Confused. Nervous.

Anonymous

Confused. Nervous.

Anonymous

A CT scan at the end of Feb showed something in my port (right side) that was very low suspicion for a clot. None of my doctors seemed concerned but I didn't go through multiple surgeries and chemos to be taken out by a stupid blood clot so I insisted on an ultrasound. Had it Thursday, the scan was uploaded by the weekend, everything normal, yay.

Today I got a call from scheduling about another ultrasound and biopsy for a potential right side (this is contralatral to my original tumor) chest wall recurrence, ordered by my MO. WHAT. First time I had heard about that. My MO hadn't called me and there was no mention of incidental findings (which is what I assume this is) on the report from last week.

I made the appointment and immediately emailed my MO asking WTF. Haven't heard back yet.

I have brain mets but before this everything indicated I was NED below da head. Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Kandy

Hmmm. So sorry about this. And very confusing. So the ultrasound report, I assume you read it, didn't mention anything else. That is strange. And I can't believe no one called you to let you know what was going on before scheduling called. Did you see the CT report, did it mention anything else? Wish I had some advice but I think you are going to have to wait on your oncologist to clarify what is going on. I hate that you have to go through the worries. Wishing you nothing but the best. Keep us updated.

Anonymous

The ultrasound was report did not mention incidental findings. The report has not been modified since it was originally uploaded Sat morning. There's been once or twice I've bugged my docs for moredetail and they've asked the radiologist to modify the report. When that happened it's clearly recorded on my patient portal. I assume that would also be true for findings after the initial read.

The CT scan report from Feb mentioned a few very slightly enlarged lymph nodes, but from what I can tell, not in the area that would've been covered by the ultrasound. (The tech took imaged of my neck, upper chest wall and upper arm). I went over that report in great detail with my clinical trial doc at the time and briefly with my MO last Weds. No one was really concerned.

My imaging of the area has always been normal and I gave no lumps I can feel aside from my port. I'm hoping this might be a mix-up. It's just too bizarre..

Kandy

That is what I am hoping that it is a mix up. I will keep fingers and toes crossed hoping that is the case. Keep us updated. Best wishes to you.

Anonymous

MO emailed me back some explanation about repeat orders which he had supposedly cancelled but they called me anyway. Still doesn't explain the biopsy part, nor the weird call I just got trying to double-schedule me for scans. But I feel a lot better

Anonymous

Apparently all the orders I got calls about today were for someone else. Get your sh*t together, cancer center!!

Tina2

BadAt,

That's absolutely inexcusable!!! I would be furious. In fact, I AM furious.

Tina

50sgirl

Bad At Usernames, I am happy to hear that this was all a mixup, but I am also appalled. Something like that should never happen. It makes me wonder where the safeguards are, and what else is happening? I am sorry you had to experience all that stress and worry.

Lynne

Anonymous

I'm more upset for whoever they got me mixed up with. I hope her appointments got scheduled without drama...seems like she has enough already.

But yeah, this is the second big mistake they've made with me. A year ago, I was getting a Kadcyla infusion and Zoldex injection the same day. The nurse checked off "Zometa" instead (got her Zs mixed up) and I ended up getting an accidental Zometa infusion. I was furious about that and I did lodge a complaint with a patient rep.

Kandy

Furious that you were put through needless worries, but thankful it wasn't for you.

RonnieKay

The call was bad enough...to have the weight of the world taken off with "everything normal," just to have it heaped back on (for no reason!)...terrible. But getting the zometa by mistake...holy smokes!!!! What was the response from your center/onc when you (and hopefully the infusion supervisor) reported it? I'm hoping they put some new double/triple checks together. I always have two nurses cross/checking my meds. Zometa isn't a fun drug to get "by mistake" either. So very happy that the "normal" ultrasound is correct & hope the right patient ends up with "normal" tests as well :-)

DivineMrsM

As I read your initial post, I wondered if perhaps it was a mixup because,it just sounded that way. It's good and bad that it's a mixup, the bad part being you're gong to question everything there now, especially after a second big mistake like this. You might want to discuss this further with administration there. So glad you're okay, tho

pajim

Another warning to us all that no matter how "good" the cancer center we all have to keep an eye out on what they are doing. I often ask my onc for the plan so that I can execute it. Every six months I send chocolate to his scheduling assistant to ensure I can carry it out. :-)

Bad_at_Usernames, I'm glad it's just a mistake. . .