Will insurance cover any complications that arise during elective surgery?
Remember the question my husband keeps asking the doctors … and how the answer we keep hearing is basically … NO? For this reason, all breast doctors want you to get a mammogram before surgery. Some doctors (Doctor 1 in our case) even want you to get a full physical workup. By doing so and ruling out any potential health issues beforehand, your risk of problems during surgery drop to almost nothing.
Seemed like a pretty good idea to me. Plus I haven’t had a good workup in years. “Years” meaning never. So, I decided to bite the bullet and submit to a complete medical examination and all the joys that go along with it. It’s always good to know where your health stands anyway, right? I called my regular doctor … which resulted in a general exam (weight, blood pressure, etc.), blood tests and a surprise PAP (and it wasn’t even my birthday) yesterday as well as chest x-rays and an EKG today.
Some, not all, of the results are in. The blood work is fine. Always good to hear. Unfortunately, the chest x-ray (the first I’ve ever received) is not.
I have a tumor. On my right lung. On the pleura (lining) of my right lung. Which, apparently, if you’re going to have a tumor on your lung is the best place to have it. About the size of a ping pong ball. Or a jawbreaker. Believe it or not, this was debated for a few minutes.
They don’t know what it is. So, I’m going in for a cat scan tomorrow. My husband and my parents know. And two of my good friends. And now you.
For the record, yes, I am concerned. More so than with the breast lump we discovered six weeks ago. And pissed off with myself for being concerned. I have a good friend in the hospital who is actually having surgery tomorrow to have a mass removed. If you send out any good vibes tonight, send them to her. She needs them. I need a good night’s sleep. And maybe a valium. I’ll be fine.