Surgeon phoned today to say it's not good news.he goes on to say a radiologist found a secondary tumour in troys rib.
On my first trip to MY vets when the x rays were taken and the tumour was found my vet done x rays of his chest as well and said she could see something on his rib as well but couldn't be sure as she wasn't an expert in this area(cancer).so all in all she.d done three x rays.
We collected x rays from my vets and I had a look inside the envelope there was one missing....the chest x ray...I was assured I'd have it in time for the specialist trip but it couldn't be found so anyway we took just two (of his leg and foot) with us to the specialist.
They done the ct scan and upon collecting him was told by the surgeon the ct scan was ALL CLEAR!!!
We went home with our boy and mulled it all over,we decided to go ahead to have the tumour removed and have chemo on him after op Too...
His operation we booked for tomorrow morning 8am.
Today the surgeon called me saying it's not good news I'm affraid,the radiologist has NOW seen a secondary tumour on one of his ribs and thinks it could possibly be els where too...
NOW...what the hell would you make of all this?
Why was this not spotted at the time of doing the ct scan? How can a specialist tell you he's all clear and then change their minds?
Surely they are specialists in their field and should be 100% on their diagnostics BEFORE I was welcomed into speak about Troy?????
Second of all I'm annoyed with myself for not demanding they (my vet)find ( as vet nurse did look for it and said she couldn't find it but would look later for me and make sure it was found)his chest x ray,
It's very possible that my vet was right and SHES spotted the secondary cancer in his rib and he'd not have even needed a ct scan!
So just so your clear in what I'm telling you....my vet said she could see a tom our on his wrist and possibly a secondary on the ribs....lungs to her looked cloudy as if fluid there but no cancer and asked if he was coughing...we said no coughing...SO because she was unsure we seek specialist help and even they can't get it right?
Does anyone know why the radiologist wouldn't have seen this first time round? Is it possible it was missed by one radiologist and picked up by another?
Why do u think my three x rays were separated?
Do u think if my vet spotted the cancer in highs rib from this x ray he wouldn't have needed a ct scan?
Who's at fault for this not going smoothly?
Am I at fault for not making sure the x rays were knot all taken together or my vets for separating them(strange I think)
How DARE a specialist who charged me £228 for a consult give me false information,or is it a case of they're only human???
Would this be acceptable if he were my human son?very much doubt it...
So who do I speak to first?what I'd like to do is show the specialist my x ray of chest which I demanded today and collected so is now here at home with me,and ask them if they can see anything on this...if their answer is yes are my vets to blame for the ct scan being done when not needed?
Of course it's not my fault they couldn't find the x ray so I'm guessing if it had taken the x ray with me the ct scan wouldn't have been needed would it....my vet didn't just imagine the secondary if the radiologist picked it too.....

Lastly you guys have been extremely patient with me and I'm ever so I grateful for anyone's comments I really am,but could I just ask you for one last time to help me please?
I appreciate I've gone on but wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Please I need to know wether to let it slide or go ballistic (which is and I'm sorry but just how I feel)
I have four kids here who's I've now got to let down gently once again....

You must be feeling so bad right now,  you've had a real roller coaster the last couple of weeks :(   I totally understand how you're feeling.

Going on the information you've given.  And given that I'd be paying the bills, not the insurance,  I would be spitting feathers.

Ballistic wouldn't start to cover it.   If you have this covered by insurance, then you may feel differently.

At the end of the day, you have had the expense of having the CT scan done, which may well not have been needed if the x-ray had been present.  

I would be asking why the X-rays weren't kept together and made available to the specialist.    If they were missing and couldn't be found, that makes me question the level of professionalism amongst the staff regarding keeping records of tests etc.  Do they routinely 'lose' test results?

People do make mistakes, but I don't think it unreasonable to expect trained professionals to be able to do their jobs to a professional standard.   It's what they are paid for.

I would concentrate on Troy and think about what you want to do and then once that is all sorted write a letter to your vet and the specialist clearly detailing your complaint asking for a full investigation and the explanation about what went wrong and ask for a refund of any monies that have been charged that you deem unnecessary.

Sorry that it isn't good news you must be so upset :-( x

I tend to agree with what LJS says about all this.  Further, if you don't get an explanation that satisfies you, there are channels you can use via the RCVS and BVA when it comes to problems with vets. 

You must be devastated, I really feel for you.  I have been through something similar recently although for us it was the other way round - we were given bad news which turned out not to be true.  We are still waiting final confirmation that he is all clear and after that I will be writing to the specialist centre who carried out the investigations.
Take care of Troy and make sure he is comfortable while you consider your approach.  I would certainly be writing a strong letter of complaint and asking for explanations.
I wish you and your boy all the best.

Really sorry things haven't turned out better, I can well understand your anger.
I had a similar scenario where the scan on the lungs looked clear, but when a different vet tried an x ray, it was clear the lungs were filled with tiny tumours.
In my case I'd opted for no treatment  (other than keeping my dog comfortable for as long as possible )anyway so it wasn't such a big issue.

I don't know if I explained it right,we're now NOT putting him through surgery but are looking at palletable pain relief the boys been through enough already and it's totally unnecessary to operate now.
These vets are now talking radiation and chemo but I'm so fed up I think just let him be now...I can't save him it's best I let him be a dog for as long as he's got left,I've accepted he's leaving us....just have to find a way to explain to the kids...

Going on the information you've given.  And given that I'd be paying the bills, not the insurance,  I would be spitting feathers.

Ballistic wouldn't start to cover it.  
(Forgotten how to quote again lol)

Yea pretty much how I'm feeling tbh

So sorry, Romside.

I think under these awful circumstances, you have made a very wise decision to let Troy be and to go for palliative care only.  That way he can remain happy, comfortable and pain free for whatever time he has left with you.  I am sure you are right in deciding he has been through enough.  Now you can spoil him with all his favourite things ...

As for the ghastly muddle regarding the X-Rays/diagnosis - yes, a serious complaint is clearly in order.  For your own sanity I hope you can keep this as a separate issue so that you can concentrate on your lovely boy and make the most of spending time with him.

Hugs to you all.

XXX

Don't worry about telling your children . They are surprisingly resilient and although they will be upset they will thank you for telling them the truth and will I should I imagine want to focus on Troy making sure what ever time he has left will be the best time with lots of love and cuddles x

I don't know what to say, this is just awful. Today you should be looking at a dog that has had his major surgery done and is now on his way to recovery and potentially a good, quality life. I agree with the others that Troy has got to be your main concern, but perhaps for now to ease your anger I would pen a letter to both the Vet and the Specialist stating exactly what has happened, (always give them the history and don't assume they know, makes it more official), that you are very concerned about all the errors and that you want their replies within x amount of days. At least then the ball is in their court and they can put on their records that you haven't gone away. I would however, ask a lot of questions about radiotherapy and chemo and hear the options and the possible outcome and then at least you will not be saying to yourself at a later date, 'what if'.

Our vets put the x-rays on computer too, so they can email whoever necessary. I would ask if your vet does this, as the specialist could then have had the 'missing' x-ray emailed to them. Very sorry about Troy, just devastating for you and made so much worse with all this going on. He's a lucky boy to have you. M xxx