TVUS tech - grrrr

[ireneo]

Today my daughter went in for her TVUS and saline test. The saline test was the hardest on her. Talk about cramping. Then when they told her to sit up, she threw up as well. She's still feeling shaky. So the tech is doing the TVUS and trying to point things out to her. Looks like she has a 5 cm hemorrhagic cyst on the left ovary. Her uterus is thick and irregular. The tech was saying, "Hmm, look at that right there. Wonder what that is? This area could be of some concern." I'm thinking, if you don't have the facts, just shut up. So now she's worried and doesn't know what's going on in there. She's supposed to take Provera for awhile then go back in May for a follow-up test. They may have to do a D&C. She's not very happy. She'll be 28 this year and was hoping to start a family. Now that's postponed or worse.

Anyway, just wanted to complain a little about talky techs.

[silver&gold]

Hi ,
I can relate to those techs that put the fear into you with their oh wonder what that is, I remember when that happened to me and I asked what do you think it is ?I was met with the reply, oh im not allowed to tell you !!. I wish they would use an ounce of intelligence to realise that people are often nervous and if like me hang on to every word thats said .
  
Hope everything works out ok for your daughter .

Angie

[SimplyStar]

You do not have to deal with the tech. All reports Must come from the radiologist. His job is to read and interpet the findings and send on the report to your doctor. any irregularities in the techs behavior should be reported to the radiology dept.  I read a survey recently about radiology and Lab reports, 30% were reported wrong.  the fault lays in undertrained personel, pap smears were the worst with 40% wrong findings.  We use an independent lab for all blood work, more experienced, and we have all xrays and scans done outside the hospital when ever possible.  When she gets the reports on the tests run today, make sure she has someone with her to take notes. Get her questions answered and explained completely.  Good Luck  Marty

[ireneo]

Thanks for letting me grumble. This is the first time she's been to this clinic/doctor, etc. since she's been married. New insurance and all. I asked when she would get the results and she didn't know. Just that she has another appt. on 19 May. In the meantime it's just take the Provera, come back later. I don't know how that clinic works. I'm wondering too if the uterus looked fat and irregular because the ultrasound was done just 2 days before her period. That would be a shame to scare her over something that's normal. Guess we'll wait and see. She was feeling so sick from the saline business that she probably missed some information.

[kimmywah]

Sorry that your daughter had to go through this.  It is scary enough going and getting tests done without someone making stupid comments.  I know what that is like as when I had my first u/s the tech was saying all sorts of worrying things.  
They are not doctors or radiologists or specialists, so they should just say nothing or at least be trained to be 'reassuring' even if they do spot something odd.
I am sure you are right about the uterus looking fat because she is due for her period.  
We have a place in NZ (health and disability commissioner) where you can make complaints or report medical staff, and i'm sure you do in the States.  The problem is nobody ever hardly complains.  we just listen to whatever they say and then spend a month worrying!!!  
I know everything will be fine for your daughter.....love and prayers to you both.

Peace....Kim

[Shari4444]

Dear Irene,

I'm sorry for everything your daughter had to endure today. I don't understand why the technicians feel the need to interpret the tests. I believe that it may even be unlawful for them to do such. I don't think they realize how we all hang on their every word for hope and reassurance. Then, to get the opposite, form them, is BEYOND wrong!!!! You may want to mention the technicians behavior to his/her superior. I know, we all hate to get someone "in trouble", but she could cause real damage if someone took her/his word for it and never went back to the doctor (when it was cancerous) just because SHE/HE said everything looked okay! At the very least, they could preface their "take" on the images with,"of course I am NOT trained to read this, but.....". Anyway, I've gone on enough (I guess you can tell I've had an overly chatty tech before, myself). I'll be thinking about and remembering, in my prayers your daughter and you. Good luck.

Hugs,
Shari

[ireneo]

Thank you all for understanding my rant. It's not even my body this time but my daughter's. Of course that's pretty close. Now she's waiting till May and I'm waiting with her. Seems like I've been through this before LOL. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I'm sure I'll be yakking about it again next month. Take care everyone.

[cirella]

Hi Irene,
Well, I agree.  They should keep their mouth shut.  I honestly don't think they even think that there is a REAL person on that table.  Of course you are worried for your daughter.  What mother wouldn't be?  I hope and pray that all looks better next month.  She is so young and this must be so hard for her.

Take care and hugs,
Lori

[Sandymac]

I've had the same type of thing happen to me and it's inexcusable. Mine was re: mammogram, Surgeon had even scheduled biopsy and they couldn't find anything! I was told to have another look see in 6 months..My Gyn was fully informed of all of this.
Then out of the blue the tech called and kept insisting I make an appt with my Gyn.. She had me doubting everyone !! I called the surgeon and he was just beside himself with the words "For God's sake, she's a TECHNICIAN.. she shouldn't even be talking to you".. All of this to say, I can certainly relate..
And it is your daughter..  I don't know how you could not be worried!! Some of these medical (?) people are so insensitive to say the least.. But, in any event, I'll surely be thinking of you and your daughter.. All my best wishes for better times,
Sandy

[Jan214]

I am so sorry you have to go through this worry and fear and what your daughter had to endure is outrageous.  Out techs here in Tn aren't allowed by law to tell us ANYTHING.  They can't even make facial expressions of any kind that might be read one way or another.  I don't even ask anymore cause I know they won't tell me anything and I know that is for the best.
You and yours will of course be in our prayers and Cory and I wish your daughter the best of luck for the outcome of these tests.  Remember, those people are techs and altough they have seen a lot of stuff they are not radiologists who have seen a lot of stuff and know how to interpret it.  Take care and keep strong.
Love,
Jan

[SimplyStar]

I am still outraged at this tech saying anything to you.  I am forbidden by law to even offer  anything except first aide at an accident scene,  I cannot offer any suggestions  on a medical treatment to a patient under the care of a physcian except to say "this is my opinion only" and that always applys to any patient in a hospital. I am not allowed to give even an aspirin to anyone  other than my family.  I can be sued for any of these infractions and my license revoked.   I have stood nose to nose a few times with doctors, questioning an order given, thank God I was always backed up by my superiors and vindicated.  If this should ever happen again with a tech, ask to see her superior and report it.  marty

[ireneo]

I guess the tech was trying to make things interesting by explaining what was seen on the screen. Yeah, like anyone can understand all those gray streaks? I remember looking at the screen during my TVUS (hoping to distract myself from the probe) but it just looked like terrible TV reception.

I tend to be overly optimistic at times and make up excuses for things. Like her uterus is fat and irregular because her period was due. Not sure if that's even factual but it's what I run through my mind. As for the cyst, I know they deflate sometimes so I hang on to that. I've had practice with optimism because of my goofy heart. I just think - it's fine, it'll settle down soon, it always does. So I'm good at ignoring it.

I'll talk to her about the tech's comments and whether she wants to mention it to the doctor. But she's a pretty non-confrontational person. We'll get through this and it will probably turn out just fine (says me from Happyville).