"I'm afraid I have some bad news"

So I got a call back from Resurgens Orthopaedics on Tuesday, July 1, stating that they had received and reviewed my radiology report. Unfortunately, the report was rather vague and simply stated that I have a “large soft tissue mass” on my left thigh (which I assumed was codespeak for tumor). I pretty much knew that already – I just wanted to know exactly what it was and whether or not it was cancerous.

The PA at Resurgens (Teddi) was great and asked me to bring in my MRI films to be reviewed by their Radiologist (who was, sadly, was on vacation until Thursday). But as promised, Teddi called me back the morning of Thursday, July 3, and said that their Radiologist had reviewed my films that morning. She then when on to say “I'm afraid I have some bad news. Our Radiologist believes that the mass is likely either Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma or Liposarcoma. You need to get this biopsied ASAP in order to know for sure what this is.” She then referred me to an Orthopedic Oncologist who they believe is the “best in the area”: Dr. David Monson, of Emory Crawford Long Hospital. Now I just needed to make the appointment.

But that was easier said than done. Turns out that this guy is such a specialist that you must be referred to him and the referring doctor must fax over records. Teddi to the rescue again. She had that covered quickly. It was now just a matter of waiting to be called back. But with the 4th of July right around the corner and many people gone on vacation (or headed out early), that wasn't going to happen quickly.

I have to say how impressed I was by the staff at Resurgens Orthopaedics, Teddi in particular. They all showed a lot of compassion and were very prompt and professional about following up with me.