Forum Discussion
Apparently ok to tell someone incorrectly they have stage IV cancer
Got the decision back from my complaint regarding my previous surgeon. For those of you that don’t know my previous surgeon told me the day after my mastectomy, and before receiving pathology results that I had stage IV cancer and was in the fight of my life (his exact words). I was sent away as a blubbering mess with a blubbering husband at my side for a CT scan which turned out to be clear along with the lymph nodes. I complained to the health commission as I thought this was totally unprofessional and caused so much stress to myself and hubby - what would of happened if one or both of us had decided to harm ourselves after this incorrect diagnosis!!
Apparently him telling me this based on a pathology report (after partial mastectomy) that said lymphovascular invasion and swollen lymph nodes at the time of mastectomy (which can also be caused by inflammation and I had recently had 2 other surgeries) means it was ok for him to tell me this. They say him recommending for me to see an oncologist for chemo and radiation was fine. They seem to be missing the whole point of the incorrect grading prior to pathology results. Wait until you get confirmation. I wasn’t going to be starting chemo or radiation the next day so keep your mouth shut. I’ll never forget the horrified look on the nurses face when he told me this. I’ll also never forget that after that news was the first time I got on the forum - blubbering away whilst writing posts and getting support from you lovelies.
I have sent sent his response to my oncologist for her review as she was confused by his referral letter which was still talking about stage 4 cancer, she had to request the slides so her pathologist could review them as the referral letter didn’t make sense. I’m also seeing my new surgeon in a couple of weeks and will get her thoughts.
Im definitely going to be providing feedback to the commission and asking for a possible review!!
Sorry for the early morning rant everyone. Tossed and turned all night thinking about this.
Apparently him telling me this based on a pathology report (after partial mastectomy) that said lymphovascular invasion and swollen lymph nodes at the time of mastectomy (which can also be caused by inflammation and I had recently had 2 other surgeries) means it was ok for him to tell me this. They say him recommending for me to see an oncologist for chemo and radiation was fine. They seem to be missing the whole point of the incorrect grading prior to pathology results. Wait until you get confirmation. I wasn’t going to be starting chemo or radiation the next day so keep your mouth shut. I’ll never forget the horrified look on the nurses face when he told me this. I’ll also never forget that after that news was the first time I got on the forum - blubbering away whilst writing posts and getting support from you lovelies.
I have sent sent his response to my oncologist for her review as she was confused by his referral letter which was still talking about stage 4 cancer, she had to request the slides so her pathologist could review them as the referral letter didn’t make sense. I’m also seeing my new surgeon in a couple of weeks and will get her thoughts.
Im definitely going to be providing feedback to the commission and asking for a possible review!!
Sorry for the early morning rant everyone. Tossed and turned all night thinking about this.
34 Replies
- What about federal ministers of Health and shadow also
- Thanks for the tip @SoldierCrab
- Also shadow health minister often they are the ones who action things better than the minister .....
- I have just now sent my complaint letter to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and one of the private hospitals where he practices. I’ll be sending it to the NSW Health Minister too and anyone else I can think of. Nothing will probably happen but at the very least he should be majorly inconvenienced.
- What a f**k knuckle...
- When I worked at a large teaching hospital, I asked a registrar who he was. His reply was: "I am a sexual predator!". I reported him of course. He got into a lot of trouble with his boss and his wife. After that he treated me like I was his best friend.
- Yes, we should probably shift this Roadshow conversation over to that thread!
- @Aggie excellent idea!!!
- Unfortunately, that was back in the '80's and in South Africa, where any kind of legal action had to be done in a Civil Court with a self funded lawyer. We certainly didn't have the money for that, so all I could do was change doctors and remain pissed off. My husband had never voiced any complaints about his "parking arrangements" prior to this and made none afterwards either.
- @kmakm
Count me in!
