idiot nurse lied to me!

newgirl77 · December 2007

newgirl77 · December 2007

So, I've been waiting 3 weeks for my mammogram at the free clinic. It was supposed to be today. The people couldn't make it (not the clinic's fault) and they told me the next available mammogram wasn't until FEBRUARY! They said they thought it could wait until then because they think it's a cyst due to my age. I told them that age has nothing to do with it and that I want a mammo ASAP. So, I got a referral to the hospital, turns out I should have gone there in the first place. They have me set up for a mammo and ultrasound next Tuesday, thank God. They said that their financial aid will cover me, so it's free too.

It's been 2 months since I found this thing, that's what scares me so much. The first time I went in, they sent me home and told me to wait a menstrual cycle. Then the second time I was told I had to wait 3 weeks. Now after getting it set up at the hospital, I found out that I was never scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram at the clinic, like they told me. Only a screening mammogram. They told me it was a diagnostic one. Then, they gave me a referral for a screening mammo only, even though I and the doctor could feel the hard lump under my arm. Fortunately, the lady at the hospital said "That's not right, if you can feel the lump, then you need a diagnostic one plus an ultrasound" and she set it all up for me. They keep saying "you're too young", well that's bull****, pardon my language! There are women right here on these boards who are 23 and DO have breast cancer. Don't get me wrong, I hope like crazy that I don't and am terrified of finding out test results next week. But, just because it isn't AS likely as it would be in an older women, I feel like they blew me off. I think it was all miscommunication, and they are still really nice people, but I'm afraid the cancer might have spread during this 2 month ordeal to get a mammogram. Should I be feeling mad about this, or am I over-reacting? Can the cancer spread that fast? ( I know anythings possible, I'm just trying to figure out what is the most common). I'm pretty ticked off right now. This is the second time the clinic changed the day on me. My coworkers are probably ready to strangle me because I keep having to change the day I asked them to cover for me. Thanks for listening to me vent!

ADK · December 2007

Hi Newgirl77,

The good news is that the majority of cancers (if it is) have been developing for years before they can be detected, so, waiting two months shouldn't make a difference. I am wishing for benign results for you (80% of them are benign).

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

cp418 · December 2007

I hope you have good news when you get your diagnostic mammogram and us. I just want to mention that fibroadenoma (benign tumors) are common in young women as I had one removed at age 19. Do not panic. Best wishes Joann

newgirl77 · December 2007

Thank you! I really hope it is a fibroadenoma! It's good to know that there are common benign things in girls my age! I think my chances of it being cancer are slim, but you know how it is, I'll probably worry till they stick a needle in it and tell me what it is! I just feel like the clinic blew me off, sort of. There was just a lot of miscommunication, all accidental, but it still makes it harder. At least now I will know to be a little more assertive with my doctors. I told them there was no way I was waiting 2 months like they wanted me to, and it worked. I had my referral in 5 minutes. I'm a quiet shy sort of person, so it's hard for me to speak up for myself sometimes. But, hopefully this w hole experience will change t hat.

althea · December 2007

Learning how to speak up for ourselves is certainly a benefit that comes from a disease every woman dreads. I encourage you to be assertive about your need for a mammogram asap. And there are certainly times in every person's life when a public hissy fit will get you what you need. Those need to be used sparingly, however, to be effective at a time when you might need it most.

It's a tough call to know how soon you really need that mammo. In my case, I truly believe I should've been diagnosed 9 months earlier than I was. I wonder to this day if the surgeon I went to knows of only one kind of breast cancer, and I had one of the oddball varieties. Even with all that delay, I was stage 2 and nothing in my lymph nodes. Yet, there's some tumors that are aggressive. I think your instincts can help guide you here. And I know the fear of something horrible can sometimes sound just like an instinct, but hopefully you can quiet your mind and get some divine guidance. I truly hope it's nothing serious.

iodine · December 2007

Good for you for standing up for yourself! In these new and changing days of "medical care by committee", we must educate ourselves about our medical needs and be proactive to obtain them.

That nurse did what I've seen (read) many docs do to young women who have breast concerns. It really tans my hyde!

WorriedWife · December 2007

Hi newgirl -- I'm so glad you stuck up for yourself! My husband is currently going through the process after finding a lump. I usually take care of setting up the appointments, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's setup all the appointments yourself! After seeing our PCP, my husband was told he needed an ultrasound of the area. They scheduled it at a hospital too far away from us, so I called to ask if I could schedule it at a different hospital. They said sure, and when I called to cancel the other appointment, they said they had no record of it, because you can't just have an ultrasound, you need to also have a mammogram. Argh! So, I got that scheduled after much rigamarole because they need to have another referral for the mammo. After his results came back category 4, about a week before Thanksgiving, they called and told me they scheduled a consult appointment with a surgeon in a month's time. I asked how many surgeons they checked with and they just checked with one! So I asked if they could recommend some others that I could call to get a better time. They did, and I got an appointment for a mere week and a half later!

I also get the feeling that he's kinda being brushed off, because he's relatively young and a male. But luckily it's only our PCP who did this, our surgeon is taking it seriously.

So, big lesson learned, always ask them if you can make the appointments yourself. The results are usually much, MUCH better.

newgirl77 · December 2007

Well, I found out that the nurse was dishonest with me about something else too. We have these people in our area who have mammo equipment in a truck and travel around to different locations. Originally, she told me that the only time the truck would be in the area was last week. Today, I found out that the truck has been in the area every week for the last month! I could have had my mammo any time!!! I called the nonprofit with the truck and guess what?! You don't even need a referral, like the nurse told me!!! They said it's a good idea because of the number of women wanting them, but not necessary. The nurse (when she flat out refused to give me a hospital referral the first time) told me that they wouldn't accept me without her referral! Also she told me that they wouldn't be in the area until January. They are in the area for the next 2 weeks. I think that's lie number 6 or 7 from this nurse!

I'm having my mammo and ultrasound tomorrow at the hospital. I called a friend of mine who is a nurse and she was able to talk to the doctor and get me a referral. So, that's being taken care of, only because I didn't listen to the free clinic.

I called them today and asked to speak to the nurse who lied to me. I was very polite to her and mentioned that she had been mistaken about the mammograms and that I just wanted to let her know for the future. I didn't act rude at all. She told me that she "knew" my lump wasn't cancer because she had one that felt like it. She told me that I was "wasting the hospital's time and money" by applying for financial aid for the tests. (My nurse friend helped me apply for it, I don't have insurance) I am so angry I don't know what to think! She told me that if I "wanted to overreact about it that much then I should just not come back to the clinic" She told me they have "real" sick people to help. I have a breast lump and I think that puts me ahead of people with a little cold or a bad tooth! Can she ban me from the clinic? If I get really sick or something, I might need to go there! I've been in there one time in my life. I was very nice and have never said a mean thing to her or anyone else, in spite of the way I was treated. She also told me that if I had cancer, I"had asked for it" by not getting regular doctor's exams. I thought that was unnecessary and rude. I skipped and didn't get my annual last year. Bad, I know, I just have never had any problems before and thought I would be ok. I 'm getting my annual this Friday. I always do my self exams every month. I just thought it was rude for her to say I "had asked for" cancer. Is there anyone I can complain to about a free clinic? I asked to talk to the manager/supervisor there and can't get a hold of her. I've been trying for 2 weeks.

iodine · December 2007

OMG< I'm practically speachless! Rude? You are too kind.

May I suggest: don't talk to anyone else on the phone. Write it all down in a letter, you write very well, by the way. Very organized.

Next, look up on your computer and find out who runs this dump, and send the letter to them, also note on the letter that copies will be sent to the board of directors, President of the hospital, and find out who runs the mobile mammo truck and send them a copy of it, too.

Make sure that all those names are on the letters you send to each place.

Is this a public health dept? or a local free clinic? If it's the health dept, copy your local state rep. and congressman.

I know this sounds like a lot to do, but you only have to write it once and copy everyone else.

I am heartsick that this has happened to you, it's abuse in the worst way and there is absolutely no excuse for it and I hope you'll help see that no other woman is exposed to this bitch.

So glad you're getting the test you need, NO ONE can diagnose by palpation---No ONE.

Hugs,

althea · December 2007

Write a letter to the nurse's boss. That kind of behavior is uncalled for. Sheesh. That nurse's true talents are being wasted. Sounds like she'd make a good prison guard. Or an IRS agent.

iodine · December 2007

I'll get flamed for this: or an insurance adjuster! The kind that deny us.

badboob67 · December 2007

HOLY COW!!! What a horrid person that "nurse" is! I am so glad your friend was able to help you cut through the red tape and get you the testing you NEED.

Please take the time to find out who the nurse's supervisor is. You should write a letter and be sure to include the comments the nurse made about you "wasting the hospital's time" and the other "sick people". I am just floored by how you have been treated! This free clinic receives public funds, so I would also send copies of the letter to governement officials and maybe even a few media outlets. This woman not only should not have that job, but probably shouldn't even be out running loose in public. She surely has a whole box of screws loose. She also has a physician supervisor that needs to know what she is doing. Even if it is within her duties to "triage" patients, she is obviously not capable of doing it correctly.

I am so sorry you have been treated this way! Please let us know how your tests come out.

(((HUGS)))
Diane

Bren-2007 · December 2007

Newgirl,

Glad you will get your mammogram, finally.

Yes, there is something you can do about this nurse. There is a board of directors who oversees the free clinic. They are funded by either a govt grant or a foundation. I would use your post to us to write your letter, as it it clearly written. Write to the board of directors, as they are most likely the nurses supervisor. You can find out who funds the clinic by doing a little research on the internet, or call the clinic and ask who funds them.

Let us know how things go with your mammo.

Hugs,

Bren

WorriedWife · December 2007

That's horrible!! I'd definitely do what the other posters have suggested. Even if you never have to deal with her again, you'll probably be helping some other poor soul who may be the target of her meanness!

And I highly doubt you can be banned from a clinic. That whole ordeal makes me sick to my stomach, and when you're already dealing with such a worry. Shame on her.

idiot nurse lied to me!

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