DISQUS

mark_hayward · 1 year ago

Hi Ann - really happy to hear that your skin cancer was not melanoma and that all will be okay! The state of health care in America is, for lack of a better word, sad. I was trying to think...would it have been better if your doctor at least sent you an email or Twitter DM? I don't think so.

Toby · 1 year ago

Ann - my 2 cents .. no matter that it was the whimpy kinda cancer (thankfully), it was also whimpy of the doc not to inform at by a call from the office nurse.

btw .. thinking you're setting a new style with toast photos. perhaps next one might be a bagel?

Natanya Anderson · 1 year ago

Ann - I think many of us are aware that health care just isn't right, but this post helps put a finger (or possibly a fat purple circle) on exactly why it's not right. True patient care is being overshadowed and in many cases pushed right out the door in favor of administrivia and bureaucracy. In many cases those who know virtually nothing about patient care are not only influencing it but dictating it. I'm not exactly sure what action I will take yet, but you've certainly got me thinking.

Oh, and I second Mark's happiness for your prognosis. So glad you're okay.

Gary Cohen · 1 year ago

Still traumatic and glad you are okay. I wonder if the postcard is any more personal, engaged or connected than an email, voicemail, twitter etc.? We hear stories about doctors not having a good bedside manner and not knowing how to speak with people. I know it is not all of them. I fear that our disconnected connectedness may make it easier and more accepted when people do not truly engage e.g. postcards and electronic messages in situations like yours. I have to say I am appalled at how you were told.

BL Ochman · 1 year ago

Glad to know that nasty little thing is basal cell and not worse. but it's your nose and i'd rather that it have none of the above.

and jeez, any doctor who sends you a postcard to tell you that you have cancer is a pretty heartless SOB.

I do hope you'll print out this post for everyone involved.

Jan Richards · 1 year ago

Thanks for another thought-provoker - and so glad you are OK.

A very interesting way to summarize modern health care...bad news delivered by postcard and checkoff box, checked off.

I must admit, even with the seriousness of the subject, I did laugh out loud at this part:
"Then, as I sat across from the surgeon and his partner and discussed the surgical procedure with a fat purple circle on my face, finally one of them, sensing my humiliation, would lean over and wash it away with an alcohol wipe, like I was a preschooler with some jam left on her face from snack time."

Gina · 1 year ago

Wow, if this isn't a treatise on the abysmal state of our healthcare system -- nevermind our society -- I don't know what is. Thanks for being so entertaining in delivering the message!

Steve Woodruff · 1 year ago

"The one you want" - never in a thousand years would I have dreamed that any cancer would be described in those four words. Thank you for writing about a not-very-fun topic in a human and touching way. I'll be expecting you to wear a huge floppy hat and to smell like coconut oil while you're in AZ this week (seriously, glad you're OK and don't stop giving us these wonderful nuggets!)

Margie Zable Fisher · 1 year ago

um - the doctor who sent a postcard re: your cancer should be outed - that's one of the crummiest things I've ever heard

great post

Five Husbands · 1 year ago

I think this post should be required reading for all health care providers. Thank you for sharing.

Jessca · 1 year ago

Doesn't that violate some patient right privileges since anyone could have seen it?

Amy · 1 year ago

I don't care how minor and unaggressive teh cancer was, sending a postcard is beyond ridiculous.

Joel Libava · 1 year ago

Ann,
I, too, am glad to hear that your pimple like object is a mini form of Cancer.
But a postcard? Tacky!
Joel Libava

Karen Swim · 1 year ago

Ann, I am so glad that it was not melanoma and that you are okay. However, as you said when it happens to you....I worked in healthcare for more than two decades and grew up in a house with a mom who was a nurse. I have spent more time in hospitals and doctor's offices than in my own home. I am appalled at the postcard system. While in medical terms, it was good news have we forgotten that patients are people and that same diagnosis efficiently dispatched by mail may have sent another person over the edge.

Kristen Hamilton · 1 year ago

I had the same reaction as Jessica - that has to be a major HIPPA violation.
As always your post was insightful, entertaining, and thought provoking. Keep up the great work!

Samer Forzley · 1 year ago

Wow Ann a post card. I thought my friends story took the cake, but this one is up there. My friend went in for scheduled back surgery, went under, actually went under, and then got bumped last minute because of an emergency operation (which is understandable). When he woke up in recovery, he was told that the operation was not complete because of the emergency and the doctors shift was over and went home. Can you believe that, sorry my shift is over, i am outta here.

Bdot · 1 year ago

Back in the late 80's I was getting some blood work done, and asked the doctor while you're at it could you check for VD.....I got a postcard, stating the VD results were normal......to this day I wondered if it was normal for a 30 something guy to have it or not......still wondering.

Jeff Sass · 1 year ago

Ann, very glad you are well. More glad you continue to write and share with the rest of us A N N A R C H I S T S ! ;-) You touch on so many important issues here, and healthcare is just the tip of the iceberg. I am old enough to remember the doctor COMING TO OUR HOUSE (Queens Apartment) if I was "under the weather" as a child. Dr. Reiman (I even can recall his name) had an office down the block and around the corner and would regularly make house calls in our apartment building. He was accountable to US, and he knew every kid in the neighborhood by name, as we were all his patients. Imagine that today...the makings of fiction. LOL. Stay well!
-Jeff

Larissa Gaston · 1 year ago

Ann, glad your cancer was ‘the good kind to have’, but I think cancer, no matter how non-aggressive, deserves more than a postcard. The comfort we find telling ourselves that “our doctor must not think this is any big deal, I’ll be fine” is a ruse. It’s just a coping mechanism for dealing with the un-dealable. I guarantee the doctor didn’t think two seconds about how sending the postcard would make you feel.

A friend of mine was just telling me yesterday how he went to see a doctor who didn’t take his hand off the doorknob for the entire visit, then left abruptly before my friend was able to get a word out. My friend went to find the doctor and told him, “before you continue with the rest of your day, I just want you to envision yourself holding on to the doorknob the entire time you’re with a patient and what that signals to them.” The doctor proceeded to rant about the stress he’s under, insurance costs, how he’s making less money this year, has to fit in more patients to pay for private school, etc. Not sure he got the point. We’re all under stress – if you’re a doctor, your job requires human interaction – so be human.

Shannon Paul · 1 year ago

I'm also very glad that your cancer was the pipsqueak variety, although I agree with the others that a postcard is a bit insensitive and slow to arrive. I mean jeez, what is that like 3rd class mail?

A few years ago, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer -- the most aggressive kind. Anyway, they pushed chemo on her so quickly that, to her, it seemed like she was putting her life on the line without radical intervention right away.

However, they turned out to be wrong. She had cancer, but a different kind that didn't warrant the chemo. We found out after she had already received the first round, which, in her case, was enough to make her lose all her hair.

I guess this is a bit of an opposite experience, except for the underlying insensitivity. In both cases they were beholden to procedure and liability rather than humanity. In my mother's case, they even recommended against letting her a night at home away from the hospital (she had already been there for 3 days) to make a decision.

I think in both instances, big cancer/little cancer, a little humanity would have been nice.

vickivanv · 1 year ago

Gad, I'm sorry you're having to go through this, even if it's the pipsqueak variety! I hope they at least actually call a patient if they suspect something serious!

I've been pretty lucky with my doctors so far--their systems seem to have some level of caring and personal attention built in. This is a good reminder to never take those factors for granted. Slather on that sunscreen and take care of yourself, girl!

David Reich · 1 year ago

Glad you're ok Ann. But I can't believe that doctor sends a postcard with that news. What if you had questions or you didn't know basel cell is relatively not so bad.

I'd switch doctors right away, for starters.

Ann Handley · 1 year ago

Thanks for all the feedback here, all. Interestingly -- I didn't think about whether it violates HIPPA. But in theory the US Postal Service (or at least my mail carrier) knew before I did. Which is kinda weird.

And JeffreySass : I love "Annarchists." Must. Print. T-Shirts: "Are you an Annarchist?" What do you think?

Jane Chin · 1 year ago

Physician bedside manners have been an issue long before healthcare became the transactional business it has become, although the current environment certainly exacerbates poor physician-patient communication.

I thought it was ludicrous to send you a postcard about your biopsy results, and I bet there's a case for HIPAA here. I can't even stand in the same area as another pharmacy customer lest I hear about what meds they're getting.

GirlPie · 1 year ago

Glad to find your great writing via Chris Brogan, and LOVED the tale and what it raises. DON'T love the privacy issue being ignored by your Doctor's Office -- for shame! Your poor mailman must be worrying too!

Martha Retallick · 1 year ago

Oh, does this story get me going.

This past Monday, I went to see my dermatologist for an annual exam. He removed a mole and sent it out for lab tests. He didn't sound too concerned about it, but you can bet that I am.

But he said that I'd be called if the news was bad and sent a letter if they news was good.

Before I left the exam room, I noticed that the bill said that the fee would be $93. I'm a self-employed person with one of those high-deductible policies that requires that you burn through thousands of dollars before it kicks in. (And that's another rant.)

When I arrived at the front desk to settle the bill, I was told that I would have to pay a $250 deposit. I was floored. I told them that I wasn't anticipating that the bill would be that high.

I've been waiting for an out-of-state check to reimburse me for an airline reservation that I'd made earlier in the month. And the check hadn't arrived yet. I told them about the wait for the check, and asked if they could bill me so I could settle up next week.

"We. Don't. Bill." the lady said. And she put special emphasis on the word "bill." Like it was one of *those* four-letter words.

I pleaded my cause further. I noted that I'd been seeing this particular doctor for 16 years, and couldn't we work something out? I mean, come on. Giving me the opportunity to settle this bill after the check came would have been very nice.

Nope.

They got my credit card, and, after several tries, they dinged it for $100. (Most of what's on that card right now is the payment for that airfare.)

In addition to Monday's encounter, something else has been troubling me about that doctor's practice. Over the years, it has taken on more of a cosmetic orientation.

While I was in the waiting room on Monday, I couldn't miss seeing the promotional pieces touting some procedure that would soften those wrinkles before that all-important Holiday Party Season.

As someone who has to see a dermatologist for health reasons, I find this focus more than a little offensive. But it explains why I was treated so coldly at the checkout desk. I'm obviously not part of this practice's target market.

And once I settle the rest of this doctor's bill, I'm taking my business elsewhere.

Renee Fellows · 1 year ago

Ann - so glad that you're going to be OK! How scary and the story you tell is all too real. I think the doctors forget that they are looking at a living, breathing person in front of them (which may make me feel a little better about my OB/GYN appointments). I'm sure we all have our fair share of physician horror stories, but that postcard has GOT to be a HIPPA violation. Honestly, they worry about what line you stand in to check into the practice so you can't be 'overheard,' but they share your deepest test results with Kevin the Mailman?
Oh, I'm feeling another political pundit coming on...
Renee

Marcia Harris · 1 year ago

Ann,
I loved your presentation of your situation and being in the business of health care, I am appalled by both the privacy issue and the insensitivity.
Many of the comments center around this issue being primarily insurance and administratively driven. I would be remiss not to say that frivolous litigation has damaged the health care system in more ways than either of the above. If only we had a cap on what trial lawyers could make, the need to see more and more patients and the increased paperwork burning out providers would be greatly reduced.

rickey gold · 1 year ago

The good news is that you're ok! The postcard notification is pathetic. We're losing those
elements that make us caring, social human beings.
Except for bloggers that is!

Deb · 1 year ago

Just a quick one (like the actual amount of time the dr actually spends with you during your exam) to let you know my business uses postcards but in a positive way...every customer gets at least one thanking them for their business. I dont think anything personal like health issues should come on one. Some mail carriers are very gossipy so I give them something nice to think about.
Deb

Michael Goodman · 1 year ago

I've been enjoying your blog very much. You're a great writer and have interesting insights on a wide range of topics. Glad your cancer scare is under control and that you're able to put the whole thing in perspective. Thanks for sharing what's on your mind.

Julie · 1 year ago

Ann, how did the respackling of your nose go? I had one removed when I was 28 -- couldn't believe how much skin they take. It's always fun to walk around with stitches on your face too, lets you work in those domestic violence jokes.

Amber Naslund · 1 year ago

Ok, everyone else has said most of everything, so I'm just going to sum up my thoughts with:

a) Thanks again for sharing your stories in such an eloquent, hilarious, and touching manner.

b) WTF is wrong with people?

So glad all is well, but seriously. What a bunch of clownpunchers.

C.B. Whittemore · 1 year ago

I like your son's comment. Glad you issued your cancer a pink slip!

There's so much room and need for humanity to return to our institutions. We are the only ones who can make it happen b/c the institutions don't know how. I'm hoping that this election will set the stage for more power to the people - via social media... or postcards.

Robin Ogden · 1 year ago

Ann,

Love! your writing style - hard to believe that I could be lol while reading about the sorry state of our health care system and such a down right 'cold' way to inform someone of cancer.

I too get postcards and emails regarding my health care visits, but cannot believe that this is the way one would be informed about something as scary as cancer! What were they thinking?

Glad you're ok and also glad I found your blog because I really enjoy your writing style.

Thanks,
Robin Ogden
http://www.firedupcareers.com

Gill · 1 year ago

I can relate to what you went through in terms of discovering an uninvited squatter in the body or in your case on the body. Glad it was low grade.
I kind of like the postcard approach in the absence of a medical system with the luxury of time to call you in for an appointment and tell you your test results. At least know what the answer is rather than having to hassle to get the results and then wait for ever for an appointment (at least here in Montreal its like that).
Glad too that you have a sense of humour - I kind of think its the only way to go on things like this.

Long may you be free of uninvted guests !

Jen DelMonaco · 1 year ago

YIKES can't believe I missed this! Glad you and your mug will survive!!

Janet Petrine · 1 year ago

You need to write something long and edible. Your voice is excellent, compelling. Write us a book.