I'm worried AND angry!!!

[liljenn]

:furious3: :wall: I despise the the medical "business" (pharmaceutical companies, health insurances, etc). Things like this make me furious! This not my rant, so I will stop with that ...

Marcia, I would definitely speak to them about mailing such alarming postcards to patients (that is putting it nicely). I pray that this will turn out to be nothing of concern. Know that you are in my prayers too.

 

[boutiquegecko]

Any news Marcia?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I am going in for a needle biopsy on Friday, July 11.

 

[moosassah]

Marcia, major hugs of support. My maternal grandmother has kicked bc in the butt 2, maybe 3 times since the 70s. She's now in her 70s or 80s. I could do the math, but she'd slap me upside the head for figuring it out, lol!

I'm glad you did send a message to the doctor. That is completely unacceptable to send that kind of information through the mail. I can understand the "everything's normal, see you in a year" cards. I hate all doctors!

I hope that your follow up Friday declares you well--by a human. Feel free to tell them you expect a phone call, not a post card, either way so that you can ease your mind.

To your health!

 

[fallen_angel]

Best wishes to you Marcia, we hope that all goes well *sending positive thoughts your way*

 

[Kristi23]

I will be thinking of you Friday. (((hugs)))

 

[gothra]

Marcia, everything will be fine! All the best to you! *big hug*

 

[malt_geckos]

OMG! I will be praying for you...and Marcia..you are far to mean to die at this age...you know that saying "only the good die young."? Well...you are exempt from that because you are the MOGL! Give me a call if you need to talk or anything. Matt and I are here for you anytime you need us. You have been there for us through a bunch. Love you girl!

Mallorie

 

[GeckoTeach]

Marsha, tons of warm wishes are heading your way. Please address the postcard with your physician, there is no excuse for a bad bedside manner and I can't believe mailing medical information in the form of a post card meets HIPPA requirements.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Marcia..you are far to mean to die at this age...you know that saying "only the good die young."? Well...you are exempt from that because you are the MOGL!

Oh, I don't plan on dying anytime soon! If I have breast cancer, it won't have me...

 

[David Loftin]

I was going to say something mushy. But.. I think you know by now.

:smitten:

Infinite.. Good Vibes sent your way.. Just.. because.

 

[Mel&Keith]

*Hugs* We'll be sending positive energy that way too!

 

[Greyscale_Geckos]

I am going in for a needle biopsy on Friday, July 11.

Good luck, Marcia!

I know it can be a scary thing to get biopsies done. Hopefully though the biopsy will give you some answers.

Also, I'm shocked that they mailed you a postcard. True my doctors aren't exactly great either, but they have never pulled something like that. It frustrates me that this system has become so impersonal, especially with really concerning things.

 

[LeapinLizards]

Oh wow :veryangry: :veryangry: :veryangry: . That is absolutely ridiculous. I have a first hand knowledge of mammography, as my mom has been a mam-tech ever since I can remember.

I actually spoke to her after I read your post, and she was appalled. She told me that about 4 years ago at her hospital, HIPAA regulations (dealing with privacy and confidentiality) changed so that no more "reminders" or contacting of any sort was to be done on a postcard. Now, they legally have to contact you via phone, or sealed letter (for checkup reminders). We're in Oregon, and she said that everywhere can be different. What she said you could do is request a copy of the HIPAA regulations from the clinic or hospital you had the tests run at. You could possibly even file a complaint.

I just really cannot believe that they would send that kind of information on a postcard! I really hope you get to at least give someone an earful. And I hope all the tests come out clean.

 

[paulnj]

If I have breast cancer, it won't have me...

That the outlook that everyone should have!!!!! Right on girl, and a closer look is just that..... closer look :main_robin:

:sweetheart:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I just really cannot believe that they would send that kind of information on a postcard!

They got away with it because it was a folded postcard, so I couldn't raise cain about HIPPA. Both of my doctors were not very happy about the method of notification, and I raised a big stink with the higher-ups myself.

I'm worried, but not obsessing on it. My mother and maternal grandmother both died of breast cancer that metastasized. My mom was younger than I am when she passed away, and it was horrible to watch her die that way. I refuse to go through that, or put my family through it either.

I had a digital mammogram (much better than the old x-ray type images), and an ultrasound last week. Apparently, they still showed there is something very suspicious in my left breast that they felt needed a biopsy.

I just hope that whatever it is doesn't interfere with my trip to Daytona!!!

 

[PacHerp]

I just hope that whatever it is doesn't interfere with my trip to Daytona!!!

Marica, no worries!!! I know that you are too strong to let anything like this bring you down or take away your joy in life.

Please keep us all updated on your progress.... I'm sure I can speak for everyone here on the forum... we love you and are thinking of you!!!

 

[moosassah]

still thinking of you. Nothing but good news!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Well, I went in for my biopsy on Friday.... but they didn't do it! My doctor had ordered more specific imaging tests in order to find exactly where the 'growth' is, and another very complicated 3-D ultrasound. I got to see all the images and speak with the Radiologist at length.

Apparently, I have had this area show up on my last 3 mammograms, but with the new digital images they took last June, it show there are now two places they are concerned about! They do not believe are they lymph nodes, and they are not cysts. But, they do not believe it is cancer either. If it was cancer, I was told that the areas would light up like a Christmas tree with small calcium deposits, which they do not.

The largest spot is about 8 mm and the newest one is just under 6 mm in size. The larger of the two has developed a 'tail'... it looked like the shape of a paisley to me. They did not want to perform the biopsy until they get the results back from this 3-D ultrasound next week.

The doctors assured me that if they suspected it was cancer, they would be on top of it ASAP. I really don't know what to think right now.

 

[WftRight]

For the time being, I'm going to be thankful that the initial report is that whatever you have isn't cancer. I wish you weren't facing any health issue at all, but if the doctors don't seem to think that anything requires immediate action, that seems to be better news than it could have been. Here's hoping for life and health for you.


Bill