How is this happening to me?

Question

I don't get it . I have cancer I found out 2 weeks ago . I was in the hospital for 6 days. I don't understand whats going on. I was supposed to have a procedure done while in the hospital and they just forgot and released me. My doctor was so surprised yesterday when He went to check if I was healing ok and found it was never done which has been the source of major pain for 2 weeks that could have been avoided. I have yet to even be told what stage my bladder cancer is in by any doctor. I keep hearing I am being treated by the best in the region but I don't see it . I was under the impression that this stuff is covered under basic patient rights. My family and I are scared to death just waiting for information that I would think we should have had. How do you forget to do an important procedure really is this right. I don't know if I will need to hire a lawyer just to get fare treatment.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

OMG I don’t know how that could happen. 
I have worked for several hospitals and have never seen anything like that happen. You should be seeing a urologist and they certainly should have known if they did surgery or not.
You need someone to advocate for you if you are unable to.

I know this is not what you are asking, but let me give you a quick low down on bladder cancer since you sound a little lost.
1-  The surgery you need is a TURBT and the doctor will not know the stage until the pathology comes back from that surgery.
2-  About 75% of bladder cancers are found when they are superficial, stage 0-1.
3-  I am not a doctor and your doctor may disagree with me, but please do not let them slack on this. If your cancer is stage 0-1 your surgery needs to be followed by 6 weeks of BCG and followed by cysto every 3-4 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months for 3 years and then once a year after that. 
4- This is because 75-80% of bladder cancers recur and they can do so as much as 15-20 years later.
5-  If your cancer is muscle invasive (stage 2) you have a 2 week window to have your bladder removed as waiting later decreases survival.

Best wishes.

Tiny · Answer

I work at a very large hospital and have heard of all sorts of things happening but never have I heard of a patient admitted for a procedure and then released without that procedure happening due to being overlooked. That doesn't sound right. Did they delay the procedure and then not tell you of the new date? If they didn't do this procedure, why were you in the hospital for 6 days? 
There is a big piece missing to this story. While in the hospital you should have talked with a surgeon and or your oncologist as well as a social worker and your primary physician--did this NOT happen?  I think a call to your oncologist first thing in the morning would be a good place to start.

I sincerely hope all goes well for you, let this be a lesson, that regardless of who's paying the bill, YOU are still the only person watching out for your care and you must advocate for yourself the whole way.

NOTE: Also contact the "Uncompensated Care" office at this hospital and ask if they have any charitable programs to help cover your expenses.

Anonymous · Answer

Let me guess....Canada?? If not then nevermind. I only say this because it has a really bad reputation for having a bad health care system. But I'm sorry you have to go though that. I hope you have a speedy recovery and I wish you the very best. Can the doctor intervene and figure out what's going on at the hospital or are you all in the dark right now?

edit: be patient and soon you will hopefully have some answers

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How is this happening to me?

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