Tongue cancer in an elderly patient: Thinking of my grandmother

Old age is no place for sissies. -Bette Davis “I want the surgery today!” She started to cry. “I’m ninety-four years old. I’ll accept any risk. Just take this thing out!” She looked back and forth between the anesthesiologist and me. Her golf-ball sized tongue cancer had been growing over the past six months. It wasn’t changing from day-to-day, but it had increased over the course of the three weeks since we had first met. A misunderstanding about stopping medications before surgery had led her to discontinue both her aspirin (a good idea) and her blood pressure pills (not a good idea). She was lying on the cart that was supposed to roll her into the operating room decked out in a hospital gown, paper hat, and booties. Her family was with her, trying to comfort her but also looking frustrated and worried. Her IV was in place. Everything was ready. Her blood pressure, though, was sky high. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Conditions Surgery Source Type: blogs