Recurrence - I wish I learned

About 3 & half years ago, I had a mastectomy (no limp nodes involved)  and an adjunctive chemotherapy due to HER2+ breast cancer. Then, I discovered that my cancer returned and spread to lungs, liver, & many parts of bones (final & life-threatening stage) by a group of different doctors in a different hospital less than a month of my oncologist determined “I’m free of cancer.”

To explain further, I have had regular follow-up check-ups with my oncologist after the first cycle of chemotherapy. During the first 2 years, I’ve had blood tests and check-ups with my oncologist every 3 months. Then, during the 2 year through 3 and half years, every six-month I met my oncologist who checked my surgery area (left), right breast ,& underarms, etc, but ordered no blood test nor prescribed any medications for preventative measures (I’m ER/PR - ).
    The last visit I had with him was on May 29, 2007. At that time, I lost about 5 pounds, compared to the previous visit. For about 2 months prior to this visit, I have seen several times my primary physician at the same hospital due to various health problems such as swollen knees, rib & back pain, tingling sensations on my feet, etc. However, my oncologist performed no other tests beyond his routine check-ups and led me to believe “I’m free of cancer.”
    My nightmare started when I traveled to my husband’s hometown, Wisconsin, in early June. I fell sick with cough & a shortness of breath. I took cold medicines for about 2 weeks, assuming “it’s just cold.” Since my health insurance company & hospital (by the way – it’s both Kaiser hospital & insurance company) is based in Hawaii, I was reluctant to visit a doctor in Wisconsin until my symptoms (cough & shortness of breath) had gotten worse to the point we (my hubby & I) worried that I might have a bronchitis or pneumonia. Never suspicious of cancer. The first doctor I saw prescribed me with antibiotic – My cough gotten worse even though I took antibiotics for 5 days – I worried & called the doctor and mentioned that I had a history of breast cancer. The doctor asked me to come back right away and ordered blood tests and chest x-ray.
    The results: Cancer spread to lung, liver, & bones – referred me to an oncologist in Wisconsin. According to this oncologist, I was in a life- threatening situation. I was hospitalized for 8 days for a series of tests, chemotherapy, and treatments for pneumonia. I was/am outraged about the misdiagnosis given by the Kaiser doctor. With all my regular follow-up check-ups (including May visit), how can I be found with the terminal stage of breast cancer within less than a month? I wouldn’t have traveled if my cancer had been discovered in Hawaii and I didn’t have to use hospitals outside of Kaiser. In addition to my sufferings in a life-threatening situation, I ended up with a huge financial burden, a total co-payment balance of over $10,000, even after the Kaiser insurance covered 80% of my hospital bills.

    When I came back to Hawaii, I requested a review of the oncologist/misdiagnosis whether he neglected his duties and any procedures because I wanted to make sure that no other patients should go through what I’ve experienced. I also requested the Kaiser should pay the co-payment balance.  It took almost 5-months to get answers --The internal review (done by one oncologist in the same department) outcomes: the care I received was judicious and proper, therefore they cannot justify paying the co-payment. I’m very unhappy about the outcomes. Should I sue, so I can have external review of my healthcare? If I’m not likely to win, I’d rather focus my energy & money on my healing. Please share if you have similar experiences and any suggestions.

***** I forgot to mention. I thought if the breast cancer comes back, it would come back to my right breast first, not other organs in my body--I checked for lumps regularly, but never learned that it could come directly to lungs & shortness of breast would be a symtom of recurrance.  I wish I were educated better! Hope you ladies never experience such bad luck. Take care!