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Off Topic :
Vague voicemail from doctor's office

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 tryingagain74 (original poster member #33698) posted at 11:30 PM on Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

I had an excision surgery performed on a mole two weeks ago. It was a surgery to take wider margins since the mole was one that could potentially turn into cancer if left there. When I went in for the follow-up last week, the doctor didn't have the results yet.

I got a message from the doctor's assistant yesterday (message didn't come through until this afternoon, thank you annoying cellphone) saying that I should call the office. She didn't say anything else, but of course, I'm reading into this and fearing the worst.

Are they always vague? If the assistant is calling you instead of the doctor, does that mean anything? I'm on pins and needles since I can't talk to her until tomorrow; I left a voicemail message today, and she wasn't in.

I don't know if you can reassure me. I just needed to put this out there because I'm freaked out.

FBS; now happily liberated!
Two DS and One DD
It matters not how strait the gate,/How charged with punishments the scroll./I am the master of my fate:/I am the captain of my soul.--"Invictus," William Ernest Henley

posts: 4079   ·   registered: Oct. 22nd, 2011
id 6560911
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GabyBaby ( member #26928) posted at 11:34 PM on Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Medical personnel cannot leave specific messages on voicemail because they dont know if the person listening is you. They can get in big trouble for doing that.

Just give them a call back and they will be able to be more specific.

Hopefully all is ok.

[This message edited by GabyBaby at 5:34 PM, November 13th (Wednesday)]

Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)

WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).

I edit often for clarity/typos.

posts: 10094   ·   registered: Dec. 26th, 2009   ·   location: Here and There
id 6560913
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sunandmoon ( member #10180) posted at 12:00 AM on Thursday, November 14th, 2013

What Gaby said!!! HIPPA laws are serious these days!!

(((trying)))

sunandmoon

posts: 1635   ·   registered: Mar. 25th, 2006
id 6560952
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tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 12:29 AM on Thursday, November 14th, 2013

HIPAA is responsible for more anxiety attacks and sleepless nights than any other thing in medicine.

Seriously. Whatever the outcome is it doesn't really matter I'd you get the info today tomorrow or next week. Hard to accept but true. I can tell you from working in an MD's office and dealing with cancer on a daily basis it wasn't usually the MA making the call if it was bad news. The Dr or myself his RN called them when it was bad news.

So I am going to prescribe a large glass of merlot and 2 Benadryl and when you wake up in the morning you will only have to wait a little while to get the call.

Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.

posts: 20380   ·   registered: Oct. 1st, 2008   ·   location: St. Louis
id 6560981
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 tryingagain74 (original poster member #33698) posted at 1:05 AM on Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Thank you-- I am ridiculous about anxiety. Rationally, I know that I've done everything that I can, followed doctor's orders, etc.

And yet... worry worry worry. But I really appreciate your responses.

FBS; now happily liberated!
Two DS and One DD
It matters not how strait the gate,/How charged with punishments the scroll./I am the master of my fate:/I am the captain of my soul.--"Invictus," William Ernest Henley

posts: 4079   ·   registered: Oct. 22nd, 2011
id 6561010
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purplejacket4 ( member #34262) posted at 2:11 AM on Thursday, November 14th, 2013

It just means to call them back for results. If you get a call to make a follow up appointment that's a bit more anxiety provoking.

Me: BS 50
Her: FWS 53 (both family med MDs; together 23 years)
OW: who cares (PhD)
Dday: 10/11: 11/11 TT for months; NC 8/12
Limboconsiliationish
"band aids don't fix bullet holes" Taylor Swift
I NEVER mind medical ???

posts: 3013   ·   registered: Dec. 20th, 2011   ·   location: Here
id 6561065
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jo2love ( member #31528) posted at 2:52 AM on Thursday, November 14th, 2013

I had the same thing happen a few years ago. They can't leave health info on voicemail. When I called back (after freaking out) they said that there were irregular cells that could turn into cancer, but they removed all of it. The Dr had me come into the office for a quick skin check 6mos later and then yearly after that.

Sending you healthy mojo.

posts: 51035   ·   registered: Mar. 16th, 2011
id 6561107
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 tryingagain74 (original poster member #33698) posted at 7:29 PM on Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Sigh. No return call today, so I called again. They gave me the number for a different office where she and the doctor are seeing patients today. I called, and she was busy. They said she'd try to call me back, but she probably won't be able to until five o'clock.

I know that everyone is busy, but it annoys me that there isn't ANYONE else who is allowed to read me the results. I even tried calling my dermatologist's office to see if she got the results, and she did-- but of course, her nurse/PA couldn't read them to me; it has to be someone from the other doctor's office.

Of course, that only heightened my anxiety-- she saw bad news! She's afraid to tell me! I know they're probably just following the required protocol, but it stinks that the protocol has to leave me in such an anxiety-ridden state while I wait for an answer.

FBS; now happily liberated!
Two DS and One DD
It matters not how strait the gate,/How charged with punishments the scroll./I am the master of my fate:/I am the captain of my soul.--"Invictus," William Ernest Henley

posts: 4079   ·   registered: Oct. 22nd, 2011
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jo2love ( member #31528) posted at 12:37 AM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

(((trying)))

Normally it needs to be the nurse or doctor that says the results. Sending you healthy mojo and fingers crossed that they call you early tomorrow.

posts: 51035   ·   registered: Mar. 16th, 2011
id 6562344
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 tryingagain74 (original poster member #33698) posted at 3:09 AM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

Thanks everyone-- got the "all clear" this afternoon!

FBS; now happily liberated!
Two DS and One DD
It matters not how strait the gate,/How charged with punishments the scroll./I am the master of my fate:/I am the captain of my soul.--"Invictus," William Ernest Henley

posts: 4079   ·   registered: Oct. 22nd, 2011
id 6562529
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courageous ( member #34477) posted at 3:16 AM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

That's great news!

Me: BW (in my 40's) Him: ExWH EA/PA with MOW coworker(also married). He ended up marrying his mistress.

posts: 880   ·   registered: Jan. 9th, 2012   ·   location: Texas
id 6562537
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caregiver9000 ( member #28622) posted at 3:18 AM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

oh, thank goodness!! I have been checking this thread. I hated waiting right along with you!

Glad it was "all clear." YAY!!!

Me: fortysomething, independent, happy,
XH "Stretch" (and Skew!) ;)
two kids, teens. Old enough I am truly NO CONTACT w/ NPD zebraduck
S 5/2010
D 12/2012

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id 6562541
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jo2love ( member #31528) posted at 5:58 PM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

Yay!!! Awesome update!

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suckstobeme ( member #30853) posted at 6:24 PM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

Excellent!!!!!!!! Breathe, have a big glass of wine and hug the kids. I'm glad you are 100% healthy!

BW - me
ExWH - "that one"
D - 2011
You get what you put in, and people get what they deserve.
Hard as it may be, try to never give the OP any of your power or head space.

posts: 4028   ·   registered: Jan. 17th, 2011
id 6563303
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lynnm1947 ( member #15300) posted at 7:14 PM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

Great news! Thanks for updating us. I was starting to get worried. I've gone through these things before. They're nerve-wracking.

Age: 64..ummmmmmm, no...............65....no...oh, hell born in 1947. You figure it out!

"I could have missed the pain, but I would have had to miss the dance." Garth Brooks

posts: 8765   ·   registered: Jul. 11th, 2007   ·   location: Toronto, Canada
id 6563355
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gypsybird87 ( member #39193) posted at 10:39 PM on Friday, November 15th, 2013

YAY!!

What awesome news! I'm so SO happy for you!

My turn now, I hope.

Me: Enjoying life
Him: Someone else's problem

Follow your heart, but take your brain with you. ~ Alfred Adler
Letting go of the outcome is about the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. ~ LosferWords

posts: 1857   ·   registered: May. 7th, 2013   ·   location: Oregon
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