Sorry for earlier post-not sure what happened

Last Feb I posted here about the extreme frustration caused by the incompetance of my Doctor's staff, and for most of the rest of the year (EASILY the worst of my life) we managed to get through it. Now, however, the incompetance has moved UP a level, and one of the team nurses and a pharmacist, that I met with at least twice (WITH my sister present, thanks to your advice)
We hammered out a treatment plan that includes Oxaliplatin IV, then 2 weeks of Xeloda orally twice day. The side effects are quite severe; the worst being the neuropathy in my hands and feet when cold. (did someone just grind out a cigarrette on my FOOT??!!) With 2 bouts of the coldest weather to hit Atlanta in 100 years timed perfecrly to give me the FULL range of the effects, I have NOT been the world's HAPPIEST camper! The tumor in my neck and upper left shoulder is still growing, but MUCH more slowly...but the dang things hurt like the DEVIL! (intermittantly) They had agreed to give me 6 10mg percocet a day to help deal with it. This was decided at the end of Dec and all went well for Jan. Come Feb, however, I was astonished to be given a prescription of 50 5mg percocets, which, at this point, are like tylenol to me. After some stomping and growling (AND kissy-face stuff, too!) I was given a prescription for 90 10mg percs that I took directly to the pharmacy; only to discover that they had called the pharmacy and ordered them to NOT fill that script! When I asked why, I was given no sufficient reason. I have placed repeated calls and NEITHER the NURSE NOR THE PHARMACIST WILL RETURN MY CALLS! This all happened on-you guessed it-the ANNIVERSARY of my diagnosis, 14 Feb. (One guess which is my LEAST favorite holiday!!) ;-)
I WAS able to get a script last week for 50 10mg oxycontin. So I'm thinking they probably want to change my pain med to that...? That would be fine, but STILL no one who can answer me authoritatively has returned my calls.
WHY ON EARTH should I have to play mind-reading games with this staff of so-called PROFESSIONALS at EMORY UNIVERSITY'S WINSHIP CANCER CENTER???!!!
I am absolutely DUMBFOUNDED! I CAN understand their concern for prescribing such a commonly abused drug, but why would this-or ANY- decision be made without MY input? I haven't EVER abused drugs, well, PILLS, anyhow...my drugs of choice back in the bad-ol'days of my teens, were always SMOKED. (gee, could THAT have anything to do with...NAAAA!!!)

I am scheduled to see the doc on Fri the 22nd before my infusion, and certainly don't want to start pointing fingers and raising my voice (as well as a little HELL!), but I want to clearly and fully explain my hurt, anger fear, and downright FRUSTRATION that I have experienced from these people since I was pronounced "terminal" My sister (who will NOT be present this week; my Dad got voted "most likely") thinks I get too angry too quickly and suggests a meek, mild approach. Actually, while I don';t plan on getting physical or anything, I feel that this anger is well-warrented and just MIGHT be playing a role in the fact that I keep on beating the odds! It may be my time soon, and if that is so, then so be it, but, DAMMIT! I'm NOT going to be experiencing bouts of EXCRUCIATING pain while waiting for that fateful day!

Am I wrong? Probably. Please post if you've had similar expiences or advice (good OR bad!) on how to best deal with this incredibly vexing recurring problem.



SCC right tonsil Dx 14 Feb 03
No surg till Apr 03
Lip resection Sep 05 "frankenface"
Recurr Apr 10
2/3 tongue removed Jun 10
SPEECH/SWALLOW/DROOL challenges FUN!
Dec 10 Tumor @ nodes/larynx/cart artery growing
Erbitux Mar 11 Hyoid bone regrows!?
recur Dec 12
begin taxo chemo
10yrs-still kickin!