I Know Doctors are Human...
...but, yesterday, one confused Mark and me. We are happy with the outcome of the appointment, but.... Here's what happened:
Early this year, I went to see a local ENT (ears, nose, throat) doctor, primarily to start on my hearing issues (or lack thereof, I should say.) He did a very thorough exam, including ordering a sonogram of my thyroid, because of bi-lateral nodules on it. When we met to discuss the sonogram results, he explained it was very small, and we would watch it. I gave him "the look" and asked, "even with my history of cancer? It doesn't need to come out?" He was adamant. He explained that the nodule was extremely small. He said that thyroid cancer rarely spreads, and that autospies often find people with thyroid cancer, but that was not the cause of death.
I held my tongue, and knew I would just "table it" and discuss the situation with my oncologist. I don't want to be cancer-phobic, but then again, my vet's wife died last year from a mestasis of thyroid cancer. I have such confidence in my oncologist that I felt just fine putting the discussion to her judgement.
So, what happens yesterday? A follow-up appointment with the ENT. (First of all, the nurse said the chart indicated I was supposed to come in October, not June, but hey...my card said June and they had me on the books!) I said I thought I was there to follow-up on the nodules.
When the doctor came in, he looked at me and chart and said I had a nodule, and referred to the sonogram. He felt it, then asked if it bothered me. I replied that it didn't, except sometimes I see it, and it bothers me knowing it is there. He then looked at me with a compassionate look and said, "Well, we could biopsy it with a needle guided sonogram, or remove it. What would you prefer?" We said we would prefer to have it out (that's been our approach thus far--if it has potential, get rid of it!) He said that was fine, and we are now scheduled for the 27th of August.
All that to say: I know doctors are human, but why the change? Why try to convince me three months ago that even a malignant nodule that size did not warrent concern, and now invite my input and display concern about my comfort level? I talked with a friend today who kind of knows him...she thinks highly of him and knows he has a great reputation. Sigh. Human nature and inconsistancies!
I see my oncologist next week, and will talk with her. And unless this makes her uncomfortable, I guess we will proceed. After all, who needs a nodule?
Early this year, I went to see a local ENT (ears, nose, throat) doctor, primarily to start on my hearing issues (or lack thereof, I should say.) He did a very thorough exam, including ordering a sonogram of my thyroid, because of bi-lateral nodules on it. When we met to discuss the sonogram results, he explained it was very small, and we would watch it. I gave him "the look" and asked, "even with my history of cancer? It doesn't need to come out?" He was adamant. He explained that the nodule was extremely small. He said that thyroid cancer rarely spreads, and that autospies often find people with thyroid cancer, but that was not the cause of death.
I held my tongue, and knew I would just "table it" and discuss the situation with my oncologist. I don't want to be cancer-phobic, but then again, my vet's wife died last year from a mestasis of thyroid cancer. I have such confidence in my oncologist that I felt just fine putting the discussion to her judgement.
So, what happens yesterday? A follow-up appointment with the ENT. (First of all, the nurse said the chart indicated I was supposed to come in October, not June, but hey...my card said June and they had me on the books!) I said I thought I was there to follow-up on the nodules.
When the doctor came in, he looked at me and chart and said I had a nodule, and referred to the sonogram. He felt it, then asked if it bothered me. I replied that it didn't, except sometimes I see it, and it bothers me knowing it is there. He then looked at me with a compassionate look and said, "Well, we could biopsy it with a needle guided sonogram, or remove it. What would you prefer?" We said we would prefer to have it out (that's been our approach thus far--if it has potential, get rid of it!) He said that was fine, and we are now scheduled for the 27th of August.
All that to say: I know doctors are human, but why the change? Why try to convince me three months ago that even a malignant nodule that size did not warrent concern, and now invite my input and display concern about my comfort level? I talked with a friend today who kind of knows him...she thinks highly of him and knows he has a great reputation. Sigh. Human nature and inconsistancies!
I see my oncologist next week, and will talk with her. And unless this makes her uncomfortable, I guess we will proceed. After all, who needs a nodule?
posted by Beverly @ 7:29 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home