Guest DeeHee Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 5 Months after surgery I just found out they removed at least one rib and maybe a partial and that I have compression factures on two of my thorasic vertebra. No wonder I still have pain in my back! They just kept saying "It takes time." How was I supposed to know to ask that kind of question? Back brace and stronger pain pills are an option now and I'm somewhat relieved after the MRI and bone scan that the cancer hasn't spread into the bone. My imagination was running wild. Anyone else face these problems and what did you do physically to solve them? Brace? Tough it out? Does it get better? Honestly ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted July 30, 2004 Share Posted July 30, 2004 Sorry I am no help here-Do whatever it takes to decrease the pain. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted July 31, 2004 Share Posted July 31, 2004 They never told you?!?! What a shock! I am so sorry... Hearing things like that upset me so. I am greatly relieved to hear that your cancer has not spread to the bone, however. I wish I had knoweldge about your specific situation. Keep us posted on how you are faring. Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I think this is pretty typical. I've spoken with several people who have had surgery and found that they were pretty "clueless" about what they would do and what types of pain, decreased activity etc. that they may have after surgery. I had two thoracotamys (sp?) and I was never told any details about breaking the ribs, the wires to hold them in place etc. Then when I had my pneumonectomy I knew to ask a few extra questions (some of the difference was in the hospital I went to as well) but I didn't realize that they would need to remove part of my rib, that they would need to rebreak my ribs again, also dislocate my shoulder! along with all the unique things that come with the loss of the left lung like the heart shifting, the internal organs moving up and just the lingering pain. I know they don't want to scare you before surgery but after it's over they really should say "this is what we did, this is the position you were in during surgery so your back may hurt now etc". I've found out so much information now just out of coincidence that I really wish I would have known about in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I think this is pretty typical. I've spoken with several people who have had surgery and found that they were pretty "clueless" about what they would do and what types of pain, decreased activity etc. that they may have after surgery. This is called "informed consent" and you're supposed to give it before they do surgery. It's actually illegal to perform surgery without it, but unfortunately, of the number of surgeries done in the U.S. every day, I'd bet at least half of them are done without it. My dad was a doctor, and I worked in the health care field for many years, so I at least learned to ask a LOT of questions and I do -- each and every time. I can't say this is true of every doctor and every situation, but all too often I think they don't want a patient to know everything or s/he wouldn't consent to the procedure. I don't necessarily think it's all about money either, but the enormous ego that many surgeons have, and the fact that they (as do other specialists) sometimes think they are all-powerful. Again, the disclaimer -- I don't think this is true of the vast majority of care providers, and it's purely my opinion based on my own experiences. Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresag Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Ditto Diane's words. The dr. should be willing to give you all the info you want. Some people want very little, but those who want the details should be offered them. This kind of medical practice is not malicious, IMO, just sloppy practice. Have you considered asking the dr. why you weren't offered this information? I'd suggest also asking why the compression fractures; this is not a usual part of a thoracotomy in my experience. If something did not go as planned, as it sometimes does in surgery, they should be honest with you about it. Maybe they had a particularly difficult time getting to the area. I believe pts. would be a lot less likely to sue physicians if they were more honest about complications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Um, Dee, I don't mean to sound ignorant here...but I would think that they would mention items they removed from you. Really...I would...I mean, I wouldn't WANT a blow-by-blow, slice-by-slice description of the surgery, but removing parts or breaking bones or metal devices in the body (question on MRI pre-auth) I would think would be shared... But don't ask me, I'm a blonde with a melting brain... I'm with you on this one, STUMPED! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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