I thought we were making progress; how wrong I was.  All I am asking is to be re-staged.  I need to know where we are in fighting my cancer.  Sutter Sacramento finally got the hospital to call me, after multiple transfers to the imaging center, who cannot/will not use lidocaine to number the arm before an IV.

The appointment was set for January 9th.  Yesterday, I get a call from my PCPs office.  Seems, Laurie, at the hospital scheduling department took it upon herself to call my PCP for an order to inject the lidocaine, since my oncologist doesn't feel comfortable doing so.

I was broadsided by the call from the PCP's office.  I do not have a good relationship with them.  They are a technicality in the HMO formality and were utilized strictly for an oncology referral.  They play NO PART in my cancer care/treatment!  The call didn't end well.

I then called the scheduling center in Sacramento and then my oncologist's office.  I made it crystal clear that I, alone, determine if my PCP is ever brought into the discussion on my care where cancer is concerned.  I also made it clear that I am to be contacted with questions for procedures, etc.  There will be no "behind the scenes" back and forth about what needs to happen.

Basically, the CT carrot was dangled in front of me that I was going to be re-staged and then taken away.  Topical cream and an "experienced" nurse will not stop the pain of rooting around in my arm for a usable vein.  I could shell out the same money ($350 co-payment) for a non-contrast CT scan.  It's less accurate and it could possibly miss any present cancer because there's no contrast.

Last night my 12-year old daughter said, "Mom, you can't die".  I replied, "it's in God's hands".  However, Sutter hospitals and doctors are refusing to allow to participate in my care because my body doesn't have good, usable veins and they prefer to use my as a (painful) pincushion than writing a simple order or giving me a waiver to sign to cover their concerns.  

This is negligence; plain and simple!