Starting to get frustrated
Hi posting out of frustration as I've run out of logic talking to myself lol Quick history breast cancer chest wall surgery/ rads Dad cycle uncompleted due to complication an illness from rads. Anyhow had a bilateral mammo and got called back in to have diagnostic done before I left hospital. The Tech told me that my Dr. Would be in touch with my results by Friday or Monday at the latest (ok I was a bit unsettled with that ) That was Oct 27 . Was keeping cool and in check for 3 weeks and hadn't heard anything back which is unusual as the Doc has been always very good at getting back to me . So I broke down an phoned Was told results weren't back yet to call back in a week that the office would track it down Ok fine no prob .... Call back a week later nurse lets me know they don't have the results but she woke look on computer file whatever to get them an they will have it next day at latest . Ok anyways I gave it another week never heard anything phone this time I'm told the Dr will be at hospital tomorrow (yesterday) and will go to dept to get file Like holy crap I'm starting to get peeved like anyone have any ideas why they r stalling or if the results were lost isn't it easier (ok on me) just to have come back in and do another mammo? Sorry for the vent just needed to express myself to folks who get it. Thank you ladies Roberta
Comments
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How frustrating for sure, and I would be very angry that nobody seems to have any sense of urgency to resolve it almost seven weeks later. What if there was a biopsy recommendation as a result of the diagnostic mammogram?It almost sounds like maybe your results were scanned or keyed to the wrong patient file or something.
I would go to the medical records department at the hospital myself and request a CD copy of my entire medical record, and specifically to include not just the final radiology reports for that date, but the imaging too.I would then request an immediate appointment with my doctor to review the results and to make the doctor aware personally that the staff has totally dropped the ball on this and that I was very displeased. The fact that you are a fairly recent previous breast cancer patient makes this all the more unacceptable. If medical records canโt find them either I would really raise some hell about it and make them schedule an immediate appointment for a re-do of the tests
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Thank you for your response MellisaDallas I live in a small town with small hospital so I initially thought maybe report was sent to larger centre for further reading and with Covid it was going to take more time just trying to justify and reason but enough is enough I will now be more assertive! Thank you I appreciate it Roberta
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Roberta, even if this fiasco had not happened, it is always a really good idea to always obtain and keep copies of your breast radiology reports AND imaging. They would be required any time you went to a different facility for comparison purposes and you sure wouldnโt want to be stuck waiting in the future for your current hospital to send them. Some day you might want to obtain a second opinion too, and if you personally have the records to provide it vastly simplifies and speeds things up.
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Ok will do I guess I better get with the times I'm from the times when Dr kept reports an no patient access. I just heard of patient portal at time of my mammo needless to say was right on top of that one but it doesn't help if there's nothing to access
I'm sure things will come around bright side is it has given me time to think an have plan if cancer is back . Well thanks again hon -
Wow Roberta!!! This is completely unacceptable. I'm in agreement with everything MelissaDallas recommended. I have a number of medical issues and was told to be my own administrative assistant. Many years ago I could not understand why people got and kept copies of their medical issues - pre-portal days. Then I tried making appointments with specialists who kept not receiving notes the other doc's offices said they sent and more than once - other examples of showing up for appointments and docs not having any information on me, etc. I now have three ring binders of all my testing, consultation reports, blood work for the most part. When seeing a new specialist in a different system I fax them highlights and hand carry even more highlights. I don't have to worry about these things these days - I'm in 3 systems and they all have this stuff now.... Really important to begin collecting these important medical results, notes, etc. and hang onto these....
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LivinLife thank you for your input also. I have had 6 Surgeries and ongoing issues with my breast since 1999 then in 2012 diagnosed and had 2 Surgeries to get clean margines ( sorry for run on lol) anyways never ever during that time has this ever happened Drs surgeons MO RO always straight up. My frustration is being told that I will receive a call from Dr on certain days after and they do not phone. If my files were lost fine I can except that I have no probs getting another mammo . It feels good to vent as I have no one I can talk to about it. I still have my reports from last diagnosed it's getting the reports for this one๐ hugs to everyone thank you
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So glad you've already been collecting your notes, etc. Now it's about these current results... I hope you're taking some of MelissaDallas' suggestions to heart (and action).... keep us updated, ok?
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I will on both counts thank you for your input an knowledge Nowto wait through the weekend I guess I will have the cleanest house once more lol.๐
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Thatโs really frustrating...and I can totally relate. I had a mammogram and ultrasound on 6th October and am still waiting for the results! Iโve called the hospital twice and after promising a call back... they never called me back I went to see my wonderful GP who faxed a form, then called the hospital and gave them an earful. That afternoon I received the report and a phone call to book me in for an appointment to discuss the results. My appointment is tomorrow via telephone because of coronavirus restrictions.
I like to think Iโm a calm and sensible person but man, I canโt help thinking what if itโs come back and they donโt want to tell me....
Sorry for ranting, what I actually wanted to say was I understand and I hope that the results are all good.
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It is less common than common for these things to happen though that still means they happen a lot! Keep in mind in non-corona times you can show up to medical records in person. I'm in a small community so have done that many times. They are really used to people doing that and don't even blink. I fill the release out right then and they are good about printing my 1-3 pages right then and there. Since corona I can e-mail them and sign on-line electronically and within 1-2 days it's in my "secure mail" box - not the portal though.... If you or others are in larger areas I realize things may still take a little longer though should not really take that much longer. It's important people realize too you have a legal right to these records so most of the time if you're pursuing these directly medical records won't hold them up long.
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Clean away Crystals!!! You made me chuckle! Great distract!
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thanks LivinLife right now there's restrictions on hospital so can't go to get or inquire about file ( besides I kinda feel like a sh*t if I go an bother them when they are busy with the Covid situation. ) Also don't want to bother Drs office to much cause you never know if im going to be on the receiving end of his knife . So I will hang tight for a bit.
Still_Me40 oh hon you have every right to rant no apologies needed. Not knowing an hanging in limbo is so hard. I don't know about you but my grocery bill has gone up the stress eating ! I can empathize . Sending hugs and positive thoughts for you appointment tomorrow.Hope to hear back from you (if you want) .
Take care ladies hugs Roberta
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Good morning just heard from Drs office this morning they still do not have results back but just found results of mammo were sent to Ontario Breast Screening Program. So need a bit more waiting I guess but least results r found
(that's my positive side lol) my other side is getting more apprehensive. Thank you for vent. Roberta -
I'm in Ontario too. Your wait for results is really long - much too long. I take it your hospital does not have a patient portal?
The fact that your results were sent to the Ontario Breast Screening Program is normal procedure - and it means the results are done. In Ontario, the various screening programs get copies of all results and send out form letters. I've had that with my colonoscopy testing and with my PAP smears - I usually get the letter ("Results were normal; retest in X years") from the Ontario screening agency months after I've received the results from my doctor. So the fact that the results were sent there shouldn't hold up the process or stop you or your doctor from getting the results.
Since you know the results are done, I'd suggest you go to the hospital and ask for a copy of your report. They are required to provide it to you, although some facilities charge for this (which is why patient portals are so great, because reports are available quickly and for free).
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Thank you for all the info Beesie you always have sound info. I just don't understand all this run around I'm getting lol. I'm in a small town with small hospital Dr office does have patient portal now which I've used 3 times to inquire but keep being told until today that results hadn't come back yet. Well I've waited this long few more days.... Roberta
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Ohhh what a relief the waiting is over. Well here we go again Life is definitely an adventure Now onto other boards in
Roberta
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Crystals... I'm not sure you finished your thought in your last post? Do you have results? You mentioned something about onto other boards....and then your post seems to just drop off.
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Lol oh jimminie didn't realize it sorry I'd blame my tab but yeah it's my mistake My mind is going 100 miles an hour lol. Yes actually mass on chest wall again so Dr getting all my apts set up. Was just gonna reset my profile as I lost the one I had the first time so computer savvy NOT lol Thanks for checking in LivinLife greatly appreciated ๐. Roberta
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Whew I was just signing off for the night and thought I would check your thread just in case you responded.... lol and by the way I'm not computer or tech savvy at all either... Wow on mass... I'm glad they are getting things set up for you and you seem comfortable thus far....really important you have providers you are comfortable with and trust. Are you jumping onto the Just diagnosed forum or.....? I am signing off here so will catch your response tomorrow... I'm sure your head is swirling though find some calming things - really important to help keep at least part of one foot on the ground... this will be a difficult next couple of weeks or so for you with appointments, added info., etc.
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Ahhh LivinLife thank you for your kindness it means a lot
And actually I'm ok I'm 63 so I can't complain Well goodnight hon an thank you ๐ -
Crystals, it is good to keep posting here in this thread so your biopsy results, etc can all be with the above info. This โWaiting for Test Reportsโ thread is the appropriate place for it all until you know if/when you have a cancer diagnosis.
Did anyone say where your mammogram radiology report has been for almost two months
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Hi Melissa Dallas it was lost in the shuffle of Ontario Cancer screening an somehow got deleted I'm not sure the whole story cause after listening it all sounded "blah blah blah " honestly I was on to next thought /question These things happen an I'm just glad the Dr came through with report an many apologies. Thank you for listening I will stay here till I find out my grade / stage. I was er-/ pr- last etc sorry run on lol but thank you๐
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Snuck a carmel chocolate santa clause and ate it all at 4am hehehe ๐
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I hope it was a big caramel chocolate Santa. You deserve to do a few nice things for yourself right now. That sounds pretty great with coffee, by the way:)
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Lol sounds like you're a rebel also
and may you have something decadent in your day also hon ๐ -
Toooooo funny and so was the "coffee" added by MelissaDallas! I was thinking hot chocolate which I rarely drink. I'd do the coffee any time 4 a.m. or after lol
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Well LivinLife the party ๐ is on anytime cause I think us ladies are rebels who can live on the edge bahaha. May you girls have as good of wind as possible. ๐ (Cheers)
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Ok not that I want to turn this thread too silly - though humor is sooooo therapeutic and healing.... I think the three of us should consider a gathering, once COVID is in a different place, for a caramel chocolate Santa and coffee/hot chocolate party wee hours - or maybe a "normal" time.... by the way it's 5:38 a.m. here now and the caramel chocolate Santa really sounds appealing..... seriously.... I just had a cup of chai tea (Large cup) and am drinking a cup (Large cup) of vanilla coffee.... would go sooooo well with a caramel chocolate Santa..... oh well...
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Awwww hon sometimes a little silliness is all it takes to get through the day and a gathering sounds real good eh. I've been thinking about a mastectomy which is an open offer from the surgeon as my lumpectomies have left my breast quite disfigured but after 8 years my skin is still not healing from rads( not to get into to much detail there are times I need to wear dressings and my skin is constantly peeling) I'm also allergic to most antibiotics so I have that to consider. I've read about mastectomy here but I get overwhelmed with how many different types there are (yep I'm easily confused if it's not straight to the point lol) I also am leary about the healing which my skin breaking down all the time Surgeon at the time said I should heal fine but I'd never get rid of the pain so..... My thoughts while everyone is asleep lol
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Crystals... it just occurred to me to share with you... I have healing issues as well. I've been a frequent flyer at the local wound clinic for the last two years (hands, fingers and feet). As a result my breast surgeon decided (the Friday before my Monday surgery) to try something new... for her anyways - after she closed the incision she had someone present who was able to place a negative pressure wound vac to my entire incision. I had an aesthetic flat closure so the incision and the negative pressure wound vac went from entirely underneath one armpit all the way to the end underneath the other armpit. It did not have any fluid coming out of it - it was negative pressure - protected the incision from bacteria, kept it clean and created flat, closed incision when they removed it 8 days later. It was a pain to have that tube (again no liquid coming from it) along with the little machine it was attached to (I nicknamed it "Hedgehog" b/c it looked like one) and the 4 surgery drains though it made all the difference. Insurance paid.... My tissues underneath are not healed yet though coming along though the incision itself did really well all this time.
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