Remember how last week we were informed that the results would be in by Tuesday and we were to call to double check? Well Dad called Jill around noon Tuesday and she let him know she was going to find out and call him back. A few hours later Jennifer, who processes the lab send outs, called Dad to let him know that the results were not going to be in that day. She also informed him that the tests had been sent to a lab in California and would probably not be in until Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. This is when demon Layne took over...sorry to everyone that encountered me in any realm this week...
We were honestly all at a loss. After the glimpse of hope that Mike had given us last week about this being taken care of, well it was all out the window. Mom is good friends with the CFO of Banner and he had already been caught up on Dad's situation, but Mom asked him to wait to intervene until we saw how last week's communication with Mike played out. (Terrible run on sentence- forgive me Kristen) Tuesday, she asked him to intervene and boy was he on it. Within an HOUR all of the "key players" of MD Anderson were involved. Mike, the CEO of MD Anderson, Jeff, and every director of every department involved in the situation were working together to figure out what they needed to do to rectify the issue at hand.
This morning I had received a call from Mike. As always, we had a great conversation. He let me know how sorry he was this has happened and he knows that a million sorry's couldn't change what has happened. Unfortunately everything that could have gone wrong in this process did but he put together a timeline of events from the date of the biopsy through today. Here is the timeline that Mike emailed me:
9/5/12 - O. J. Alexander’s procedure; the fine needle specimen was obtained.
9/10 /12 - Dr. Perry reviewed the case and additional stains were ordered.
9/12/12 - Dr. Pargman reviewed the case with special stains and upon discussion with Dr. Klueppelberg he asked for an EGFR and ALK by FISH be sent out.
9/13/12 - The order was placed by Dr. Klueppelberg. We must have an order to process the specimen for send out. The blocks were requested to be sent to us from SQL for the additional testing.
9/17/12 - The blocks were received. The two tests are sent to Response Genetics laboratory in California and take approximately 10 days to 2 weeks to perform and get results returned to us at Gateway.
9/20/12 – Specimen taken to dock and sent via Fed Ex to Response Genetics
9/24/12 - Fed Ex specimen pick up did not occur until this date. Delay in pick up from Gateway dock under investigation.
10/3/12 – Results expected from Response Genetics.
He talked it through with me and we both agreed the communication was the biggest issue at hand. The timeline of events did NOT mirror what Jill had been communicating to us in the least bit. As we finished our conversation he let me know he really wanted to speak with Dad but wanted my input on how he was doing and if he wanted to talk. I literally laughed and told him Dad has been the most positive and non-crazy out of all of us! They spoke soon after our conversation and it went well.
So back to the timeline. I must have read it 25 times now. Here are my issues:
1. I'm sorry (but really I'm not), but DO NOT tell someone something just to tell them. Which is what Jill has been doing the last month.
2. If you don't have the facts, be honest with your patient and own up to it. People appreciate honesty more than smoke being blown up their rear.
3. Four days. Dad's specimen sat on the dock for. four. days...four days. Climate and time sensitive goods just sitting for four days. Hopefully those slides are good...
Ok demon Layne could go on for an hour about her frustrations but I will spare you. Bottom line is they truly got their crap together and we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Dr. K called Dad right after he got off the phone with Mike. Dr. K apologized multiple times and Dad could hear the disappointment in his voice of all that had gone wrong through this. Dr. K said that next week the results will be in on the 3rd (as stated on the timeline) and we will meet with him on the morning of the 5th. Immediately following that appointment Dad will go up for treatment.
With all of the anger, frustration, and confusion the last few weeks have brought, I am so grateful to see that there are still people at MD Anderson that will drop what ever they are doing to assist the needs of a patient. The efforts of Mike and his team have really brought demon Layne down 5 notches and I think all of us are feeling a lot better now that we know exactly what is going on (for real this time). This last few weeks have really shown how united team-OJ is and how through the ups and downs Dad is never alone in this fight. We love you Daddy, fighting for you always!
Well, I have to be honest
As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone
As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone
-Lady Antebellum "Never Alone"
1 comment:
Go Layne and team OJ! Praying for you all as you enter into this next phase.
Aileen Bell
Southwest Flight Attendant
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