Diagnosis

I’m going to present two diagnoses here – one as an intro to me, and one to the reason for this blog.

I would self-diagnose as a difficult patient. I pretty much hate most doctors. Very few of them earn my trust. I also hate being treated like a piece of meat. Unfortunately, it seems that most doctors and medical offices seem to think this is how to treat patients.

That leads to the second diagnosis and the reason for this blog. I’ve recently been diagnosed with lymphoma, and I think there’s value in documenting the process. I know it will be cathartic for me, and maybe I can provide some information for others, as well.

So here’s where I stand. My initial lymphoma diagnosis was performed via needle biopsy. My next step is a surgical biopsy where they go in and take a hunk from the fist-sized lump on my neck and confirm that it is indeed a lymphoma, and narrow down the type. After that, I have to meet a medical oncologist and figure out a treatment plan.

That’s what prompted this particular post. Unfortunately, I need to provide a little backstory about the road to my diagnosis, but stay with me and I’ll keep it brief. I went from my general practitioner to an ENT, who then referred me to another ENT. Not sure why the double referral, but I’m assuming ENT #2 specializes in this type of thing. So ENT #2 diagnosed me via needle biopsy, and now wants to do the surgical one.

Let’s talk about the needle biopsy first. ENT #2 told me that my results would be back in 3-5 days. So 5 days later I call back, and am told by the office staff that they have no idea why he would say that, these things generally take at least 7-10 days. Strike one.

At the end of day nine he calls with his diagnosis, tells me that I need to find a medical oncologist and talk to his surgery scheduler to schedule the biopsy. He recommends a couple oncologists, which is good. He also tells me that his surgery scheduler will have the paperwork in about an hour, and I should be able to schedule then.

So a couple hours later, I call and get her voice mail. Not a big deal. I get a return voice mail asking me to confirm my name and which doctor I’m seeing. This voice mail has me concerned, because it sounds confused. So I call back and get voice mail again. The next day I get a return phone call, and am told she doesn’t have the paperwork from the office, but she’ll call and get it. Strike two.

After playing phone tag with this woman for a few days, she tells me that they will do the surgery on June 27th unless ENT #2 wants to do it sooner. Please note, I’m not asked if that day works for me, it’s just assumed I’ll show up at their convenience. When I mention this the surgery scheduler seems genuinely surprised that I’d even ask. Strike three.

Now I’m going back to my original ENT, who I like and who doesn’t run his office like a butcher shop, and asking him if he’ll do the surgery.

I will remain in control of my life and treatment.