Nurse mocked me - I KID YOU NOT

I’m glad you reported the nurse. One of my nurse employees said in front of other staff the old hated remark: at least you will get new perky boobs! Wish I could have fired her for that...

One of the dumbest things I've heard from a technician was: you're lucky that you have cancer because now cancer isn't a big deal. It's just like having a bad cold. I calmly pointed out to her that cancer wasn't anything like a damn cold. I provided objective data to this technician. She continued to minimize cancer and the effects of chemo. I reported this technician to her supervisor and followed up with a letter of complaint to the cancer center. Generally, I find that staff is usually very well trained, compassionate and professional. A few Chemo patients have told me there are times they don't have the energy to report these individuals because they are conserving their energy to deal with the Big D, constipation, nausea, vomiting, severe fatigue, port issues, Etc. I suggested to them if they're not able to report it at that time have a family member or friend report it or follow up at a later date.

Hi Gloria-Jeremiah,

I, too, am with Northside ONCO and got very confused by chart notes that were left on my new foob Rx. The notes were a worst-case scenerio based on my bloodwork. The nurse practitioner told me, at my appointment, that everything looked good, but when I saw chart notes and a copy of my blood work, I was at the cliff's edge again. My CA numbers are always low-normal, thought s few digits in the blood work are out of range. My regular doc says these numbers are 1. not critical, and 2. the the result of having a shingles virus in my body, which was in my record. Left with the deer-in-the-headlights feeling and not quite sure what was going on. It took me a month to get back to normal and totally spoiled Christmas.

The next day, Northside sent me a survey and I told them exactly what I thought, with both barrels. Told them that under no circumstances should they say or write anything that can frighten us in any way when you give us a printed Rx or return appointment, etc, if you don't have proof to back it up. Keep your speculations to yourself!

My onco is great as is her usual nurse, just not this NP. No wonder I have PTSD from the C doctors' offices. In the survey I made it clear that until any of the staff have been thru the hell we have experienced, don't say/do/write anything that will be the least bit upsetting unless you need to tell us something backed by fact. Have some empathy/compassion!!! What we have been thru is no laughing matter, nothing to be taken lightly, ever.

Glad we are speaking up about this kind of insensitivity to folks that should know better. Seems like there should be some kind of sensitivity training, similar like to sexual harassment in the work place.

Hogwarts

how insensitive, unprofessional and unethical this nurse is. I'm glad you reported her. Imagine how many other patients have had to deal with her

I personally have found plastic surgeons that are beyond rude. One lady I talked to only a week after diagnosis threw/tossed the expander at me. I never had a foreign body inside me before. She asked me my goals. I think I said being able to wear a bathing suit and look good. She said back to me my expectations were too high. Look good in a bathing suit. She was awful, I decided I wanted a DIEP if I qualified. Well I had to go to our university hospital for that. I talked to the main surgeon that does it. He was very blunt, but when he saw me he said oh yeah I can do it. And if I didn't choose him and the DIEP he guaranteed I would be unhappy. Yikes, I went with him he did a fantastic job. But boy his ego was the biggest I have ever seen and no filter on his mouth.

After I finished my first go around of chemo my MO told me I couldn't wait too long for surgery and should do it as soon as I could. I saw my surgeon, I was checking out his office and trying to make an appointment for my lumpectomy. I told the woman who was helping me that I needed to have the surgery as soon as possible. She laughed at me, then looked at her coworker and they laughed together. She said "oh yeah, I'll get right on that."

I'm sure they are very busy and everyone demands my surgeon's time but she was being a huge bitch. It was at a time when I was consumed with fear and just wasn't myself. I just didn't have it in me to tell her what I thought of her. But I was shocked and hurt. Surprise...she doesn't work there anymore.

OMG how insensitive. Glad she got canned. Co-worker should go too.

Diane

OMG! And the other PS interviewed says a PS isn’t required to make a smooth and flat chest with nice outcome...only a general surgeon. Obviously he hasn’t seen the hack jobs with lumps and bumps and folds and awful blue/gray scars that don’t fade that many general surgeons leave in their wake. And the GS tells you if you wanted it to look nice you should’ve gotten a PS to do it or opted for recon as that’s the best he can do. Unbelievable!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, no matter what surgical option you choose, DO NOT go with a surgeon who does not show you before and after photos of his own work with results that you would be happy to have for yourself, not just happy considering you’ve had BC. No pics? It’s a no-go right out of the gate. Doesn’t matter if the docs are part of a large teaching institution that’s well respected or a small private practice. Not convinced?

https://www.propublica.org/article/surgery-risks-patient-safety-surgeon-matters

I would be upset to have to wait a year to have it fixed. Definitely glad she has alerted other woman to this plastic surgeon.

There are alot of horror stories out there.

Excellent point.