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...

Ah, the waiting game.  And we shall be hoping that when you do get that
report, you will have again accomplished one of the life-goals we all
share:  being an utterly boring case to one's oncologist!

Ann T.
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Mary wrote << If
I've mentioned any little thing I've had the finest investigation and care
anyone could imagine.

That's great!  I have had some good investigative evaluations, too, and in fact
most have been.  I have also been 'lucky' enough to have some that are less
than up to standard.
I still haven't had the MRI (review) of my cervical spine, ordered in Dec.  I
didn't have it with the other spinal MRI because the spine dr. forgot to
include that one.  So, on 1/9 I was lying in the MRI, hearing the knocking
sounds, etc. when the tech stopped the machine and said it wasn't working and
that I would need to reschedule.  As I was leaving he did mention that they had
a coil they could use--but the films wouldn't be as good.  If that were the
case, I said, then I'd reschedule.  Well the next week the machine was still
down.  When I first spoke with the receptionist she told me that I had been
offered another way to do the test and that I had refused--making it sound like
I was contacted specifically to do that procedure in the manner prescribed.
That was NOT the case  The tech told me about the other way as an aside and
when he said it wasn't as good--knew that I didn't need to make a decisiom==hat
it was already done (decision).  
I was rescheduled for the test last Friday.  The machine was still down.  I
have an appt with the spine dr. tomorrow, so I called his office to see if I
could get it done at an alt. facility--through same HMO--STAT--but they were
booked.  I called dr's receptionist.  The dr. wouldn't be in until Tuesday.
She suggested calling membership services and asking to get it done at an
outside facility.
I called main membership services and explained situation.  She tried to
contact membership services for local facility--but they closed at 4:30 on
Friday.  She said she'd call today and that my case would be 'high priority.'  
I called the MRI dept this a.m. and machine is still down.  I was told that
someone had come 4 different times but part was still not repaired.  An hour or
two later I received call from MRI receptionist offering me a 2:00 appt.  I
told her I thought machine was down.  She said that they could use the coil.  I
told her that tech had told me on own initiative that it wasn't as good ( I
would never have thought to ask).  She told me to talk to the tech.  I did.
This time instead of telling me that other way wasn't as good, he told me that
regular machine when it is working is "better."  
My husband and I discussed doing it on our own.  I called one facility to get
info.  They could do it but also gave me # of other facility that does another
type of MRI that I may also need.  I asked if they had any appt's.  They did.
I then said that I was going to pay out-of-pocket and wondered about the cost.
I was then asked what insurance I had.  I told them (HMO with own facilities
and not private insurance).  They said they had a contract with our HMO and
often did MRI's for them when machine was down.  I told her I didn't know if I
could get order since dr(s) were out and that I was ready to pay out-of-pocket
for it.  I was told that I couldn't do that.  They would have to send it to our
HMO and then the HMO would have to reject it.  Then I would be expected to pay.
I said I wanted to pay up front.  I was told that was illegal.  Sigh...
I call membership services.  I tell story to one guy.  He told me someone else
was on my case--that person had called and left a message (based on Friday's
call) but called me at home # instead of cell # I left.  
She said I needed to speak to local supervisor.  She had him call me.  He said
that I was offered appt for scan but refused.  I said I declined based on
information that tech shared with me on his own initiative. He counteracted
that info--said machine produced acceptable films for diagnostics--that only
thing missing was T1 and T2 images.
I then called membership services back and asked for gall who I had spoken with
last and who had left message on my machine at home.  The gal who answered
didn't know who that was.  I am guessing that maybe they say that to all
patients who ask for someone by name to help them.  Otherwise, how would the
first receptionist I spoke with in the morning know that another gal -- the one
I asked for --was on my case.  She is not available--out to lunch.
So, at that pt. I sit down and write letter re another matter that I will
discuss another time.  I go have copies made for later.  I then drive back to
HMO facility and go to supervisor, whom I had talked to at 'lunch' time--one
who had called me on phone.
He again tells me doing test with coil was diagnostically acceptable and said
that the radiologist had shown him someone elses films the other day (that he
still had).  He then pulls out this other persons films (didn't see name but
still...) and said that they were diagnostically acceptable (for what I am
thinking).  I then ask again about going outside to get it done and am remided
that I had been offered appt. but refused.  I then repeated that I was told by
their tech--on his own initiative the first time and also told a 2nd time that
machine was not as good and that other one was better.
I also had gotten copy of report of last cervical spin.  It talks of T1 and T2
images and marrow contrast.  I ask if alternative way can show that as
well--remind him that test is to look for metastatic disease just as much as a
cervical spine problem.  He again said alternative process (special coil) was
diagnostically acceptable.
He asks what time appt was.  I didn't tell him I didn't have one.  I give him
time that I was offered that morning (2:00) and go over to MRI.  I remind them
that I need nurse because I have hard time with sticks--that is not uncommon
there. I went and sat down.  I had opportunity to talk with same tech--and
asked if theyd be able to see the marrow contrast with this scan since mention
of that in rept. also talked of T1 and T1 images.  I was told I  needed to talk
to the radiologist.  He paged him. Radiologist didn't call back so I meandered
upstairs to dept and was told to wait.  I did and then said I needed restroom.
I went to car to get tape recorder and then go to main x-ray to see if he's
there.  He is.   Supervision asked if he could help me--same supervisor.  I
tell him I was waiting to talk with radiologist--and said the tech had referred
me to him for my question.  He, supervisor, said he wanted to talk with
radiologist first (sabotage?).  Supervisor said radiologist's didnt speak to
patients.  He came out and said radiologist would call me.  He did.  He went on
to talk about back related prob's etc.  I asked him about the marrow intensity
adnd visibility on scan.  He said that films were diagnostically acceptable but
indicated or suggested that I might want to wait until machine is fixed.  They
offered me coil becaise I needed certain time frame.  Again, tech said it
wasn't as good.  Since I knew how private hospital worked, I asked for referral
to such.  I was told that wasn't done unless person didn't fit into machine or
if I were claustrophobic.  Meanwhile the MRI which had been rescheduled for
today was now at 3:30.
After talking to the radiologist, I said I'd like to reschedule.  Hope I
didnn't bore you with tooo many details...

Annie wrote: << I went to
oncology and they got the IV in for me prior to the abdom. ct. They told
me they've got to have an IV line in place incase there's a reaction to
the iodine. >>

Good luck!  I will probably do that next time.  I find that when the nurse
administers it, she gets it in the first or second try.  The last time I had a
tech do it she stuck me no less than nine times--my whole arm was purple.  I
used to have great veins--now I have what they call 'rolling veins'  Anyway,
wishing you all the best!