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Follow-up to Follow-up Lung nodules found on CT
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Follow-up to Follow-up Lung nodules found on CT

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Follow-up to Follow-up Lung nodules found on CT

  • Post
    • January 11, 2017 at 2:11 am
    susanspotless
    Participant

      If anyone remembers my original post of Nov. 18 and/or the follow up of 12/8:

      My new Dr. ordered a chest CT because of my hoarseness, shortness of breath and history of melanoma. There is also a history of smoking but Medicare will pay for CTs for a history of melanoma. My Dr. ordered a full body PetScan based on the results of the 1.6 X 1.8 cm. loblulated opacity found on the CT. There wasfocal hypermetaboloic uptake with maximum SUV of 3.9. What concerned me the most  was the background mediastinal blood pool uptake which showed a maximum SUV of 2.3 which is worrisome for cancer.

      The Dr. then ordered a CT Guided Biopsy of my left lung, the Dr. conducting the test noted that "Initial pathologic wet read demonstrated cells worrisome for malignancy.". Here is where the ball was dropped and I waited for 3 whole weeks for the tissue analysis. I was patient because of the Christmas then New Year's holidays then the snowfall the people of this region are unaccustomed to, but last night I just got so furious and decided I couldn't let this go another day. I was worried that somehow a lab accident occured ( it has happened to me before).  I called my Dr's office and told the med tech I wanted an answer before the day was over. Three hours later my Dr. called back, he said it is not melanoma, it is squamous cell carcinoma (non-small cell cancer). I asked why the three week delay in getting the results to me for the normally 4-5 day results. Excuses were made for the delay, an aplogy was made and promises were made to arrange for surgery ASAP.

      I am researching a new internist just in case there are any more ball-dropping incidents. At any rate, I am happy to report that <b>melanoma has saved my life!</b> If it werent for my history of melanoma the Dr. would not have ordered a chest CT when my only symptom was hoarseness which I BTW, attributed to my chronic hives.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 11, 2017 at 5:35 am
        Aloha14
        Participant

          Susan,

          I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the delays you experienced in biopsy results being processed and communicated to you over the holidays. I hope you get treatment asap.

          In my opinion, there's no excuse for delays regarding medical care care and treatment whether it's due to holidays or whatever. In fact in order fr me to get seen by the Melanoma Specialist, get the WLE and SNB, and follow up scans done between Thanksgiving and the end of December, I had to continually place calls to the Cancer Center, contact the Medical Director, Managers in Radiology etc., (dealing with a large University Medical Center) until they fit me in. I wasn't waiting until January when my health insurance ran out. 

          I don't know what type of medical facilities your dealing with but if you aren't contacted with a surgery date by late afternoon tomorrow, I would call or if you live close by show up and insist that you get scheduled. It's good your researching a new internist.

            • January 11, 2017 at 11:08 pm
            susanspotless
            Participant

              Aloha14,

              Hi, I am in a rural area so it is what it is, I'm afraid 🙂 My Dr. said he was on vacation, he didn't specify when and he doesn't know why he didn't have it on his desk when he came back from his vacation. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't gotten to the end of my rope and called.

              My Dr. did call this AM to say he called and faxed  the  Cardio-thoracic surgeon who would be getting me in this week. Minutes later the PA from the Cardio-thoracic surgeon's office called to say my Dr. marked my case as 'urgent' and they only see patients on Wednesdays. So, there goes "getting me in this week". So it goes.

              The big problem with this surgeon is that he hasn't seen the PetScan and thinks it's only one tumor. The smaller tumor increased in size in the two weeks between the CT and Pet, it increased from small to  moderate in size. Now it is almost another month and who knows if it increased in size yet again so I don't  know it is just gonna to be a surgery and done.

              I guess I should I take my problem now to another forum since it isn't melanoma but I will update one more time when the other shoe drops.

               

              • January 11, 2017 at 11:08 pm
              susanspotless
              Participant

                Aloha14,

                Hi, I am in a rural area so it is what it is, I'm afraid 🙂 My Dr. said he was on vacation, he didn't specify when and he doesn't know why he didn't have it on his desk when he came back from his vacation. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't gotten to the end of my rope and called.

                My Dr. did call this AM to say he called and faxed  the  Cardio-thoracic surgeon who would be getting me in this week. Minutes later the PA from the Cardio-thoracic surgeon's office called to say my Dr. marked my case as 'urgent' and they only see patients on Wednesdays. So, there goes "getting me in this week". So it goes.

                The big problem with this surgeon is that he hasn't seen the PetScan and thinks it's only one tumor. The smaller tumor increased in size in the two weeks between the CT and Pet, it increased from small to  moderate in size. Now it is almost another month and who knows if it increased in size yet again so I don't  know it is just gonna to be a surgery and done.

                I guess I should I take my problem now to another forum since it isn't melanoma but I will update one more time when the other shoe drops.

                 

                • January 11, 2017 at 11:08 pm
                susanspotless
                Participant

                  Aloha14,

                  Hi, I am in a rural area so it is what it is, I'm afraid 🙂 My Dr. said he was on vacation, he didn't specify when and he doesn't know why he didn't have it on his desk when he came back from his vacation. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't gotten to the end of my rope and called.

                  My Dr. did call this AM to say he called and faxed  the  Cardio-thoracic surgeon who would be getting me in this week. Minutes later the PA from the Cardio-thoracic surgeon's office called to say my Dr. marked my case as 'urgent' and they only see patients on Wednesdays. So, there goes "getting me in this week". So it goes.

                  The big problem with this surgeon is that he hasn't seen the PetScan and thinks it's only one tumor. The smaller tumor increased in size in the two weeks between the CT and Pet, it increased from small to  moderate in size. Now it is almost another month and who knows if it increased in size yet again so I don't  know it is just gonna to be a surgery and done.

                  I guess I should I take my problem now to another forum since it isn't melanoma but I will update one more time when the other shoe drops.

                   

                  • January 11, 2017 at 11:13 pm
                  susanspotless
                  Participant

                    Ooops! I did forget to say that I am over 30 miles from the Dr's office and the hospital. This past 10 days we have been snowed in and our driveway up to the road has been icy as well as the road to the highway. We were told to stay in, don't travel except in emergencies. The temperature has risen today and hopefully we can get up to the road tomorrow.

                    • January 11, 2017 at 11:13 pm
                    susanspotless
                    Participant

                      Ooops! I did forget to say that I am over 30 miles from the Dr's office and the hospital. This past 10 days we have been snowed in and our driveway up to the road has been icy as well as the road to the highway. We were told to stay in, don't travel except in emergencies. The temperature has risen today and hopefully we can get up to the road tomorrow.

                      • January 11, 2017 at 11:13 pm
                      susanspotless
                      Participant

                        Ooops! I did forget to say that I am over 30 miles from the Dr's office and the hospital. This past 10 days we have been snowed in and our driveway up to the road has been icy as well as the road to the highway. We were told to stay in, don't travel except in emergencies. The temperature has risen today and hopefully we can get up to the road tomorrow.

                      • January 11, 2017 at 5:35 am
                      Aloha14
                      Participant

                        Susan,

                        I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the delays you experienced in biopsy results being processed and communicated to you over the holidays. I hope you get treatment asap.

                        In my opinion, there's no excuse for delays regarding medical care care and treatment whether it's due to holidays or whatever. In fact in order fr me to get seen by the Melanoma Specialist, get the WLE and SNB, and follow up scans done between Thanksgiving and the end of December, I had to continually place calls to the Cancer Center, contact the Medical Director, Managers in Radiology etc., (dealing with a large University Medical Center) until they fit me in. I wasn't waiting until January when my health insurance ran out. 

                        I don't know what type of medical facilities your dealing with but if you aren't contacted with a surgery date by late afternoon tomorrow, I would call or if you live close by show up and insist that you get scheduled. It's good your researching a new internist.

                        • January 11, 2017 at 5:35 am
                        Aloha14
                        Participant

                          Susan,

                          I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the delays you experienced in biopsy results being processed and communicated to you over the holidays. I hope you get treatment asap.

                          In my opinion, there's no excuse for delays regarding medical care care and treatment whether it's due to holidays or whatever. In fact in order fr me to get seen by the Melanoma Specialist, get the WLE and SNB, and follow up scans done between Thanksgiving and the end of December, I had to continually place calls to the Cancer Center, contact the Medical Director, Managers in Radiology etc., (dealing with a large University Medical Center) until they fit me in. I wasn't waiting until January when my health insurance ran out. 

                          I don't know what type of medical facilities your dealing with but if you aren't contacted with a surgery date by late afternoon tomorrow, I would call or if you live close by show up and insist that you get scheduled. It's good your researching a new internist.

                          • January 11, 2017 at 5:53 am
                          _Paul_
                          Participant

                            Holy crap, that is unacceptable. You really need to self advocate in this game. Don't be afraid to be the squeaky wheel when it comes to cancer.

                            But whew!!!, what a relief! I'm very happy for your good news.

                            – Paul

                              • January 11, 2017 at 11:18 pm
                              susanspotless
                              Participant

                                Paul, I know, it's totally unconscionable from a medical professional.Yes! Good news it's not melanoma.
                                :

                                 

                                • January 11, 2017 at 11:18 pm
                                susanspotless
                                Participant

                                  Paul, I know, it's totally unconscionable from a medical professional.Yes! Good news it's not melanoma.
                                  :

                                   

                                  • January 11, 2017 at 11:18 pm
                                  susanspotless
                                  Participant

                                    Paul, I know, it's totally unconscionable from a medical professional.Yes! Good news it's not melanoma.
                                    :

                                     

                                  • January 11, 2017 at 5:53 am
                                  _Paul_
                                  Participant

                                    Holy crap, that is unacceptable. You really need to self advocate in this game. Don't be afraid to be the squeaky wheel when it comes to cancer.

                                    But whew!!!, what a relief! I'm very happy for your good news.

                                    – Paul

                                    • January 11, 2017 at 5:53 am
                                    _Paul_
                                    Participant

                                      Holy crap, that is unacceptable. You really need to self advocate in this game. Don't be afraid to be the squeaky wheel when it comes to cancer.

                                      But whew!!!, what a relief! I'm very happy for your good news.

                                      – Paul

                                  Viewing 5 reply threads
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