Just got a call from my urologist Dr. Christopher Wood’s scheduling nurse. We are to report to the Interventional Radiology department at M. D. Anderson on the 4th floor of the Mays Clinic at 8:30 a.m. in the morning. This meeting is to get set up for a needle biopsy of the tumor in my left adrenal gland. That will be done on Wednesday, July 25.
That means we’ll be able to make our appointment with Dr. Lance Pagliaro, our genitourinary medical oncologist on Monday at 1 p.m. I’ve got some serious questions for him. The most important question is why the hell would he schedule a CT scan without contrast (in advance of a surgical consultation with a surgeon who said the scan was worthless to him to determine what he needed to see to do a surgery that would include finding out what is going on with Strainer).
I could have not been clearer when I stressed that the reason we came out here was to deal with the adrenal gland tumor AND TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY KIDNEY. Yet, we were at this hospital until 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening and spent God only knows how much money for a scan that might as well have been done by our new cat and she doesn’t even need to be plugged in. This kind of stuff just makes me angry. Really angry. There will be a new can of whupass opened up on Monday afternoon.
Dr. Pagliaro is the one that is going to have to get sprayed with it. I’m choosing him, because no matter what happens he won’t be cutting me open. Plus, he is a wheel chair and if it turns into a race, I think I can win. (Grandin, is there some kind of a turbo thing that he might have on his chair that could take me in a race?)
As far as the cutting doctor, I plan to be nice to him.
Carol Wingard says
I am all for the ass-kicking of Dr. P. and ass-kissing of the surgeon. Same thing happened to Frankie – in that when we got him to Emory, they said the CT without contrast was worthless to them. You would think MD Anderson would know that also! Thinking of you both.
Betsy Lawrence says
Glad you got scheduled for tomorrow. Praying!
Carol Ann says
Hugs and prayers sent! I have temazapam if needed.
Dianne Henry says
Just how bigga ol’ boy are you???
Big enough for a 55 gallon drum of whupass!!
Thank you, Roy D. Mercer.
Prayers and love,
Di and Johnny
Brenda French says
Now that you have that out of your system….let’s think about it. Will it do any good to cus, fus and spray the guy. No not now. So instead how about turning this into a positive experience and soak in some good vibes before your biopsy. I am going to recommend some comedies for your viewing pleasure….anything that has the name Madea in it….Carol Burnett, Tim Conway are no brainers. Whatever type of comedy you like go find some and have a few laughs before your next doctor visit.
http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2005-10-16/online-extra-the-laughter-cure
Janet Torrance says
I would not want to be Dr. Lance Pagliaro come Monday. Don’t suppose his hand-writing was illegible? It just makes you wonder how a mistake like this could happen. It is not like you were his first patient. You and Jill are in my prayers.
Rachel Crumbley says
Today I received an email about a post – first in a long time. Praying for y’all. Travel safe.
Teresa Holland says
I, too, received an email notification about a post, for the first time in a very long time. I have been keeping you in my prayers.
Callie says
You don’t need a can of Whupass, I’ll just overnight Killer Sr. to you. I’m telling you, that oversized sock monkey would make anyone take pause. I don’t care how renowned the doctor! Be sure to tell the doc that your kidney is not just any kidney. How many kidneys have had a naming contest in their honor? Your kidney is THE Strainer, a.k.a. Onli Wan KidOney. He deserves rock star treatment!
May the force be with you!
Callie
PS Rush got an email alert today for the first time in forever, too.
Eddie and Nancy Reid says
We agree with Brenda,very good advice, You should ask your questions, but please keep a calm disposition.
You are in our thoughts and prayers as always and we know that our God is with you. We will will pray a special prayer for you Sunday at St. Matthews.
Clark and Barbara Gillett says
We’re one of the folks who missed out on the earlier messages. Sorry to learn of the new met, but glad to be back on board. Remember to be nice to ALL your doctors- you never know when the ass you kick today will be the ass you need to kiss tomorrow. You want him to be feeling good thoughts about you as he is calculating your chemo doses.
Anyway- best wishes and all our prayers are with you both/
Tom Lenard says
There you go Mike! Give’em hell!! Medical folks…especially, the assistants and preparatory folks need to have their thinking caps on.. I mean…I’d be thinking, hell, Am I the first patient of this sort coming through this facility!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very damn unprofessional!!! They should be more concerned about the patients that visit them and making sure there’s the absolute least bit of wait time…and to be sure – damn sure, that the requesed treatment or test ordered is the precise one needed…In other words, looks to Me like the different offices there are not in sync…
Just saying!!!
Grandin Eakle says
Mike….. No turbo devices that can’t be negated with a broom handle through the spokes of his wheels…… Plus…. Broom sticks work good for applying whupass.!!!!
Chuck Cumiskey says
I’m with Brenda… right now, just laugh your ass off every chance you get. It’s always a good medicine. Save the whuppin’ for when you’re feeling better. Just know we’re all in your corner.
Debbie Seeley says
You amaze me! You have literally been through Hell……and you’re still here! Remind me to never challenge you to anything……lol……because you would annhialate me! I am so proud of you and your perseverance!
My 2 cents worth. Listen to Pagliaro’s explanation one more time before you duke it out. MDA apparently doesn’t operate as quickly as JBA, and they don’t know you (yet) as well as they soon will. You may have to wait a little longer here and there, and they may not explain it all in depth initially, but I feel they truly have your best interest and health at heart. Love to you and Jill!
Jack says
I am a Stage 4 liver cancer patient of Dr. P. In the first interview, he spent all the time needed to explain my situation (terminal) and the options for extending my life a bit. He knew my medical history (this is my 4th cancer) extensively without referring to any notes, almost as though he had memorized it prior to seeing me. He instilled both a sense of confidence in my wife and me and a certain peace in knowing that I would get the best care he and the fine folks at MDA (I have been a patient there since 2009)could provide. I never realized he had a twin brother who needed his “ass whupped”.
Kathy says
I just ran across your post, Mike, as I was looking for patient comments about Dr. Christopher Wood and posting my own. I saw him for the first time two weeks ago, after transferring from another MDA urologist. He was anything but nice to me. Apparently, the great MD Anderson Cancer Center doesn’t take kindly people who don’t like the first doctor they are assigned to and have to audacity to ask for another doctor. I hope you got some answers and are doing well.