• From: High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
  • Registered: Fri, 11 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 34

Topic: Stents gone???

My husband was diagnosed in Febuary 2011 with CC inoperable  and has been having chemo with gem/cis since April 2011. He has managed to keep the same number of tumors with some shrinkage
He recently had a scan that says his stents are gone and his liver has been resected. Neither of these two things has been done. We have tried to get them to rescan him as this does not sound like his scan but they say it's to soon. The Dr says its just the way the CT was taken, wouldn't you think they could see part of the liver they say has been resected
My question has anyone had their stents pass? Wouldn't you know it was happening. Five weeks before on another scan it talks about the stents being there. So can two fall out in five weeks?
We have no idea what another man was having CT but there were two Darrell's at the CT department at the same time. The person working there named them Darrell one and Darrell two, but like I said we have no idea what he was having scanned.  Thank you for any info you can give us.

  • From: New Bern, North Carolina
  • Registered: Tue, 30 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 682

Re: Stents gone???

Being in the medical field I would make a personal visit to the medical records department and get a copy of the scan.  I would speak with the supervisor there regarding your concerns that a medical mistake MAY HAVE been made. 

I would also request an appointment with the radiology department head.  I would explain there was a name alert with two patients having the same name. 

I would show the descrepancy between this scan and the previousl one.  I know this is hard having to fight this disease as well as all of the other issues in medicine but I'm having a hard time with the doctor's explanation and this is NOT TRACKING correctlly for me.

Hugs!
Pam

My Mom lost her one year battle with CC on April 3, 2009.

"A prognosis is simply an audit of how truly precious each day is.  Live each day to the maximum, celebrate what was, and what is - Don't spend your life looking forward to what will or might be." .... words of wisdom from my beloved son on hearing of his grandmother's CC prognosis.
  • Lainy
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,209

Re: Stents gone???

OMGOODNESS! Ditto what Pam said. EVEN IF the stents magically disappeared how would they account for the resection not showing? I  must say this is a first here and something you surely do not need. Please let us know the outcome.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
  • Registered: Fri, 11 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 34

Re: Stents gone???

Thank you we are actually sitting waiting to see the Dr and find out why he can't be rescanned. He never had a surgery and we are trying to get transferred to BC for the winter and really don't want the oncologists out there to think he has had a resection when he hasn't  I will post as soon as we see her

  • Registered: Mon, 27 Jun 2011
  • Posts: 435

Re: Stents gone???

Geez, that is awful.  If they give you grief, I would call patient relations from the hospital, they can help be your advocate.  I would explain to them there appears to be an error on your husband's scan, perhaps was mixed up with another patients.
The only reason I can think why he should not get rescanned is the radiation exposure form the CT. I would request he get a MRI so he is not exposed to the radiation again.  I would also suggest that the hospital pay for the MRI.  This is THEIR mistake, they should pay, they should not even bill your insurance.
I would call patient relations.

Let us know what happens.

Susie

6 Reply by Sueayers (edited by Sueayers Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:14:57)

  • From: High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
  • Registered: Fri, 11 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 34

Re: Stents gone???

Sorry I didn't reply right away but the ball is rolling again and hopfully in two weeks someone's head will roll when the Dr that dealt with us is back from holidays.
Finally after 8 cycles we got to see the oncologist again and it didn't take much for her to see what we were saying. She talked to a number of heads of departments and they have decided to rescan Darrell after the 22 and before he starts his third round of gem/cis
We will not have to pay. Right away she didn't see how both stents could be gone and the liver resection impossible.  She did say she is going to their department to insure it is Darrell's scan
Thanks very much for your words of wisdom I am still writing everything done and said and may send it in so maybe someone will find out why this GP dr is dealing with all this instead of the oncologist and maybe making the oncologist check the GP's work.
Sue

  • From: New Bern, North Carolina
  • Registered: Tue, 30 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 682

Re: Stents gone???

So glad things are looking up.  As I said, I'm in the medical field and none of this (other than it was a mistake), made any sense to me.

You should be proud of yourself for not backing down and demanding things are done correctly!  In this day and age if you are a patient entering into the medical world you need a strong advocate. 

I urge you to continue to be very proactive and when something doesn't seem right to you, it probably isn't!

Don't forget to please take good care of you, the caregiver!  We are always here for you!

I'm sending hugs and prayers!

Pam

My Mom lost her one year battle with CC on April 3, 2009.

"A prognosis is simply an audit of how truly precious each day is.  Live each day to the maximum, celebrate what was, and what is - Don't spend your life looking forward to what will or might be." .... words of wisdom from my beloved son on hearing of his grandmother's CC prognosis.
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,209

Re: Stents gone???

Dear Sue, good job and to Pam sage advise. I know full well how our Caretakers have so much on their plates  but being a strong advocate is so important. One must really listen to their gut feelings as they are most often right! If it doesn't feel right it usually isn't. And here youhave a ton of proof! Looking forward to the next Scan and praying for good news!

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
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Re: Stents gone???

Hi Sue, I can't answer your 2 questions but you do know how we love the word STABLE and NO NEW LESIONS. Cause enough to enjoy the weekend! Will be waiting to hear what the ONC says and you are right when you ask why Zthe GP is involved and then the final word still comes from the ONC. Neither Teddy's GP nor mine was involved with us. I just made sure he got all reports. You have become a wonderful advocate, certainly not a job we asked for but we really do become smart inthe field of CC! Wishing a good report for next week!

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.