Point of diagnosis
Out of all of the most fantastic care, support and help I've been given over the last 9 months I still find my experience at being told I have cancer bugs me a lot. I had my core biopsy on the Wednesd...
Forum Discussion
Gosh, @Blondy .... that's a shocker. You would think that GPs/Specialists would have some sort of lessons on the protocol of delivering bad news ..... surely it can't be THAT hard to show a bit of empathy - altho in a funny way, I guess they also need to protect their own mental health by not taking everyone's problems home wth them .... by getting 'too close' to their patients.
After my biopsy at the end of Dec, I knew the results would be back in the 1st week of Jan - so I booked an appt with my GP 'just in case' I 'got the call'. (I find that if the Dr's surgery calls you to come in - it is usually NOT a good sign!!) SO ... I was out in my kayak, fishing & 'got the call' to book an appointment - and I replied, it is already booked! (LOL They hadn't checked!) 2 days later - as I entered my GPs office, I motioned thumb up or thumb down - and she gave the thumb down & gave me a hug & we started on my game plan. From memory - I replied FUCK!!!
Back in 2010 when my husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer - his specialist had already told me immediately after his uppie/downie that there was a growth on his pylorus & it didn't look good (hubby was still sedated so didn't remember being told) ..... so I already had a fair idea that it was cancer. Our GP then rang us at home (out of hours) to tell me that it looked bad & we needed to work on getting his weight up as he was going to be having major surgery & an extended period of not eating & needed all the 'condition' that he could - to survive the surgery & she took an amazing interest in hubby's whole cancer period, both pre and post surgery etc. He is currently 8 years cancer free.
We've been very lucky in our choice of GPs in recent years! My GP found my lumps 'by accident' when I went in for a pap smear (and they were only small - about 1cm each in the 'broccoli' - so even harder to 'feel' than if in other breast tissue.) My surgeon praised her 'wonderful fingers' for having picked them up so early, as it has been to my advantage, ever since, by being picked up so early.
After my biopsy at the end of Dec, I knew the results would be back in the 1st week of Jan - so I booked an appt with my GP 'just in case' I 'got the call'. (I find that if the Dr's surgery calls you to come in - it is usually NOT a good sign!!) SO ... I was out in my kayak, fishing & 'got the call' to book an appointment - and I replied, it is already booked! (LOL They hadn't checked!) 2 days later - as I entered my GPs office, I motioned thumb up or thumb down - and she gave the thumb down & gave me a hug & we started on my game plan. From memory - I replied FUCK!!!
Back in 2010 when my husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer - his specialist had already told me immediately after his uppie/downie that there was a growth on his pylorus & it didn't look good (hubby was still sedated so didn't remember being told) ..... so I already had a fair idea that it was cancer. Our GP then rang us at home (out of hours) to tell me that it looked bad & we needed to work on getting his weight up as he was going to be having major surgery & an extended period of not eating & needed all the 'condition' that he could - to survive the surgery & she took an amazing interest in hubby's whole cancer period, both pre and post surgery etc. He is currently 8 years cancer free.
We've been very lucky in our choice of GPs in recent years! My GP found my lumps 'by accident' when I went in for a pap smear (and they were only small - about 1cm each in the 'broccoli' - so even harder to 'feel' than if in other breast tissue.) My surgeon praised her 'wonderful fingers' for having picked them up so early, as it has been to my advantage, ever since, by being picked up so early.