Dear X:
I am a 53 year-old female who completed a course of radiation therapy for breast cancer by Dr. X, located at the XYZ Hospital campus. After this treatment, my primary care physician ordered a dexa scan, which I had done at the end of last year.
Not only did the scan reveal oestopenia, but it also revealed full blown osteoporosis of my spine. Basically my spine is a now a fucking breadstick.
The treating radiation physician NEVER ordered a baseline dexa scan before radiation therapy and the ONLY counseling about the (oesto) side effects were, and I quote, “There might be some accelerated osteoporosis”. Hardly enough information to make an informed decision. Of course, it is possible that this condition may have existed before treatment, but without a baseline, there is no way to know. I believe that you, your legal team, and your doctors have conspired together to exclude this important test in the initial intake because it would provide the patient with something to compare with the final results.
Because now I am a goddam cripple and I can't prove it was caused by the radiation. But we all know it is. A spine doesn't turn into a Pixie-Stick all by itself in six weeks.
Your doctors need to provide their patients with a FULL AND COMPLETE written description of the spectrum of side effects/results of the radiation treatment with two at the bottom, then have the patient should then initial which choice s/he has made: "I have read and understand the risks of this treatment and consent to this treatment. And 2) "I have read and understood the risks of this treatment and decline to receive this treatment. SIMPLE. Make sure the patient understands what the worst possible scenario might be and let s/he decide, not some patronizing Dr. Ego who only views his patients at numbers and income generators. (At one consult with the M.D., he spent more time telling me about his satisfying and illustrious career and wine tasting activities then he did inquiring about my current condition.) I hope this ass-hat chokes on his "Torbeck 2009 Select".
When I was tattooed before the procedures, I asked the healthcare personnel how they may be removed. I was told: "They can just be lasered off." I repeated the question and was given the same response by another clinician. After treatment was completed I asked the MD when I can have them removed; he told me they were to remain permanently, and that only one of his patients had ever had them removed. He told me: "I'm sorry you were mis-informed." My response was: " Your staff either lied to me, or they don't know what the hell they're doing -- which is it?" His second response was the same as the first.
Finally, this doctor carpet bombed me with so much radiation so intensely that several weeks after I had the skin expander/implant switch, I developed Pyoderma Gangenosum--a differential diagnosis that took FIVE specialists to diagnose. And you can bet that none of them were affiliated with your fine Ivy League teaching hospital. I may never have another chance at breast reconstruction, you assholes.
And by the way, because of the treatment for PG, none of the tattoos are anywhere near where they were when they were placed. So yeah, they're coming off, jerk.
Your witch doctors had better learn to improve on INFORMING patients before they perform their voo-doo. But I strongly suspect that they will not do so, because your management has instructed them not to because some patients might actually not choose this treatment (which has aged my body at least 5 years) and it would affect your bottom line.
Should I ever have a recurrence of breast, or any cancer, you can be goddamn sure I will NEVER go back to XYZ Oncology Radiation for treatment. And I assure you that I will tell any and everyone who inquires about this physician to run, not walk, from this condescending, egotistical, “award-winning” peckerwood.
- And I am telling all my blog readers too, always always get a second opinion no matter how highly regarded this physician and/or hospital is just do it!
