How dare they......how dare they ????

It's my life, my health, my body, my money who paid for the biopsy of that tumor. How DARE they tell me I have to WAIT for the doctor to tell me whether it's benign or malignant. How DARE they make me go through 5 days until the appointment they gave me. How DARE they make me wait now for 48 hours for the "urgent" appointment I asked for. How DARE they not tell me if I can live, if I can go to bed and sleep, if I can hope and laugh......how DARE they not relieve me of this................................nightmare. Who can be that cold?

There is something really wrong with the medical profession.

Dear Ravi,

I wish you the best of health and the best of luck with it. I'm sorry for your worry; I know that we sometimes don't get back to you as quickly as it seems we could. Are you in Canada? That's a wait HMO in the states? We're totally backlogged there, even on PPO's. Test results really can take a while, the shitstem feeds the the pics/biop to 1st years paying back their loans. All business.

I don't think the people involved want to make you worry about your results, it's just a fact that the organization pays X amount per year for employees with X being the minimum that people will accept on a whole, basic capitalism.

Again, I wish you the very best of luck and health. Please let us know the results, so we can either stop specifically worrying or start very specifically trying to cheer you up? I hope I didn't sound too cold or callous, you have my sympathy no matter what the outcome; worrying about one's health is the 4th worst thing you can worry about. Good luck!

Taco

I work in one of the least critical and non-medical parts of the medical profession, and though your grief and anxiety are completely understandable, you also must understand how things work at the doctor's office. You are not their only patient, nor even their most critical patient. You are one of a handful of people who, taken individually, are each enduring an incredible amount of anxiety over a potentially life-changing diagnosis. Taken as a whole, you are a pathology slide among at least a thousand, each of which needs to be read just as much as your own biopsy. The process is not instantaneous, as a human being generally has to handle the sample personally. Nor is it a process which should be rushed. Would you rather the pathologists hurry the samples and incorrectly assess them? Would it be worth it to know tonight that you have cancer, if there's really a 50% possibility that the disgnosis is untrue? Would your urgent appointment be worth it if it means that they have to displace someone who is dying?

I'm sorry that you're suffering so much. If it were me, I can only imagine I'd be just as anxious and scared. However bad I imagine it might be, it must be ten-thousand times worse for you in reality. I just hope you'll understand that they aren't delaying the results because they're sadistic, but because you are but one patient amongst many others, each of whom deserves an equal quality of care. Sorry to be so pragmatic about things. Just hoping that some of that anger you're feeling towards the healthcare field might fade away. They're not your enemies. They're just overburdened defenders.

Good luck with the pathology. I hope it is not serious.

And the other 500 people who had biopsies sent to pathology that very same day feel exactly the same way.

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I've worked in the medical field for the past 24 years and we always deal with the same issue. The answer is always the same ... some things take time and there are many many patients.

Pathology takes time I'm afraid. It's not as simple as just taking a peek at a bit of tissue. Technicians have to prepare the sample, and depending on what it is they're looking for, several different methods are used. First slides must be prepared. Some samples need to be frozen, others dyed appropriately. Some have to be specially prepared for chemical analysis, others brushed for a petri sample that takes days to grow.

After preparation a pathologist needs to takes these samples, slides for instance, place each on under a microscope and one-by-one diagnose what they see based on accepted criteria.

The report needs to be dictated, logged and then sent back to your physician.

And each and every one of those people working on this knows damn well that someones very life is in the balance. You'll just have to trust me on that one. Each and every medical worker knows that someones life is in their hands when they walk through that door. Each and every person who is dealing with your problem knows exactly how you feel too. They know because they've seen it hundreds, maybe thousands of times. They've also been in the same situation at least once. Maybe not their own life, but their parents life, or their children s, or spouses. They, each and every one, knows what you feel and they are sympathetic and what the best for you. They are working for your health and they goddamn well know that pain of waiting for the answer you're waiting for.

Now I'm sorry that you have this happening to you, I am, but how DARE you think that everything has to come to a halt just to cater to your needs. How DARE you think that the people whose career is helping keep people alive are unfeeling about your problem just because you have to wait a couple days for the path report. Who the hell are you that all the other people who have medical problems should be shoved to the back of the burner and ignored because you want your answer NOW NOW NOW?

Do you have ANY idea of the intensity of working in the medical field? Do you know what it's like to have -dozens- of deadlines per day, knowing each must MUST be met because a life might be saved or lost because of something you do? Know what it's like knowing that a mistake or careless action on your part could kill someone? And not just every once in awhile, but DAILY?

When was the last time you were in the OR working 10 hour days, day after day trying to keep people alive? When was the last time you had to mop up a floor literally covered in someones blood? When was the last time you had to take apart a flouroscopy machine to clean the blood out of the gears knowing you had 15 minutes to get it CLEAN and sterile and put back together before the next case? When was the last time you had 200 reports that had to be crossreferenced logged and proofread for errors before you can take a coffee break? When was the last time you had to clean, resterilize and repack 300 surgical instruments beacause you need to reuse them that afternoon?

And when was the last time you ran, and I mean RAN a specimen from the OR over to pathology?

No sir, no sir, you do not get to blast these people for doing their job, because that's just what they're doing, their job, to keep you healthy and alive. And they CARE about that job. They CARE about your feelings. They care and are working hard for your answers. I know, because everything I've mentioned are some of the things I've been doing and these are the people I've been working with, for over 20 years.

Wow, I wish I could "unpost".

Wow, I wish I could unpost. I don't know what to say

*HUGS* Ravi

While I understand what the other posters are saying, I can also understand you being scared. And I did feel like you could use a hug!

Hang in there, and hopefully when you get your answers everything will be ok!! I'll keep you in my thoughts!!

Whens the last time someone spoke to you about bedside manner?

You of all people should know when someone is in this situation its all they can think of...it's human nature.

Yes, people in the medical profession work hard and have a lot on their plate ...but it is also a profession they chose and are paid well for.

We're reminded daily of of the importance of the medical profession and the workloads they have and the good they do....whens the last time you heard about a contractors workday....a waitresses.....an electricians...whens the last time you spent 48 hours straight on the job to make jure an electrical grid containing 2 hospitals was brought off line and reupped within 10 minutes making sure that every piece of medical equipment was functioning properly? Whens the last time you pulled someone from a burning building? Whens the last time you took a bullet to save anothers life.

Whens the last time you belittled someone for being scared about medical results just so you can tell us all how great and demanding your job is....People in the medical profession do great work unfortunately they sometimes forget their patients are human

Bravo. What he said.
hugs Ravi I hope all turns out well, sending you good vibes.

The problem isn't really with the profession, but the industry.

1. High amounts of people who can't pay (poor, illegals) are not refused, so more burden is placed on the hospitals and doctors for the same monetary resources. (I don't think this is wrong, but the problem of poverty and illegal immegration are legit ones.)
2. Lawsuits and sweetheart deals for drug companies in the USA have made medicine and doctors very expensive. Consequently many people flock to HMOs which offer less-than-ideal coverage and beaurocracy.
3. Frivolous malpractice suits have doctors up against the wall, paying ridiculous insurance costs and in some states (like New Jersey) actually forcing them to move out of state for a more profitable living.

It really blows. My girlfriend's been waiting a year to get a shoulder looked at because she's not been in jobs that even offer medical insurance.

I wish you the best...

Thank you Talen, I was so appalled by the initial responses. I completely understand that the medical system is or can be over burdened.. But this is an individual who is scared out of their mind that that the worst possible is just round the corner, and every second she/he has to wait is anxiety magnified by 10. I know, I'm a cancer survivor and I still remember waiting for the diagnosis.

Yes this person was "blasting" the system, but it was really a cry for support, to know that we're here to hug and support, pray whatever.... Ravi was needing comfort more than a lesson on the medical system and how we've been reduced to a thousand slides being processed by tired, over worked, possibly-too-new-to-the-profession-but-still-have-that-education-debt-to-pay pathologist/doctor/nurse/administrator.

Ravi, don't even think about taking back your post - you were venting your fear, and please know that I'm hear to hold that for you and to think about you and send you all the positive thoughts and energy I possibly can!

I agree with Talen. It seems like the main thing that's wrong with this situation is the lack or shortage of compassion, caring and understanding. Does it get any scarier than potentially enduring a long, painful, life - threatening disease? I really can't think of anything. Can you?

Best wishes to you, Ravi. *hugs*

Really glad you posted. I know how disheartening this can be. Hubby & I both have had biopsies done on tumors, Both results of little consequince but the wait can be hell. My 2 cents...... you can live, dream, love, and yes, laugh, and sleep(eventually). Regardless of the outcome you'll continue doing all of those things. The trick is making them the best moments of your life.

I worked in CT Scan in a hospital locally. My greatest frustration was seeing the results and not having the authority to give patients the answers they needed, especially when it was a Dr. that was reading the scan as it was done.

My advice....... LIVE ! NOW! inspite of or in the face of whatever the results.

ya know the saying.... " a friend is someone who'll sit beside you in jail and say" damn, THAT was fun!" Well, whatever the final destination is I won't go quietly, but kicking & screaming. When I get there, i'll have a party saying, "DAMN that was fun!" We all face mortality, some just know the name of that which threatens it.


Let us know..... prayers & thoughts are with you.
I sincerely hope this doesn't sound morbid. Just the opposite. It's really really meant to encourage you thru this.. too see you smiling & happy. If it doesn't then please forgive me.
* HUG*

We need to apply a little common sense on who "they" are in "How dare they?". Ravi's outrage is dealt at those responsible. If you know you're not responsible, *don't take offense*. It's like being against the decision to go to war in Iraq, but fully supporting the troops that have to go do it.

Ravi is right, there *is* something wrong with the medical profession. But it's not the overworked and understaffed medical workforce. It's the same thing that's wrong with most things in this country: rather than caring about quality of the service or the product, we care about how much profit we can make from it.

How dare you have the audacity to say this to someone who is terrified they might have cancer. Blasting someone facing cancer for posting out of fear and frustration is pretty low. When exactly was the last time you were faced with this, and could not get the answers that you need? Her frustration is understandable - anyone in that situation would feel it and need some way to relieve it, without having your resume thrown in their face in some effort to defend the poor maligned medical profession. If your reaction here represents the medical profession, it is no wonder she felt treated so coldly. A modicum of compassion goes a long way toward soothing someone who is scared.

PS - Ravi, my heart goes out to you. I hope that everything will be ok for you, and I am sorry you are going through this.

One other major problem with the medical profession is the lack of real training and testing given to on-point caregivers in human relations, sensitivity, communications, and personal discipline - such as knowing what to say (and what not to say) in difficult circumstances such as these. It takes extraordinary social skills and personal strength to function well in that profession, and the development of those qualities is haphazard at best.

GAH! Guys, can we quit with the daring already???? Let's grant that there are people who are fearful about their health, and that there are medical workers that are doing the best they can.

Ravi has the right to feel afraid, and Jellin has ample reason to feel underappreciated. Both deserve our sympathy and respect.

Also well said and agreed with. However I do feel Jellin's post was over the top.

I don't disagree with you about sympathy and respect Liona, but in this case, while Ravi appeared to be "blasting" an industry and the individuals in that industry, I interpreted Ravi's post as a cry for comfort, a need for reassurance.

The reponses to Ravi's post showed a fair lack of sensitivity to the situation and a lack of understanding as to what the post was really about, Ravi's fear and anxiety. Seth said it best, and it's really a measure of what's wrong with most professions today where there is a service industry that needs to deal with the public (and the medical profession is definitely service oriented) - our society has become so "me" oriented that when we see a post like Ravi's we immediately feel "offended and defensive" for ourselves.

*hugs Ravi*

My thoughts are with you.

My mother had to go through this, the wait isn't easy.

Chin up.

This topic is about Ravi so going back to that topic.


You have my thoughts and prayers! You will be ok! In the face of adversity is when we find our most shining and precious moments. You have today - live it like ever day is today! I know waiting is a bitch, but drink some mocha, burn some incense and wear some comfy slippers and read a good novel. Your answer will be here before you realize it.

Ravi, I'm sorry, I deeply apologize. I had no business reacting as I did, my only excuse is it was late, I was tired and it had been a very long day that partially had dealth with some of the very issues you mentioned, and I wrongly just let this get to me personally.

I snapped.

I'm ashamed of myself and I'll be taking my leave of these forums as I find it hard to imagine holding my head up after this.

Jellin, don't be silly, you have no reasons to leave the forums...I personally enjoy most of your posts! Can't a simple apology be enough? Why must everyone run away after making a mistake (who knows it may not have been a mistake - it's just our opinion on your post and others....it wasn't just about your post, btw).

Jellin I too see no reason for you to leave the forum. Your apology is very well received in my book. We are ALL human and that is what this forum needs to realize and appreciate.

Stay. And keep your head up.