Hi, @predictable Thank you for sharing your journey, Martin. Wishing you continued good health and strength on your road to recovery.
Actually, I stated his situation as stage 3 rectal cancer, but we haven't heard about anything from our colorectal surgeon who conducted the colonoscopy. We visited the surgeon after the colonoscopy and biopsy, and he mentioned the findings and asked us to do an MRI, CT scan, and blood test. We did all that was recommended. After that, nobody called us. After a while, someone called and asked if we have an oncologist. Of course, we don't have one. A few minutes later, the same person called and gave us a name and phone number to make an appointment, providing no further information. I asked if they had received the results. She said she believed they did. So, what is the result? "We will call you back once we review them," she said. It's been 4 days and they haven't called back. This coming week we have an appointment. Anyway, we called the given number to make an appointment. They asked for the reason. I said I don't even know why I am calling you or what an oncologist does, etc. We provided my father's information, but they could not make an appointment due to system issues. I logged in to the patient portal and saw the MRI and CT scan reports. I am not an expert to understand those clearly. They were stating "Impression: Mid to high rectal cancer, T3d N2, MRF+, EMVI present." To know nothing drives me crazy. I wanted to know. I searched on the Internet, I used AI to interpret it. I typed every detail into the ChatGPT chatbox, etc. This is why I said Stage 3. And AI even says findings increase the risk of metastasis. I know what I did, what I am doing is not good, but... Anyway, the next day we called the oncologist's office to ask again. The person on the phone said they received the documents and gave them to the oncologist's team, and they will call us to make an appointment either this Friday or Monday. Nobody has called us yet. It seems they are going to call us on Monday. I just lost my faith in the surgeon and their recommendation of an oncologist. We are still going to see them, but I want a better place for a second opinion. My father only knows his diagnosis is rectal cancer. I did not mention anything about what I saw on the reports because I know I may give a lot of wrong information. I am just trying to prepare him mentally for the whole process. I told him that he may receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or not.
Sorry to hear of the delays you face, @mrt2024, getting professional briefing on what tests have shown about your father's rectal diagnosis. On the other hand, I am not surprised that the doctors and staff were unable to spell out medical facts on your first call. It is apparent from the code you found in a diagnosis document that there is a lot of evidence to consider. The code provides information familiar to veteran physicians who diagnose and treat cancers in the digestive tract. However, given the number of factors in the code and the involvement of no less than three physician specialists -- plus the importance they place on getting full involvement of an oncologist -- expert analysis and consultation across specialties is probably essential to giving you the best possible diagnosis and plan for treatment and recovery.
You say that you "did not mention anything about what (you) saw on the reports because I know I may give a lot of wrong information." That was especially wise. I checked medical information about the code on the Internet and found a wide range of factors on every code component -- too many to give me a clear picture of exactly what the tests found. So it took a couple of days for the doctors to consult and make plans to work as a team. My guess is that they will be fully prepared after this weekend to provide you and your father the information you need and deserve. I hope you'll have the opportunity to become a member of the doctor-patient team -- along with your father -- to study test results, identify treatment options, and select those with most promise of successful treatment and recovery of your father. As you may hear every day on television, "Ask your doctor" about giving you a role on the team. Martin