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Posted 11/29/2014 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
How do you keep a turkey in suspense? I'll tell you Monday. Old but appropriate.

I received a phone call Thursday morning from my GP's nurse stating that the Dr. would like to see me next week to discuss the results of a pelvic CT scan (had a bone scan the same day). I explained that I had transportation issues and it was not possible and I would be available for a telephone consult. At this time I also informed her that I was surprised by the call as he did not order the scan and that I had an appointment to see the Uro who ordered it on the 5th Dec. this was news to her. She made a phone consult appointment for me for Monday afternoon and would call me if the Dr. refused to make the call. Bone scan was never mentioned.

Now, I understand he might be just calling to say "great news the scan was clear", or the other end of the scale. To be honest I really don't understand why he's involving himself at all. He's a GP whom I've met once for twenty minutes, I needed a family doctor so I could get referrals and a PSA requisition.

Do these medical professionals not appreciate the added stress they cause people? I was quite happy to wait until the 5th and discuss with the Uro. Not worried, just PO'd.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 11/29/2014 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Darned if you do, and darned if you don't...?
Posted 11/29/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Respectfully, I don't think that's the case. I think it's a lack of communication in the profession. The nurse didn't know who ordered the scan and the Uro didn't know the GP got involved. In a perfect world the Uro would give the results on the scan he ordered and say, "by the way, your GP would like to discuss pine tree growing in your stomach". I will politely discuss this with the GP next time we converse, he either takes it for what it is, a patients perspective, or he doesn't.
Cheers, Doug
Posted 11/29/2014 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Don't get me started on this issue. Without getting into specifics, I totally agree. Its not just the medical system, it is every system in which the human being is involved. Invisible cubicles have been created by folks, who really would much rather be doing something else, except even that prospect puzzles them. As I age, it bothers me less, because I realize the futility of a society that is so far behind its own knowledge. There is more good here than bad, but it is the transitional phase of hopefully a better paradigm and folks in our part of the bell curve sense it the most. On a practical matter, what I do, is in most interactions I have, I speak to what they are communicating , not to what they are saying. My basic premise is that everybody, I mean everybody in the vast majority of settings , knows exactly what is going on. I speak to that knowledge and let the chips fall where they may. I don't let em hide behind the goodness and politeness of others. Im not much on stop and chats, if Im going to talk to someone, by god, its going to be about some thing rather than no thing. Most people don't like that about me, but they sure are attracted to it. What me worry??
Posted 11/29/2014 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
$
Posted Yesterday 8:19 AM (GMT 0)
Wow!

Now I am so glad that my Family MD, my Endro Dr. and my Uro all talked to each other without me being in the middle. The Uro got information from the two other doctors about who I am and in turn the Uro talked with them about how the Biopsy, Surgery and pathology all went. They all got together and when I would see one, they already had the information from the Uro. When I saw the Uro, he already knew about me from the other two doctors.

Maybe I had just had it great, but I see them as professionals that I pay to work together for my benefit.

DonC
Posted Yesterday 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
I agree BrownTrout- could be $$ or him wanting to keep tabs on you. Regardless, if he isn't the one who ordered it I fail to see why he is interjecting himself, especially given the fact that the MD who did order it hasn't had a chance to review it with you.

That just seems pretty strange to me and possibly overstepping some bounds.
Posted Yesterday 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
DonC, your doctors are being professional and thoughtful to your mental well being, the way it should be, in my opinion. Good for you!

Kuk & BT, yes it is always about the $ isn't it? It's all about billable hours, well actually minutes.

Cheers, Doug
Posted Today 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Update, the nurse called to cnx telephone appointment stating the Dr. That this type of conversation should be in person, and I agree, but not from a GP. Anyway I had her put the GP on, explained to him he wouldn't be telling me anything that I'm not prepared for and that I would have a face to face with my Uro on Friday and didn't need anymore unwarranted suspense. Anyway....mets to the neck, skull, shoulder and pelvis, plus some questionable areas.
Cheers, Doug
Posted Today 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes, hopefully HT will take care of it. good for you for the intheface, er, interface with the GP. Chances are great you know more than the GP about pca
Posted Today 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Logo! I guarantee you I know more as do most of us on HW, he ordered a free PSA test AFTER my Prostate was out.
Cheers, Doug
Posted Today 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Gee Doug, not the news you wanted or the way you wanted to get it.

I reckon getting bad news can be made more bearable if it is accompanied by a proposed course of action to deal with it. To just be given the bad news and then left in limbo is cruel.

Hopefully by the time you see your Uro, he will have a plan of action ready for you to consider.

Good luck

Chas
Posted Today 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Chas, in a "twisted" way it was what I wanted to hear, but not from him. He should have stayed out of it until briefed by my Uro or me. I now have an explanation for my rapid PSADT. I had done my "what ifs" LOL
Cheers, Doug
Posted Today 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Doug, that sux man. I'm sorry to hear about the update. Even though you knew it was a possibility, it must have been a bit breathtaking to actually hear it. These G9s are an unpredictable bunch of aggressive renegades. Crap. Have you had any symptoms from any of these met locations? I don't recall from your prior posts, have you had a bone scan before this one? Were there any mets then?

On the positive side, as you've seen there are those here with mets that have had good responses to some of the treatments that have become available, so hopefully you and your team of docs can develop a good attack plan. Your medical oncologist is your main resource now, I'd say. The GP and urologist fade in this situation, since this isn't really their specialty anymore.

These are the potential developments I think anyone with a G9 has lurking in the back of the mind...

Keep us posted on the attack plan Doug. In the meantime, special thoughts for you, man!

Jerry
Posted Today 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jerry, this was the first Scan though I had asked for them in Sweden. As for the symptons, only some minor pain which I told him about, headache, pelvis, neck and shoulder. They just feel like normal aches and pains but wasn't surprised. I'm hopeful we'll come up with an initial plan on Friday. Have still yet to see an oncologist though have requested since Dx. Will let you know the results Friday.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 12/2/2014 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Quick follow up here, Doug. I don't know much about Canada's health system, but in your situation if you haven't seen a medical oncologist I'm afraid you're short the key member of your team. It would even be worth considering travel to the US if you can afford it, if you can't get a med onc appointment in Canada's system.

You have an empty net, and you're barely into the second period... Find your goalie and get him in the crease! Gordie 9's coming down the ice for a one-on-one...

The uro may be helpful, but he or she is not the type of doctor that can best handle advanced PCa. And it appears you've got a tiger by the tail, my friend.

Again, all the best,
Jerry
Posted 12/2/2014 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Jerry, good analogy! I'm 99% sure I'll be getting the Oncologist referal Friday, having said that, I've been informed that Oncologists consult with my Uro, guess he's pretty good in his own right. Will certainly get a Med Onc board though.
I'm not kidding myself, I'm in deep $h1t and have accepted it, but not given up!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 12/2/2014 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Doug,
You have a great attitude and you were correct about your GP. My internal medicine physician told me that the reason I had gained some weight is because of not having much testosterone since having my prostate nuked!! Idiot.

Paul
Posted 12/2/2014 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Paul, I think keeping a pragmatic and objective attitude is best, gives me more time to worry about the Leafs not making the play offs.......again!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 12/2/2014 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you Shaba on the " manhood " stuff that floats around here occasionally. I remember when I was a kid I asked my mother,how come Allan Ladd crossed his legs like a girl, this in in a western that I saw. Wise woman that she was said… " only a real man can do that …. " At that young age I understood exactly her point.
Posted 12/2/2014 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Kudos to you for keeping such a positive attitude. Best wishes to you.
Posted 12/2/2014 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Wrong thread Logo! LOL
Cheers, Doug
Posted 12/5/2014 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Update: Uro didn't appreciate GP sticking his nose in. He said GP should take a back seat when specialists are involved, I agree.
Bone Mets suspected along with a lesion on adrenal gland, they won't confirm until a biopsy is done.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 12/5/2014 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
It is all about the mighty $. Your GP shouldn't be involved but he wants to charge for an office visit.
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