Because, when the surgeon came in to see me, he asked me if this was a routine, follow-up visit, and I had to update him about the lump I felt, the ultrasound and mammogram results, etc. Sigh. I told him I had copies of the results with me and he asked me to give them to the receptionists to make copies for his files.
Anyway, he examined me and gave me his opinion without the benefit of, or being biased by, the scan results! LOL. He thought he felt more than one cyst, he thought it felt more like a thickening of the tissue, maybe even a clogging of a blood vessel, and that it was in the skin layer; he didn't think it was cancer, though. He said he could remove it if I wanted and it could probably be done during an office visit, but he said, if it didn't bother me, to leave it in place because, due to the radiation treatment, any incision he might make will take a long time, from several weeks to several months, to heal! Well, the cyst doesn't hurt me or anything and, as long as we are sure it is not cancer, it doesn't bother me, so I decided to leave it in place! What I don't need, at this point, is another wound that won't heal for several weeks or months!
He, too, remarked on the redness and swelling and said it was due to the damage from the radiation. He said my body was trying to heal and repair itself and there were a lot of new blood vessels as a result. I assured him it looked worse, earlier (it is, after all, almost one year since the radiation was completed).
Anyway, I have an appointment to see him again, in two months. I know his office staff made copies of my scan results from my copies. What I don't have is a copy of the actual mammogram results, only the letter I received stating that the results were normal. I shall be sure to request a copy of that, if there is one, when I go to see the oncologist, at the end of this month. I shall also update the oncologist on my visit with the surgeon.
I felt physically and emotionally drained after my visit to the surgeon. So, I just came home and rested and sewed. In between, however, I replaced a burnt out light bulb in the family room ceiling fan light fixture, watered the indoor plants, cleaned out the fridge, took the trash and recycling cans to the curb, put water to the back garden, put away a load of laundry, and tidied one shelf in the linen cupboard, the shelf with the towels.
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| Tidied Shelf with Towels |
I plan to do the shelf with the bed sheets and pillowcases, next.
Later in the evening, cousin P called to find out how I was; I was glad to hear that she was able to get a ride to the funeral with our other cousins, after all, on Saturday. She said she left her house before 11:00 a.m. and didn't get back till after 8:30 p.m., as they attended mass, the burial, and the reception, afterwards!
Still later, in the night, daughter texted me and we spoke on the phone to say goodnight. She said she had a full day of conferences/workshops, but later, she did a bit of sightseeing with her colleague who is attending the conference with her and they went out to dinner.
Yesterday, I was grateful for:
- A good visit with the surgeon
- Having the foresight to bring copies of my scan results reports with me!
- A safe drive to and from the clinic
- A cooler day (only in the 80s!)
- Daughter is enjoying her trip
How was your Monday?
Did the surgeon suggest a biopsy? I think I would ask for one just to put my mind at rest if for no other reason. Could they just do a simple needle biopsy? It would be such a tiny incision. Did he take your port out?
ReplyDeleteNo, he didn't suggest a biopsy and, although I had written it down to ask him, I forgot to do so (I was a bit taken aback by the fact that he didn't have my scan reports). I will definitely ask him about it at the next visit. Thank you for reminding me! I did remember to mention the port, but we decided to leave the port in for now. I want to discuss it with the oncologist, before I have it taken out.
DeleteI sense your frustration with the office staff again, good thing you came prepared with copies of your documentation! It's like you need to ask for a copy of everything and make sure you carry it with you everywhere just in case! In this day and age of digital records, you'd think it would be easier for providers to log in to see all your films, test results, etc. But sadly a lot of providers have completely different systems that don't necessarily integrate with one another. I'm not someone who wants my records online, but in the case of a very serious disease like the one you had, I can definitely see that it would be helpful if only all the systems communicate with one another! Right now it seems that it mostly benefits the insurance providers but not necessarily the patients. Anyhoo, I'm glad the surgeon wasn't concerned about your condition and that you elected to leave it alone. As you said, you don't need another wound that will take months to heal!
ReplyDeleteSo I understand that you were exhausted when you got home. Just the worry of it all coupled with the continued aggravation would definitely wipe me out as well. Still, you did so much! I think I would have probably crumbled on the couch and zoned out in front of the TV. So kudos to you!
Thanks, Nathalie. I did watch TV while I sewed and it was on while I did the other things, too. Some news and analysis and when that became too stressful, some reruns on the History channel about Angkor Wat and Stirling Castle. :)
DeletePleased to hear that the surgeon didn't think you needed further treatment of the cyst at this time. Very wise to come home and relax. Glad cousin P called you and your sweet daughter must have been happy to hear your good news.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the cooler weather and hope your office is not freezing.
Thank you, Sandy. I find that I am still getting tired fairly easily and I am learning not to push myself too much.
DeleteThough you felt physically and emotionally drained, you still managed to get loads of things accomplished.
ReplyDeleteIt does save a lot of time and frustration to have all test results on-line, which fortunately happens here in our province; but, I still bring with me to the doctor's office a written list of questions, an up-to-date list of medications and dosages that I am on, and any recent discharge papers from a hospital visit if any, as those reports don't seem to be posted as quickly as test results. So glad to hear the surgeon's opinion on that cyst.
Thank you, Susan. Supposedly, the reports are all available on-line and I am forever signing authorization to release information forms. The oncologist's office is, so far, the best when it comes to accessing the reports on-line, followed closely by the radiation oncologist's office. The others aren't. Yes, I, too, carry a list of medications and dosages, etc., and various other forms. It's the easiest way to update the records. :)
DeleteI'm glad to hear that the surgeon was not concerned about your cysts. However, I would ask the question about a biopsy.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you as recently I went two different times for drop in allergy shots when the office was closed but the web site said it was open and showed up at another doctor and they said I was late. However, I showed up at the time written on the appointment card. I had to reschedule all three times. It's nothing like the hassles that you've been through, but annoying all the same.
Thanks, Live and Learn. I am a bit angry with myself for forgetting to ask him; maybe I'll call his office and leave a message.
DeleteSorry to hear you got the run around with your appointments, too! Your time is valuable too, and it is not always easy to take time off to attend appointments, etc.
You must be relieved the best course of action seems to be leave well alone for the moment especially as healing would take such a long time.
ReplyDeleteThere is something totally satisfying about a tidy airing cupboard and neatly stacked towels :) xx
I am, Suzanne; gives me a bit of a breathing spell. Yes, a tidy linen closet is a lovely sight! I still need to do the rest of the shelves!
DeleteIt really annoys me that your surgeon's office didn't have all your information ready for him to see. It is a waste of his time and yours to have to go through all the details when they could have been in front of him. That's my snarl for the day!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he isn't concerned about the cyst. He probably has enough experience to judge it.
I can understand how you would be drained after the visit. It is good that you can quietly sew and let your creativity revive you.
Bushlady, I agree. Maybe, next time, I need to call ahead and ask if he has received the reports for his review! I did call his office, today, and spoke with a staff member who looked up his report from Monday's visit, in which had recommended observation for now, and left a message asking about a biopsy. I confirmed that she had my phone numbers to call me back. If I don't hear back in a day or two, I can call back.
DeleteI agree with Marylyn and Live & Learn that a biopsy would provide you with peace of mind and totally eliminate any room for speculative error. Two months is a long time to wait if a biopsy were to reveal it's best for the cyst(s) to be removed. After all you've been through, IMHO, your physicians owe you a definitive diagnosis. Sorry ... I don't mean to be so blunt but you mean a lot to all of us and we want you to have the best care possible. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. I did call the surgeon's office today and left a message asking about a biopsy. Will wait and see what he has to say.
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