My oral surgeon scheduled me for a follow up appointment from my biopsy at a week (would have been a Friday) but then he called me on Tuesday and gave me the news over the phone like it was no big deal and just another day on the job. I'm still a little bitter about the whole thing, but I've mostly moved on. Now, we won't discuss the phone call I received from my dentist after he found out the results. Lets just say if we ever meet in public, we will have words.

Good luck with your biopsy!!!!!!!!!

Be thankful you got the results!

Some won't do it over the phone and make you wait to see them in the office -- Personally I would rather get it bluntly now than gently later -- I've been fortunate enough to have both timely and caring Docs in this regard, but the manner of delivery is just not as important as the message itself IMHO.

I think that with some things the delivery does not change the message. Probably where the saying "don't shoot the messenger came from".

Patty

Oh mine turned into drama. After a couple of months of antibiotics and begging for tests, I finally got a CT scan and some blood tests. Apparently the results made me the �Property� of a different doctor than my GP, who had ordered the tests. It turns out that the ENT was on vacation for a few weeks and the decision was made to wait for his return before addressing the issue, including giving me the news.

My GP broke protocol and gave me a call from home late Friday night; he was really upset about the bad news and the handling. Since this really was no surprise to me, he was taking the news way worse than I was. We had a long conversation that night and I learned very quickly that he really wasn�t up to speed on the TX. He didn�t feel it was right to let me wonder for another month and took a great deal of professional heat for telling me the way he did. I still owe him a big favor.

Those extra weeks gave me a ton of time to do more general research, be a little better informed, prepare my wife and have some of my very best ornery ready. I refused to let them "puncture" (needle biopsy) that massive node and spread C cells, telling them that if they �wanted to play with it, they could take it out first� As a result I already had the worst of the surgery over with before learning the cell type.

I suppose that the medical people will have the same reactions and defenses that anyone would. Cold and distant, avoidance, compassionate and helpful, as much as they see this stuff, getting too deeply involved would be damaging.

As difficult an idea as it is, perhaps we need to work at helping them cope with watching this happen to us, just like we have to with our families and friends.

Being informed, opinionated, ornery and fun,

UncleVern

I am glad that I didn't have to go to another doctors appointment just to get the results, but man, over the phone? I don't know, I didn't think doctors would ever give out information over the phone. My ENT is very strict with information and it all has to be done in person, which I'm okay with. She won't even tell you if it is good or bad news. Now, for my dentist. The day I had received my kick in the shins from my oral surgeon, my dentist decided to give me a call to I guess offer his condolences. Anyway, I answer the phone and he says who he is, and then says that he is sorry that I have cancer but that he had been right all along, and had told me so. So I responded, well thank you very much, bye. Hello?!?! I'm 23 with cancer, thanks for the kind words. Ack, some people need to learn some tact.

Oh I think that phone call was the hardest thing the guy ever did and the kindest thing anyone ever did for me. Really I think waiting another month would have been much worse and created a rushed chaotic situation.
As it was the time was well used to get my affairs in order as well as students, staff and family prepared. Having that time meant the difference between being jobless, homeless and a burden on the community and saving my home, career and life�s work.
There is a special place in heaven for those who are valiant enough to put themselves at risk to do what is right like he did, he is my hero and my champion!

UncleVern

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I guess it really varies in how the delivery is made, and for the delivery to be received! My heart just breaks every time I think of those dealing with these issues. If, and it's a big if, I get bad news, I think I fear telling my children the most. They are already dealing with a ton with Dad gone! But, there's still time between now and then....and now, I'm just keeping them as busy as I can with their soccer passion.

Thanks again, this is so helpful!

CC

It may even take longer than a week.

I always know our results way before the doctor's visit. I don't like blunt surprises. Example: A day or two after a catscan, I will call the the office that did the procedure and tell them that i will be picking up the written report. They have it ready for me.(It's my property) That way I can review it, cry or be happy with the results and then see the oncologist on our next appointment. This way, I have all the information digested before we see the Doctor. Our doctor is rather brutal when giving out bad information---she just blurts out whatever she has to say. It gives me time to prepare myself. I will never forget the day she told Jim that he only "had a year to live, perhaps ! Needless to say, I fainted right there in the office. --- Claudia

CC,

Your doctor should be able to tell you how long it will take to get the biopsy back. I had mine done on on a Friday and the results (faxed) were in my office by the following Tuesday. All labs are different, but the average is about a week.

Good luck.

Jerry