DCIS - Breast marker missed in initial surgery

Well, that all totally sucks, @Reggie3.

I, too, had a couple of surgical 'fails' in the early days of my treatment. If nothing else, it quickly disabused me of any romantic notions that the medical profession are either infallible or entirely ethical.

In the end all my kicking and screaming did little to reverse the damage or even obtain an apology (they stick together like shit to a blanket) but it did have one positive effect; it made me very prepared and willing to question anything about my treatment that didn't seem right. I've learned when to make a complaint and how to deliver it.

I've been accused of being adversarial and combative and my files have big red stickers inside them. Good. If I dig my heels in, ask for further information or question someone's competency, I've got past experience on my side and it is much more difficult to fob me off. And I have rarely been wrong--some of the shit that has happened to me in public hospitals would curl your hair. Constant vigilance is tiring, but it is the reality of our mutual obligations in an increasingly overstretched and sadly unmonitored system.  

That's not what any of us want when we get thrown into the great BC mincer, but like any negative experience you can gain strength and conviction from it. 

Chase the dude down if you have the energy, but be prepared for some less than satisfactory responses. Take some comfort that butcher boy will be having his own personal stress attack about this--that's assuming he is not completely invested in his own God complex in which case you can only hope to increase the amount of paperwork he has to deal with. MXX

@Reggie3 WOW! Your story has blown my mind! You poor thing. i cant imagine how you must be feeling & my heart goes out to you. My diagnosis/treatment is very similar to yours but mine worked!! You should be like me now!. I had aggressive DCIS, left breast, 3 years ago & had a lumpectomy to remove it. My operation went so well with clear margins & I only ended up having 3 weeks of rad treatment following the surgery. i went private like you & had an amazing surgeon & I didnt have to pay anything! I also had a hook line put in. 
I do hope today goes well. Your surgeon should be laying out the red carpet for you. I will be thinking of you today & sending love, thoughts & prayers to you. Stay strong & know we are all thinking of you xxxx

Dear @Reggie3

Best wishes for today, and a good outcome. 

Anne65 said:

@Reggie3 WOW! Your story has blown my mind! You poor thing. i cant imagine how you must be feeling & my heart goes out to you. My diagnosis/treatment is very similar to yours but mine worked!! You should be like me now!. I had aggressive DCIS, left breast, 3 years ago & had a lumpectomy to remove it. My operation went so well with clear margins & I only ended up having 3 weeks of rad treatment following the surgery. i went private like you & had an amazing surgeon & I didnt have to pay anything! I also had a hook line put in. 
I do hope today goes well. Your surgeon should be laying out the red carpet for you. I will be thinking of you today & sending love, thoughts & prayers to you. Stay strong & know we are all thinking of you xxxx

Good luck for today and a positive outcome hugs Cheryl xx

Yes - the whole situation totally sucks.  :(  OMG - you've been thru the mill, @Reggie3  

I hope that your surgery goes well today and that you make a good recovery.  I also hope the waiting for THIS lot of pathology isn't too bad for you, as the waiting really sucks too. xx

The ladies have pretty well covered all aspects of what should happen from here (even with humour - good to see you got a laugh out of some of the comments too!)   His behaviour and the outcome of the initial surgery is totally unacceptable.

When you feel up to it, I also believe you should put in a formal complaint to the appropriate authority in Canberra, so that it is 'on record' and is reviewed by an independent group - https://hrc.act.gov.au/health/
https://hrc.act.gov.au/complaints/make-a-complaint-about-a-service/?Service=health

All the best for today xx big hugs coming from me xx

Update 

So I sacked my surgeon I just couldn't stomach the thought of him coming anywhere near my body.  I cancelled today's surgery. Told him bluntly in writing that I was unhappy with the standard of care I received, got a fluffy response! 

I got a second opinion and have just come home from a further ultrasound and biospsy from a different area on the left breast at 6 o'clock x seven core samples, this should have been done before initial surgery like OMG! I go back to new specialist early next week he is so lovely and really looking out for me and thorough.

The pathology results from today will determine the surgery treatment plan. I must commend the breast cancer care nurses for organising the second opinion and supporting me at the appointment. I am also so grateful for the BCNA nurse counsellor for her support and advice. And finally all of you for your kind words, support and encouragement to stand up for myself I couldn't have done this without you.

The saga continues I will be pursuing the legal route when I have a bit more energy and have sorted my health.

This isn't the end of this journey unfortunately so I'll keep you all posted.

Well done! Confidence in your surgeon is pretty important - a longer process but worth it! 

Oh @Reggie3 that’s fantastic!! I’m so happy you did that!! It’s one of the hardest things to do in a situation like this, but you did it! I’m glad you found that strength in you and used it, to fight for YOU! 💪🏻♥️♥️. Very nice of the nurses to support you too 👏🏻👏🏻. 

GO GIRL!!  Well done @Reggie3 - on finding the strength to do that & all the best for the results from the core samples & the next lot of surgery.  Terrific that you had all the support to help you through this! xx

All the best xx

Good for you @Reggie3. I'm so relieved, for your own peace of mind, that you have given this oxygen thief the flick. I'm quite sure that had you gone ahead today with the surgery, it would always be in the back of your mind (did he really get it right this time round). Your health and life are far more important than this buffoon's ego and I'm so pleased that you have taken this stance. I wish you continuing good care as you continue, and I hope that you recover, both physically and emotionally.