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What would you do if this happened to you?
I had a hemi-thyroidectomy in Nov 2010 and I was told that it was a benign follicular adenoma. I am still suffering with thyroid symptoms. Here it is 7 months later and I receive a letter from the hospital yesterday asking me to place myself on the CANCER registry...yes cancer registry. So I didn't immediately go into freak out mode. I put the letter on the bookshelf and carried on with my day. I began to think maybe they gave me the wrong results and I do have cancer and I am not being treated. We this afternoon a hospital representative called me with a shaky voice and profusely apologizing. She started her phone call with "Have you received a letter from the hospital?" I told her yes and asked what was going on. She said that they went over my pathology a second time and it was clear that I DID NOT have cancer and that she was very sorry that I received the letter. My ENT wasn't very thrilled and the woman asked me if there was anything that she could offer me to put my mind at ease. They are going to do a follow-up call when it's resolved, but like I said I got a personal phone call from the ENT reassuring me that I don't have cancer. What would you have done? I feel kind of like I lost a bit of respect for this hospital. Now, I feel like I should have some additional testing done because I am still feeling horrible and all of the doctors I have seen can't see anything wrong. =(
Best Answer
If this happened to me I guess I would take the apology and move on, BUT that is just me. People make mistakes, it happens.
I definitely wasn't a happy camper at all. I did receive a copy of the pathology report from my physician. My physician reassured me that it wasn't cancerous, so I am glad to hear him go over the results and restate this to me in person. I think that I have lost a bit of confidence in this hospital, but definitely next time I deal with this hospital I will be extra cautious.
Oh my gosh! I can't believe they sent you that letter when you didn't have cancer...and then to ring and ask if there's "anything she could offer me to put my mind at ease"...I woulda said "yeah, get educated on how to NOT send the wrong info to the wrong patient"!! LOL...I would have lost alot of respect for the hospital and the people who work there (not that I have much respect left for most doctors anyway!!)
I hope it all gets resolved soon and your mind put at ease!! :)
I hope it all gets resolved soon and your mind put at ease!! :)
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I am sure the hospital will in some way either change the way they do things or at least give you a free McDonald's voucher ( I say that in a joking way, of course!)
Now as for YOUR emotional state; YES, you are going to feel that niggling "What if they're right?" doubt. Most of us would be thinking that way, and then going ahead and seeing if we have anything wrong. Personally, I would be asking for the pathology report of your surgery, and you have every right to it. I am a stickler for saying, 'I want a copy of that please.' The law in USA, UK and Australia (not sure about the others!) state you have the right to your medical information at the time of consultation and limited time beyond. So go get the pathology report, that is the only way you will know 100% that it was correct.
I am sure it has been something that has shaken you up, but you can be in charge of this!