My second opinion - 05-22-2003 03:45 PM
Went to the University of Pennsylvania today to see a surgical oncologist and find out if he will do a repeat biopsy, instead of going back to this "quack" in my area. He did a THOROUGH exam, having me put on a gown and checking all lymph nodes, not just my neck (he check armpits, groin, etc). I told he has given me by far the most attention yet, and that was good for me!! Anyway, since he is not an ENT, he cannot (or will not is a better term) rebiopsy my base of tounge lesion. He will however, send me to an ENT at U of P and see of he thinks it would be smarter to rebiopsy that lesion or have himself (the oncologist) remove the enlarged cervical (neck) lymph node for biopsy on that. Well, come to find out that the ENT's next appt. is not until June 26th. I was livid to say the least, but I told the scheduler "No" and that he wanted me to been seen within a week (which he did), so she said she'd have the doctor call my doctor (which is fine) and that she would see about a sooner appointment. Maybe they can decide over the phone, my best route of diagnosis, and I plan on calling them back tommorrow to follow-up. I signed the consent for the Lymph Node Removal/Biopsy (he said it was easier to do it now then come back into the city just to do that) and if the ENT has a problem scheduling or thinks it is better, all I will have to do is call him, and he will have me in very fast for a biopsy. So, I am now waiting for my insurance (aetna) to approve an MRI to see the nodes a little better and the lesion on my throat. Hope I can get this all taken care of by tommorrow. So, my saga for a diagnosis continues, but I am still smiling (despite this ridiculous time line of events) because I know that now, I am in good hands.......(atleast that is what I am telling myself )