Dumbest thing my doctors have said or done

Hear, Hear! 

My favorite line from a health care provider (doc/nurse/technician/etc) is "I didn't think I needed to tell you that since you work in the healthcare field."  WTF?  I've never had cancer before, and I'm supposed to know everything and not need any teaching or support? Just because I work in healthcare?  My standard response to that line now is "I hope you get treated the same way you treated me when you get cancer."  Stops them cold and makes them think, especially the assumption that they will get cancer some day.  One technician asked me how I know she would get cancer someday, I told her that since she works in the healthcare field she should already know all about that.  She got my point.  

Just found this board and the worst thing said to me by a medical professional - ok well several (LOL)

The oncologist started talking to me and when I said, "have you read my report" I have a copy of it right here. She stopped and asked me for my date of birth again. She looked at me, sorry, now let me look at what you have - are you kidding????

When I was in the hospital, the evening nurse told me, she did not think I needed to be in the hospital and I should be released.  WOW - and when I told her I needed some pain medication she told me we do not push pain meds here. I said well if I wasn't in pain I would not be asking....

Olivia 

I did not report her. I was just glad when she was off for the next three days. I was in the hospital for 6 days.  

I guess I should have --

Olivia 

Since I was in the hospital during a blizzard the other nurses were so nice - they would come in my room just to chat and remind me to watch the clock because they wanted me walking and not in pain (smile)  I had my own pajama's and I think they stopped by to see what I was wearing each day, so funny.

I love this forum! My oncologist's nurse practitioner said to me 2 weeks before my mastectomy,

 " Are you excited about the mastectomy, I bet you are looking forward to it!" When I let her have it, she repeated it! I reported her and she is not allowed near me. Unfortunately, she is allowed near others. My personal experience with a female surgeon has been incredibly positive!

cathmg,

Can you change the doctors?  What a bunch of narcissists.

As for the comment about our troops in Iraq, well they come home with severe post traumatic stress disorder.  The suicide rate is for Iraq vets is the highest since records have been kept.  Over 350,000 service men and women have diagnosed PTSD. 

You are dealing traumatic stress and need appropriate help. Look for a support group in your area.  Like so many other things, we need to take our care into our own hands.

Best wishes to you,

notself

In nursing school we stuff so much technical info into their heads that all the common sense gets squeezed out. 

Hi all  Have been enjoying these threads for some time.

So yesterday I go to the hospital for pre-op testing (getting final recon Thurs). Mind you this is same hospital where biopsies and BMX were done as well as office of both BS and PS so ALL my info should be there. I get called in for my chest x-ray. Young  girl tech asks me"so why are you doing this?" (meaning xray) I explain AGAIN (each person appearing to be looking at my file on their computer when they are asking me this) that having breast recon on Thurs. "oh" she chirps "so have you ever had any surgeries here before then"   Yeees I had a BMX in August. "okay" she chirps again.

After she does xray she says in soft voice "did they do -um-something with your nipples when they did the surgery because I'm seeing something here" DUHHHH  "yes" I reply "that must be the metal port you're seeing in the tissue expanders as I currently have no nipples!!" Oh okay that must be it then-have a nice day       LOL!!!   (not a doctor I know but thought it was good)

I have 2 stories.  First not a doc but the head of cancer support department at the hospital.  After diagnosis but before surgery in those weeks where I was having all kinds of tests, waiting for results, scared, etc., I went to the cancer support office because I wanted to belong to a support group or meet other women with bc.  She wouldn't let me.  She sat me down and acted very concerned about my diagnosis then told me about her 'scare' and said that she couldn't give me contact info of other bc women.  I offered my contact info to her so she could give it to them and she said no.  I can't put you in touch with any women until you know what kind of surgery you are going to have and have it done.  I said "what??!! - I have breast cancer and need support."  She said no, couldn't help me because I haven't had my surgery yet.  I couldn't believe it and walked away in a numb daze.

2nd story:  The day after my bi-lat mast w/recon, I still had that button to press for pain meds and was doing okay with it as I needed.  For some reason one time, about a minute after I pressed it my chest inside all of a sudden got a really heavy and full feeling and I was having some breathing issues.  I think it was one too many doses for my system, so the nurses were trying to help and gave me an EKG to be safe.  It wore off after a while but it was scary.  The next day my surgeon's PA came in to check on me clutching his clip board standing at the foot of my bed keeping a strange distance and asked how I was doing.  I said "better" and he said "you know, you just had breast surgery so of course your chest is going to feel different."