Big decision

Texas_wedge said:

Misleading information
One Lucky Girl, thanks for the narrative. My first thought when I read your previous message was that it sounded like someone protecting their turf but I dismissed the idea, thinking that no-one could be so venal, irresponsible and, most of all, so stupid. I still think that being so mercenary and behaving so criminally in deceiving a patient whose best interests should have been their primary consideration is really shocking, but I've re-considered the stupidity aspect, for the reason I'm giving below.

If English is not your first language, I must say I'm mightily impressed with your command of it. However, your mindset is a very familiar one to us in the UK - not wanting to complain, particularly with our prized NHS for which we have so much to be thankful. However, there are times when one ought to complain. The medics who so blatantly deceived you were amazingly complacent in not supposing that they would be found out but they don't seem to be so stupid if they can trade successfully on decent peoples' reluctance to complain. We can't know how many past patients' trust they have sold out and how many more they may get away with duping if they aren't stopped.

I don't want to lay an undue moral burden on you but don't you think you owe it to others less intelligent than yourself, who aren't smart enough to handle it the way you have, to help to put an end to such gross professional misconduct?

I'm delighted you're doing so well and probably cured once and for all. You're now in excellent hands (including your Husband in this) and not subject to any recriminations. The good guys would like you to register a formal complaint to help maintain the integrity of their profession and to protect future patients form the bad guys who will quite possibly keep getting away with it if someone well placed to do so doesn't blow the whistle.

One Lucky Girl said:

Small community
Hi Texas_wedge,

I grew up in the medical community (my father, uncles, brothers were/are all surgeons, mother, sister, aunts were/are health professionals). It's a very close-knit one and an influential one.

Having to go literally knocking on doors (instead of being referred) with a possible cancer diagnosis was one of the most stressful experiences I have ever been through. I arrived at the final Urology centre in a flood of tears, pictures in hand and no appointment. The staff was wonderfully compassionate and looked right after me. When I told my doctor of my experiences, his expression was thunderous. Standards at this hospital are extremely high. You can rest assured that this will be dealt with in no uncertain terms.

Having just had surgery and received a cancer diagnosis two weeks ago, I prefer that they proceed without me at the centre of it. I just need a hug :-).

garym said:

Hug from afar...
Please add another hug from across the pond. You may not think so, but in my book you are one strong lady!

Texas_wedge said:

Location NY
Another plus for you - you couldn't be in many better places than NY for access to expert advice and care (although one of the world's top laparoscopic surgeons, trained in Dundee, Scotland, now works in a specialist facility in India!).

The domain of RCC, as I'm sure you've already researched, is very complex, analogue and multi-factorial but the fact that you were a programmer doesn't mean you're condemned to think in binary! What will you be working at in future? I'm sure you'll do well, whatever it is.

livealive said:

laparoscopic surgeons, trained in Dundee, works in India ?
TW - can you give out his name ?
Also, is there a way to communicate only with certain members v/s posting as an open blog ?
Thx.

sharnan said:

2nd opinion
Hi One Lucky Girl and everyone
Well, I have made an appointment for a second opinion for the 16th April. I know deep down that it is something that I had to do to satisfy myself. So have been madly making copies of all my reports to take.
One Lucky Girl, it is a solid mass I have not a cyst,and that is what scares me the most.
I will let you know how I go in a few weeks. So nice to say a few weeks instead of waiting for my next scan in August from my other Dr.
Take care .....

sharnan said:

Thank you Tracey
Hi Tracey,
I was going to put all my faith in the specialist I had and just do what he said "watch and wait" but last time I was there I asked him what happens if it hasn't grown at the August scan. He said he would start spacing the visits out more, meaning they would not be done at 6 months but with longer times in between.
As I know this is a solid lesion I was not happy with that answer, hence my going for a 2nd opinion on the 18th April (not 16th as I previously wrote) so just 2 weeks to wait instead of waiting until August for another US.
It certainly is not a nice feeling knowing something is inside you that should not be there.
Thank you for telling me your story and I will certainly let you know how I get on with the 2nd opinion.
Talk soon and thank you again,
Rose

nyc_girl said:

2 opinions
I discovered (by luck) in late November that I had a 2.2cm kidney tumor. I had no symptoms. I am in my early 40s. I got 2 medical opinions in NY from doctors specializing in kidney tumors. Both doctors recommended partial nephrectomy based on the MRI results. One doctor recommended robotic surgery, the other recommended open surgery. I decided to have the tumor removed in January by open surgery. The surgeon I chose has many many years of experience operating on kidney tumors. He was able to remove the tumor and save most of my kidney. The tumor turned out to be clear cell RCC, fuhrman grade 3. I recovered from the surgery and no further treatment is being recommended, but I will need to have regular post-op imaging to make sure there is no recurrence.

Good luck with your decision. Wishing you well.