Double Masectomy Unnecessary!

Q. · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER
No, that would be wonderful, and I'm sure millions of people would kill to hear that. The compensation is for being told she had cancer, that IS traumatic. For the majorly disfiguring surgical procedure. That IS traumatic. For having to prematurely ponder her own mortality. That IS traumatic. These are things she is left with that are still painful no matter how many times we all say "Well, it could be worse, you could really have cancer." That's a lame azz consolation prize if you ask me.

Heather

I agree, the surgery, etc all should be compensated for. But can you really put a price on being told you have a potentially fatal disease? What's the magic dollar amount?

OBNURSEHEATHER · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by Susy K
I agree, the surgery, etc all should be compensated for. But can you really put a price on being told you have a potentially fatal disease? What's the magic dollar amount?

There isn't a magic dollar amount Susy, but I'd expect a little more compassion and sympathy than "shut up and be happy you don't have cancer." I understand where you're coming from with your friend and FIL, but you need to look at it from the other side.

That woman will wake up and look in the mirror everyday and be reminded of what was done to her. What will make the doctor hurt everyday? It may not be money. In fact, I don't think it is money. I'd prefer to see him lose his license. But I've never argued the money in this thread. I'm arguing the recognition of what this woman has been put through, and tried to validify it as a life altering and traumatic chain of events.

No, you can't put a price tag on being told you may die, because it's horrible. And you can't rectify it by simply saying "Be happy you're not going to die."

Heather

DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

I dont think the woman is having an issue with the money as well, I think her lawyer is but the woman herself doesnt seem to be having that an issue. The issue with her was the fact how it was brushed off as a MISTAKE and an oh well.... The Dr hasnt lost his job nor his license nor will he. He isnt an employee of the hospital which puts them into a grey area where the Hospital covers them and there is a cap on his responsibilities... on that note somone handed that DR a mislabled speciman... so how much of this is truly the Drs. fault, he only reads (the tissue) material given to him... but who mislabled it in the first place and is their pockets as deep as the hospital or the Dr's? I bet not.

The potential for a huge showing of how the healthcare system is not working, is the case.... The communication breakdown and the ramifications from it is what is showing an no hospital wants that bad publicity. But it needs to be shown over and over and over again , and Im not sure what the magic dollar amount is.... Im sure no amount will be enough, the psychological damage and body image damage alone would be enough but on top of that she got an infection from a unnecessary surgical procedure from this which will cause more long term damage.... This entire case is a Cluster F****.

Zoe

Q. · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER
There isn't a magic dollar amount Susy, but I'd expect a little more compassion and sympathy than "shut up and be happy you don't have cancer." I understand where you're coming from with your friend and FIL, but you need to look at it from the other side.

Hmm. I suppose.

My mom is also a breast cancer survivor and I think the timing of this subject is just....well....bad. (as you know).

RNbeach, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

I can't even imagine what his poor woman is going through, what a horrible and traumatic thing to happen!

and Yes.. she should be happy she doesn't have cancer... but to undergo a double mascectomy for nil! and the decision she and her family had to make because of this incorrect diagnosis...such emotional anguish for this family to endure

and to have both her breast missing unnecassarily! that is difficult enought to live with when you know it was the right thing to do in order to save your life... now what!

I was also reading that hospital pathlogist was not terminated! I"m sorrrrry but I think that person should have been FIRED!

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

"I'm sorry but It doesn't look good". Tears start streaming down your face as you lay in post-op still fuzzy from the anesthesia. A couple of arm squeezes from the post-op nurse. My husband helps me get dressed and we prepare to leave and the nurse who admitted me to same day surgery wants to know why I am crying. So we tell them. The Dr just took the biopsy and he said that it doesn't look good. Now we have to wait. Now you start to learn a little more about cancer. As you read you are sickened, you feel surreal. You continue to wait for results. Many hushed phone calls. Kids are around so I tell people not to call much because I don't want the kids freakin out. Husband supporting me best he can, but, I can tell he is afraid. Dr finally calls with the results from the biopsy, luckily my husband answers the phone. I just knew it was the Dr. calling. I watch my husband talk and I can tell from his body language that the biopsy positive. The Dr wants to see us. Okay, here is where the really scary part comes in. We go to the surgeon and he is stuck in surgery, he calls the office and asks us if we would rather reschedule intead of wait. We say no way we're rescheduling. I don't know what to do with myself, we walk around. I think we ended up waiting around 4 hours. Finally, the Dr. arrives. Well, let me tell you I was never so afraid to see someone like I was of seeing him. Terrified, I was stoned on pure adrenalin and fear. He starts to tell you that yes you do have cancer and you have stage II invasive breast cancer. Everything is surreal, I can't even remember some of what he was saying, thank God my husband was there. Then we start discussing options. And you can't believe that you are actually thinking of certain things like having a modified radical mastectomy or a bilateral mastectomy. I choose the bilateral because of my age (36). Okay, fear is now everything. Fear for yourself, your husband and your beautiful children. What is gonna happen to my kids? How are they going to deal with not having a mother around. I think I would have let the dr take my breasts off right then and there. All of a sudden I was terrified of my body. And this people, is a really really scary feeling. Myriad of dr's appoints to be made. Having to deal with all the ignorant I don't give a sh*t attitudes of dr's offices. There were of course many competent and helpful nurses and such but let me tell ya, there is a whole lot of uncompassionate and incompetent people out there. Okay, so now it's time to see the ONCOLOGIST. OMG, I can tell you that right now I'm actually nauseous thinking about my onc. Okay, this was a real treat. You discuss options like chemotherapy although I have to say the oncologist did ease into things with me I think. You go to your kids softball game and almost pass out in the restroom. Okay, now to the big surgery. Ever been run over by a truck? I wait in preop with about twenty other people(this was really weird) and they kept asking me exactly what they were going to do. They made me say "I am having both my breast removed in surgery". I wake up after 7-8 hours of surgery I had recontruction at the same time totally sick from anesthesia. My poor hubby was exhausted. People came to see me although I widh they wouldn't have. So now its about 9pm on the night of my surgery and hubby says he has just got to go home and get some rest and I would imagine to collect himself. So there I am all alone. NEVER in my life was I so scared. I tried to get up and all the blood from my drains and wounds burned like he**. I kept thinking I gotta pee. I was somewhat obsessed with the thought of peeing, that was wierd. Didn't matter, I couldn't get up, I. finally called the nurse who took forever to come in to help me but she couldn't help me up. I'll have to say I drew the short straw on the nursing staff throughout this whole thing at the hospital but I know they are busy I know that the state of healthcare suc**. I had one of those movement beds that malfuntioned all night long. There was no way I was staying in that hospital another day. Nope, one night was enough for me. I wanted to be home with my family. Tried like he** til I got out of bed and finally peed. Told the Doc I wanna go home. Well let me describe what I looked like. I had three drains put in and I would have to empty each drain. I was wrapped up like a mummy and boy did I hurt. I was starting to panic in the hospital beacause I didn't think I was going to be able to get in the car. What a mess. Finally home and start the recovery. Man, I think back on that and I don't know how I got through it. I couldn't get up by myself. If you think about it you use your arm and chest muscles for just about everything. Hubby slept on the floor so he wouldn't move the bed. I had to wake him to go to the bathroom. Didn't eat much but I remember getting one of those pepridge farm cookies in a gift basket and I swear it was the best cookie I ever had. Finally recovered after about a week. Now we have to go to docs to find out if the cancer has spread to the nodes. Yes it has, just one and microscopic at that. Well that was a relief. Okay, now it's time to remove your drains. Holy sh*t did that hurt. OMG, It really hurt. Finally can see my chest. I can't beleive all this has happened. I think it was good to have the reconstructive surgery because at least I had something to look at. No nipples though, their history. No feeling in my breast either so anybody who doesn't think that breasts are important are sadly mistaken. I miss having feeling there. There is no connection between my breast and sexual urge now. That is a darn shame. Then comes the really fun ride, chemotherapy. I won't go into that.

I just want to make sure that you realize what a traumatic event this is. Yes, i am very grateful to be alive and well and yes I wish someone would tell me there has been a big mistake. But you know once your body is altered it can't be put back together. No matter how great your implants are , your still not gonna feel anything there.

It just seems to me that some people think having your breast removed is not such a big deal. Well, it is a huge deal and the people involved in this fiasco oughta pay dearly for it.

Sorry this is so long but I had to get it off my chest (lol)

mona b

OBNURSEHEATHER · Jan 21, 2003

What a wonderful post mona, thank you so much for sharing this with us. I don't think I took one single breath while I read that.

Heather

SCB · Jan 21, 2003

I was up set about the fact that the media was blaming the doctor. it was the labs fault. This could happen to anyone. It's unacceptable. I just have to wonder how many people really are very sick and thier labs come back normal.

RNbeach, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

OMG MONa... I'm crying and I can't stop! Thank you for sharing your story with us! I can't even imagine... I can't!

DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

Mona I am so thankful that you posted your experience.... And even more greatful that your here with us. Words can not express how glad am I am that you shared that with us... It gives more insight on what it was like and how horrible it was , and could be. Im a surgical nurse and now Im glad I speak to each and every patient before and after the procedure and to their famlies.I try to make sure that some fear is atleast comforted because there is no way I could even touch the surface of the fear and anxiety. Once again Im so thankful you shared your story.

Zoe

Lausana · Jan 21, 2003

Thank you for sharing Mona...I hope this poor woman has someone kind enough to share with her & help her cope. :crying2: I too am glad you're here with us today.

...and I can't even begin to imagine if you'd went through all of what you did, to be told it was a mistake. I'm not even sure there could be compensation for that.

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2003

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I just thought that a little firsthand insight would bring around the human aspect of this whole mess.

mona b