The Unwilling "Patient"

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When I check in at the radiologist's office, I have to first register for the procedure with a "patient coordinator."

The tech prepping me for the IV contrast for my last bilateral MRI asked, if I had become more or less sensitive / afraid of being stuck, since being a "cancer patient."

On another occasion, I emailed my alternative health care provider, and noted that the contact person for their office had the appellation of "Patient Care Coordinator" too.

It got me to thinking: what does "patient" mean?

It got me to thinking: what am I afraid of?

Definition of PATIENT

A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician or other health care provider.

The word PATIENT originally meant 'one who suffers'. This English noun comes from the Latin word patiens, the present participle of the deponent verb, patior  meaning 'I am suffering,' and akin to the Greek verb πάσχειν (= paskhein, to suffer).

I have decided that what I am most afraid of is  LIVING AS A CANCER PATIENT.

The Dichotomy of the Cancer Industry...the ongoing saga..................?

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Dichotomy – splitting into two polarized groups; opposed by contradiction; differentiated between practice & theory

It is that time for me to get the full work up and see where I have been. The breast MRI. It gives the ONC a hindsight snapshot, allowing her to peer into what my boobies have been up to this past year.

The breast MRI is the annual gig. The PetScan is done bi-annually to see if those bugger cancer cells have decided to nest anywhere else in my ample frame (I am 5'1" ...almost; and 103 ...on a good day).

Here's the issue. I am being told (and by no means am I willing to take this as the definitive last word) is that my private PPO health care plan will most likely not pick up the tab on the MRI unless a mammogram demonstrates its indicated. That in itself would not be unreasonable ...except... (and yes, here it comes) IT HAS BEEN AND STILL IS MEDICALLY RECOGNIZED THAT MY CANCER (ILC) CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED WITH A MAMMOGRAM!

To add insult to the idiocy, a mammogram would unnecessarily expose me to radiation (and radiation is bad). The form pushers at the PPO, however, are saying that they need the "inconclusive" mammogram (again) prior to authorizing the MRI (note, this thinking does not take into consideration what I, as the patient, needs). The inanity (I am so liking the "i" words today) is that the MRI facility says that this is not uncommon (the paper pusher garbage that is) and they typically schedule the mammogram 1/2 hour before the MRI and then there is no delay, both are paid for, and I can be on my merry way...having been exposed to an unwarranted dose of radiation (that may ultimately result in...?) and costing the insurance company more $$$...all so the proverbial boxes can be checked.

If I cannot win this current pissing match regarding my OWN health care? Well, it appears that by insisting on doing what is medically required, and no more --- i.e., outside the parameters of protocol, the price tag for my independence would be $1800.00 out of pocket.