no second appointment or phone call before surgery

By summer Wednesday, November 21, 2007

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I hope no one else had to call several time to get some questions answered from their surgeon. I met with my surgeon 2 days after being told it's cancer. I remember some of what he said - didnt really know at that time what to ask. I've had 2 appointment with the plastic surgeon & even she thought I should at least hear from his office to go over pre-ops. finally got someone to call me back after calling twice & no, they weren't going to see me again, just call the day before & give me the do's & don't about eating & what time to show up. I asked if there was a health care professional that I could ask question of & I guess I had so many, they sqeezed me in for an appt later today. i would have just appreciated a simple phone call checking on me, to see if I understood, see if I had any questions, etc after the initial visit. the plastic surgeon's office did that - the nurse was very nice & realized I may have been a little shocked to get it all.

surgery & path report

Comments (3) | Add comment

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

11/21/07 10:44pm

Do you have a choice of more than one surgeon? I wonder if it's not too late to make a change? You're going to be meeting with this surgeon perhaps for several years after the surgery, for checkups - it would be nice to have someone with an acceptable "bedside manner"! If this person is your only choice, realize you're probably not going to get the nice treatment you want; and readjust your expectations, so you won't be continually disappointed by their behavior. Understand that it's nothing to do with you; it's their busy-ness, or whatever, that prevents them from going the whole nine yards and giving you the human(e) treatment you deserve. Anyway - the very hbest of luck. Keep checking in here, it's a great site for support and communication and connection- PJH

Maria Gifford, Editor

11/22/07 11:37am

Hello Summer,

Good to hear from you again, but no so good to learn you're having such trouble with your surgeon's office. As PJ has pointed out, par for the course -- and nothing to do with you. Yet, it still doesn't make things easier.

I wanted to share this great article with you:

Cracking the Code: Breast Cancer Vocabulary for the Initial Visit

http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/2216/code-part/

Best of luck to you. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

Sincerely,

Maria

summer

11/22/07 11:57am

thank you very much