…
12:38 pm on May 18th, 2008
I’m with Chatty here, Lisa. “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer. This whole doctor situation befuddles and alarms me. However, your spirit amazes me.
12:51 pm on May 18th, 2008
You know that it was an unacceptable answer for me in the exam room with that doctor on Friday as well. Especially after every thing I’ve been through with doctors.
Musing, This is exactly what I’m going through…getting an accurate diagnosis.
I think it’s both ovarian and colon but no one wants to hear that because it would be too complicated to treat.
Tense, I used to feel sorry for myself and I did that very well. I’m also sure there will be moments when I will feel sorry for myself.
Right now I’m in “kick ass” mode so let’s go with it
girl, They are going to start some kind of treatment in two weeks no matter what. The problem is that ovarian and colon cancer are treated differently.
Karl, Me too.
12:54 pm on May 18th, 2008
That’s one of the biggest issues with doctors today. They have too many patients.
CajunV, I’m just pissy about spending the money and not getting any where. I’m on board with the doctor in determining exactly what I have and I understand his befuddlement over the blood results.
I’d rather he get it right than rush into a conclusion for the sake of a conclusion but OUCH, my pocketbook.
2:31 pm on May 18th, 2008
I feel your frustration. I have a blood disease and about every 4 months they say “why don’t we try this?”..it’s a total crapshoot because I don’t respond to the regular treatment. I also work for myself and lose a few hundred dollars every time I have to see the doc (let’s not go into the $3000 in medical bills I have sitting on my desk (since January!))
You go and kick some ass. We are all behind you!!!!
3:50 pm on May 18th, 2008
And you can’t, like, treat them both at once, eh?
Fuck Cancer. Argh.
Miss Britts last blog post..Last Minute Post
4:42 pm on May 18th, 2008
I’m sorry you are going through this. I can say “I know how you feel.” I have the same exact thing. Go through the same exact thing, except I stay at home. But it is still pure hell. I have been having procedures where they drain the fluid off of my abdomen and it has worked. I have lost almost 40 pounds. I take tamoxifen and have radiation treatments. I feel for you and your are in my prayers. If you want to chat, Twitter me @spoiledmom, or contact me at my website and I can tell you what the diagnosis is for getting the drainage, if you want to swap stories.
This is my second time kicking cancer ass, too.
Take care of you.
Chrissy@SpoiledMoms last blog post..Spoiled Sunday
5:53 pm on May 18th, 2008
OMG how absolutely frustrating!! Keeping good thoughts and prayers going your way Rocky - kick some ass!
Tugs last blog post..Happy Friday!
9:33 pm on May 18th, 2008
lisa - hubby had post-transplant lymphoma. His tumors were attached to his intestines and his abdomen had also swollen to the point he looked like he was 9 months pregnant. His stomach had fluid from his lymph system built up due to the tumors. The lymphoma type was large-b cell cancer and was treated at first with a drug called Rituxamib - which really was a receptor blocker rather than chemo. His cancer was too far along though - and it was really too late for any treatment to work.
I’m sure your doctors have checked for everything - but I wanted to let you know as you share some of the symptoms he had.
I know this is growing so frustrating for you - but you have so many people in your corner. You’ll get the answers you need soon. I have faith.
Willo Keayss last blog post..Chaos
10:17 pm on May 18th, 2008
Britt, That’s what I gather. Fucking cancer.
Chrissy, That’s a lot of weight to lose from draining fluid but I understand because these tumors have cause weight gain for me. I’ll probably be in touch.
Tug, Kicking ass is exactly what I want to do!
Willow, I’m so sorry to hear about your husbands story
As far as I know at the present time my doctors are going with chemotherapy and haven’t given up any hope that it can at least shrink some of these tumors.
I know I’m not about to give up hope yet.
What am I supposed to do? Crawl into a corner, suck my thumb and die? NO WAY!
11:29 pm on May 18th, 2008
I can’t even begin to imagine the frustration. I had no idea they had to know what kind to do anything, you’d think they could at least start doing something.
I hope someone gives you answers soon.
janes last blog post..
6:21 am on May 19th, 2008
Lisas last blog post..Really Doctor?
4:56 pm on May 19th, 2008
YOu know what I hate? I hate how doctors are so laid back about scheduling and getting things moving. Why can’t have more of a sense of urgency? I’m hoping you get some answers soon.
Black Belt Mamas last blog post..One is the Lonliest Number
7:12 am on May 21st, 2008