The dumbest things people have said to you/about you

Sassa

Groundhog,

So you saw your surgeon when you came out of anesthesia?  Does that mean 6 more months of winter?

badger

I saw him but not his shadow...spring is coming early this year!!! 

NativeMainer

I'm one of those people that drive the medical world nuts.  I actually read EVERY WORD of every form I sign.  I cross out things that I don't like, or things that say I've been informed of x, y, or z if no one has said it out loud to me.  I also will not sign a form when it says the doctor has explained thus and such when I haven't seen the doctor yet.  I will write in things just above my signature when I feel the need--my favorite is "permission is given for billing of insurance only.  I retain my rights for any and all legal redress of any injury I may sustain."  and "This permission applies to treatments and care provided on (date) only."  and "All permissions are revoked on (date 90 days after the day of the procedure). This drives the registration people crazy and puts everyone on notice that I need to be treated with special care and kept fully informed of what's going on.  It also takes a lot of time to read all that stuff and have all the legal mumbo jumbo explained.  I also put the exact time I sign a form.  So far I've had 2 instances where I've had the hospital in the situation of trying to explain how I could sign that a doctor explained everthing before the doctor was in the hospital!  You gotta watch that paperwork, ladies! 

mbtlcsw01

NativeMainer and others.  In regard to signing things.  I was the one who put the very large cancer research center/hospital on notice that because they did not follow protocol by ordering an MRI long before I was dx, I would contact the local newspaper of their failure.  I've never had to pay any co-pays and I believe my chart is flagged when I go in because I am someone who will open my mouth.

In regard to the dumbest things people have said to the above.  when I had my first exam after I found the lump, the nurse practitioner sat me my and said, "did anyone ever order and MRI on you?"  The BS asked the same thing the next day.  That is what got my attention that they missed the mark by not ordering it 2 years prior.  I still would have gotten cancer, but maybe not had to go thru the chemo, etc. 

barbe1958

I don't get it. If you didn't have the lump 2 years earlier why would they have done an MRI?

Sassa

NativeMainer,

Not only do I read the forms, cross things out or add things like you do, I also correct the errors in the forms (i.e., wrong citation of  regulations, statements that are not allowed by law or, conversely, information that is required).  I discuss any problems with the consent form with the doctor and state that corrections need to be made.

Sigh!! Old work habits die hard even after retirement.

mbtlcsw01

Barbe, I was in the LifeTime Screening program because of my high risk for BC.  Mother died of it and grandmother (her mom) had it.  My mammograms came back showing dense breast tissue and with the last mammo in April 08, they did not do the ultrasound which was ordered because they did not see anything.  Research shows if someone is of a high risk group and has dense breast tissue, then an MRI should be done.  After this was all over, I did the BRAC and I am positive BRAC 2.  This cancer center printed this research in my AAA magazine while I was going thru chemo.  They did not follow their own protocols.  I called them on it.  I did not know at the time I should have had an MRI.  This is the point I use to educate others who may have a high risk. To answer your question, I did have the lump many years prior, but the mammo could not pick it up because of having dense breast tissue.

barbe1958

Well doesn't that just suck!

NativeMainer

Sassa, do you come across people asking you to sign forms that don't have a clue what's in them?  Or what should and shouldn't be?  It's frightening sometimes. And I do get comments.  "What's taking you so long?"  is my favorite. 

Sassa

NativeMainer,

Yes and yes, Before retirement, since I was in charge of human subject protection in clinical drug trials under FDA jurisdiction (i.e., informed consent and institutional review boards), I could tell a lot of "war" stories.

I laughed when I was handed the consent form for my silicone implants.  I was working in the Center for Device and Radiological Health, FDA, at the time implants were placed under study restrictions and was one of the last people to edit and sign off for the consent form for silicone implants.  The consent hasn't changed much since then. I did chide the PA obtaining my consent because the blanks that were suppose to be filled in with the local information was blank when I was given the form.  I told her I would have issue her a FD Form 483, List of Observations.

NativeMainer

LOL!

otter

My favorite "read before you sign" moment had nothing to do with BC, but it was good.  Mr. otter and I were meeting to close on a home-building contract and construction loan, IIRC. It was a really simple transaction, so we didn't bother with an attorney. The builder wasn't even there, but his attorney was; as was a mortgage officer representing our bank.

So, after going through the preliminaries, the builder's lawyer started handing me documents to sign.  I was supposed to sign them and hand them on to Mr. otter for his signature.  We'd bought and sold property before, but never built our own home.  So, being unfamiliar with some of the documents, I was scanning them and reading the key parts before signing.

The builder's attorney started looking impatient, which caused me to read a bit more slowly.

Finally, he said, "These are just standard contracts.  You don't have to read them."

I paused, then looked him straight in the eye and asked, "If I were your client, would you advise me to sign a document I had not read?".

He hesitated, then settled back in his chair and replied, "Okay.... there's no hurry.  Take your time."

otter 

prayforacure

My Mom has BC and this past Fri had a mastectomy....the surgeon said just before she was wheeled in..."are you sure you want to do this"? Another comment came from an earlier time from my aunt when my mom was telling my aunt about her treatment plan..my aun't response, "well, you do have an option to do nothing". UGGG

Neece

cp418, a great line I read in a book recently (" Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer" by Dr Marisa Weis - good book BTW) for when people love to tell you those cancer stories that end in tragedy - just what we DON'T need - is to interrupt quickly and say "Oh, I only listen to stories that have a HAPPY ending". Do you think this might work on MIL?

Neece

Oh and my MIL comment to DH on phone when I was halfway thru chemo (and feeling awful) was "well, let's hope it works". Indeedy!

NativeMainer

Neece--I have that book, but haven't read it yet (not sure why).  But I love that line, and that gives me incentive to read the book--thanks!

mom2mms

I was reading through the post, and I wanted to add one:

My DH godmother comes to visit and the first thing she says "I wonder what you did for God to punish you this way" mind you she is suppose to be a christian women.  My answer was "I don't know your God, but my God doesn't punish".  Then I turned around and went upstairs.  I was not going to waste any time with her.

maria

barbe1958

Good answer Maria! You done good! (MY God doesn't punish either....)

NativeMainer

WTG, Maria!  Great response, including turning around and walking away! 

mslrg

My DH and I were at a time share spiel, and it was a very "hard sell". I told the sales woman that we didn't want to commit to the expense of a time share right now because I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and didn't know how much income I would lose due to disability. We need to watch our outgoings until we know how much $$ I wil be able to make in the coming mnths. She said, well "all the more reason to buy with us. You'll be able to take some vacations with your kids so they'll have fond memories of you to look back on after you're gone."

bobcat

I'm astounded at that remark!!  Did you slap her?

Leah_S

Let me guess, Ms. LRG. You didn't buy a timeshare.

Leah

Bigapple09

mslrg

wow, that may be the winner holy cow

bobcat

That sales woman must be married to Tony!!

leaf

  I would not have been able to contain myself. Yes, Bobcat - she must have been married to Tony!

otter

Oh, My. Gosh.

That's such a horrible thing for anyone to say, much less a salesperson who should have been screened for her interpersonal skills.  I can't possibly think of an appropriate comeback.

My dh just read your post over my shoulder.  He's laughing (he gets what we're saying).  He shook his head and said, "Great!".... 

otter 

Anonymous

mslrg, what???!!! i just needed to pick-up my jaw from the floor. this one is the dumbest thing by far.

NativeMainer

I wonder what she would have said if you asked her how it would affect the transaction if you didn't die on schedule? 

Grakenmom

Holy cow mslrg, I think that remark takes the cake. Wow - did you make mention of it to the salesperson's supervisor? 

lol bobcat, I was thinking the same thing - she's married to Tony!  

"Tony and Saleschick, sittin' in a tree, waaaay too much stu-pid-i-ty!!"

susu1976

Wow mslrg!  No doubt about it, you win hands down!  Holy crap.