distractions and sidetracks of diagnosis

Certainly one of the more curious distractions or sidetracks of my pre-diagnosis and diagnosis of lung cancer is my pulmonologist story.

Through my original x-ray, CT scan and PET scan I trusted my nurse practitioner as my medical guru and spiritual guide … she eventually advised me to see a pulmonologist.

For many with lung issues above, beyond and including lung cancer a pulmonologist is already a member of their medical team for others like me a pulmonologist serves more as a gate keeper to the next level of oncologists and/or thoracic surgeons.

Anyway after matching my insurance with available pulmonologists we set up an appointment. Since I do not trust medical people easily I began Googling: 

“His boards have expired and also his malpractice insurance. He is awaiting indictment for insurance fraud, don't give him your money or time.”  (wellness.com)

Whoa!!! I went from freaking out to ‘freaking the f#ck out’!!!

‘We are shocked’ the office manager informed me after I faxed them my google results. All she could only offer in explanation was that they had to let go a disgruntled employee recently.

Anyway I was over the barrel and running out of time. Fortunately I was able to confirm that his boards and insurance were indeed in order so I met with the guy.

Plus in my case he was just a gate keeper and IMHO he did me right hooking me up with great people for my thoracic surgeon and oncologist. I have never had a reason to see him again.

Though when I first met each of these people he referred me to – there was an awkward twilight zone moment … they did not know him.

In June I read he was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges he embezzled funds from an employee pension plan. Then Friday I saw a TV news report that he was arrested again this time on alleged charges of health care fraud and money laundering.

Lung cancer pre-diagnosis or diagnosis is totally mind and emotion consuming. I have to count my blessings for my own cancer timeline. Can you even imagine if in the middle of everything - suddenly your medical records were caught up in some legal nightmare as your pulmonologist is arrested and the office phone number is “temporarily disabled?” 

by Patrick Leer

BLOGS:

Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/

My Lung Cancer Odyssey @ http://lung-cancer-survivor.blogspot.com/

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