Emotions

Maria,

Sorry this has got a hold of you right now - I think it has for all of us in the beginning.
When I needed slides or films set anywhere - I was able to go to the records dept and sign a release and give them the addy of where it needed to go. I think I ran into a hassle only once - Then I simply informed them as to what time I would be there to get them the next day. And I got it It would be a wonderful world if eveyone just did what they should do, but sometimes you have to motivate them. Both Pat and Stephany's ideas are good
I worried about my body image too before my RC - I was a 5 week old newlywed
My scar is now a faint purple line lost in stretchmarks - apologies if that is a bad visual. I think it may fade enough eventually to hardly be seen. I did worry that they would not be able to do the neo and that I would end up with a bag. And that bothered me about my self image.However, my hubby told me all he needed was for me to beat the cancer and he would be fine.
We're here for you, and you are doing good and travelling the road we all have! The tears and fears get better, hugs to you.
God Bless, Holly

Well from one Drama Queen to another...here's what ya do...call the hospital where the TURB was done, give them the date of your procedure and tell them you need to pick up all your pathology reports, your slides, CT scans, whatever else you need...and tell them you need it by a certain date...sooner than later....and go pick them up. They belong to you. Forget the middle man....This is what i did and i had no problem getting it all pretty quickly.
Keep calling Moffitt back about your appointment...if they don't call...find out who the hospital omsbudsman is and call him/her. Theres always someone over someone.
And don't worry about your body image...scars fade..swelling goes down...your life will go back to normal...this is temporary. Pat

Hello, Maria....I was just on the way to bed, and thought I'd check the site one more time. I really wish I could run right over there and hold your hand! This all sucks really bad, doesn't it? No, you're not a drama queen. And a little "mad" doesn't hurt, either!

Call them tomorrow. Call them twice if they don't call back. Call them three times, keeping track of the name of the person you talk to, and use that name when you call back to find out why they haven't called. Make a fuss, and make them want to get you taken care of so you won't call again.

Keep a timeline and list of numbers and names, and then when you call back, you can tell them how many times you've called and when.

Tell them you'll email or fax back to them any release of records form they require. Tell them you need this information NOW, to take care of yourself.

While waiting, research the name of the specialist, research the hospital where that specialist works. Research your doctor's office, and send them an email through their website. Call your insurance company and tell them that the doctor's office is not responding. Generally, work off your anxieties where it will do the most good. Sometimes we women are afraid of making someone angry by asking too much.

Is it asking too much for someone to do their job? No, it isn't. So just be firm, and be consistent, and be a pest...think of yourself as one of those little gnats who just won't quit.

Good luck, and let us know what technique worked the best....we could all use some pointers!

Stephany in Iowa

not sure where to put this:

THE WAIT……….its driving me crazy waiting for a specialist appointment. I received a phone call last week to confirm my insurance details with a promise of a phone call the following day with an appointment. Of course it didn’t happen! Getting used to this now, people saying they are going to get back to you and they don’t.

Oooops I did it again, I keep crying, (not constant now) but this cancer dx keeps creeping up on me. I managed the Christmas shopping well….no tears. Didn’t do to good when out with my husband for a meal last night. We went to a nice restaurant; I was all dressed up, felt great. Then I thought of how my life would change (body image etc)………more tears.
When I talk to my husband or few friends I have told, even when I talk to the doc, its like I am talking about somebody else and not me.
I had put the dx to the back of my mind, really half expecting a phone call from the path lab to tell me they had made a mistake and I was really OK. Bit I know I won’t get the call and am really angry about this, told you I was a drama queen!!!

Left a message with doc’s office last week to ask how I get my path lab slides and results for the pending appointment……..of course have not got a phone call or email back to advise me. I almost give up, all of this running around after people is wearing me out?

Anybody tell me how I get these results, I am trying to prepare myself for ‘the appointment’?

This forum, for me is like talking to a counselor, Sorry if anyone is already down and then reads this! My mind is so overactive, I am terrified of the surgery, hate hospitals and needles etc etc.