1. In Aug 1988, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus [SLE]. At that time there were not the medical advances and equipment we have these days. I knew something was wrong. The first specialist was a dermatologist, who was convinced the symptoms were all in my head, and wanted to put me on predisone. I refused as I did not want a medically-induced diabetes [which runs in my family]. I insisted on a second opinion; he met that 2nd dr in the hall and told her "really, it's nothing". I came out of the exam room half-dressed, to dress him down. Subsequent definitive testing showed the lupus. What might have happened if I had not advocated for my own case?
2. In Nov 1997, 6 months after my annual Pap smear, I returned to my ob-gyn, asking for a repeat. I recall his words clearly, "this is not a test women want to volunteer for". But I knew something was wrong, was paying for it out-of-pocket, he disagreed but he did it, and we found cervical cancer in situ. That was resolved with a lazer conization in the same month. What might have happened if I had not advocated for my own case?
3. In 2007 and 2008 I had noticed a spot on my right forearm that was changing. Classic foreboding to have it looked at, right? But drs were more concerned with small basal cell skin cancers on my face. Three drs looked at the spot and said it was nothing to worry about, but I had to force the issue. Finally when there was a biopsy going in for yet another basal cell, I convinced [harassed? insisted?] the 3rd dr to biopsy that spot. His words, "just to appease you". It was amelanotic [non-colored] malignant melanoma. Surgery was Dec 2008, and I sport a 32 stitch scar from the surgery. The case was rare, having no color, and was written up in journals. What might have happened if i had not advocated for my own case?
4. In June 2017 I changed nephrologists [having been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2006, then a rare kidney disease in 2015]. The cavalier attitude and not listening to changes that were reported prompted the switch. The new dr saw problems in labwork and referred me to a hematologist-oncologist. My primary tried to dissuade me from the tests the specialists wanted to run, saying, "this is overkill, unneeded." The result? Low-grade Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, What might have happened if I had not advocated for my own case?

Bottom line. Some drs don't want to think the patient may be more informed than they are. Some drs are "company men" and don't want to spend what they think are unnecessary resources and funds on tests. As a patient, I have learned to look out for myself. I question, or challenge, when needed. I use information available to be able to converse on the same level as the medical staff. Afterall, this is the only body I get this time around.
Ginger