Anxiety and depression: waiting for scan results

AZ,
I truly feel sorry to hear that you are in this place. That said, have you noticed that this practice is getting more and more common? Do you wonder why? Is there any good reason for not returning a call especially when a person, a Human Being is dealing with health issues. What could possible be the reason that they lead a patient down a path that makes them say: “ I really don’t think that they care “
For me what keeps coming up is the reality that there seems to be no accountability. I wonder if there’s something that we can do from making suggestions to suing.
If I’m right you’re probably to exhausted to even think about “ doing something “ I’m sorry for your angst with all of this normal procedural BS.
I hope the support from this wonderful group of HBs help!

Waiting for a medical office to respond to a patient is so frustrating. Maybe you could go to the office and get your results. I know you shouldn’t have to do that but it’s probably the fastest way. Best wishes.

@azkidney57 Were you given names for your care team? Do you have a patient advocate? If you are signed up for their patient portal, send a message to your doctor. They may be having a second or third set of eyes review everything. If you live close by, go in and ask what is going on, and don't leave until you're satisfied. Talk to the administration people, expressing your concerns, and tell them, "what about patients who don't have the energy or resources I have to question, but still suffer the same failure to communicate?" Unfortunately, more and more we need to aggressively advocate for ourselves. I'm glad you shared here.
Ginger

Thanks for responding Ginger. I finally did get the results of my MRI and CT scan. I am cancer free at present. But I did not receive the results from my cancer center, my “cancer team” as I had anticipated. I had to get the results on my own. In the future I will be more aggressive regarding my results. The cancer center had my results all along. I feel my cancer center has failed me. So, I have an appointment to see my oncologist and I will tell him in person how disappointed I am! I will also find an ombudsman for that cancer center. I will file a complaint because I have had issues with “communication “ or rather lack of with this center all along! There is a nurse navigator who has been responsive to my issues. She has consistently helped me but she is not part of my “care team”. My PCP office supplied the results of my MRI. I got the results of my Chest CT myself. The cancer center made plenty of excuses and each time I called I was told different things. I was told the doctor is busy, the nurse is busy, the clinic is busy, “we will relay the message”. Yet I waited and no call. I did finally receive a call but by then I had the results already! I have learned that patients with localized disease on surveillance often encounter issues regarding timely response times. I am also 5 months into this cancer experience so I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know what I don’t know! There was no clear education on their part regarding how to wait for results. I am learning as I go. I am under a great deal of stress. The cancer center added to that stress and I am not pleased! I am dealing with a potentially deadly outcome so for me the stakes are quite high. The cancer center will hear of my disappointment. Hopefully it will not be repeated! Hopefully other cancer patients won’t have to worry about getting their results in a timely fashion. We have enough to worry about!

@azkidney57 I am glad you got the results, even though you had to do things not expected. When I have been confronted by this type of lack-of-response to my quest for results, I also have complained. Do it in writing, and keep a copy. Address the complaint to the administrator of the center. A tactic that I found works well, is to ask the person to place themselves in your shoes, or how how would they want their sister/brother/elderly aunt treated? Would they be satisfied to hear that a relative had the same experience you had? I bet not! That has actually worked for me a few times, and generated an apology and change in methods. Like you said, you have enough on your plate right now. Learn to be your own advocate, and free yourself of as much stress as possible. Now, get out and breathe in fresh air!
Ginger

Thank you Ginger I will write a letter! I never thought of putting things in writing. Excellent suggestion. I am so grateful you are here to help! You are so very helpful. I love this site. Everyone is so helpful! It means so much to be validated! 😊