THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rod@welchco.com
S U M M A R Y
DIARY: July 20, 2009 02:37 PM Monday;
Rod Welch
Millie feels increased pain breathing went to Kaiser Emergency.
1...Summary/Objective
2...Breathing Difficulty Increases Causing Pain Kaiser Says Go to ER
3...Emergency Department Admission Recover Breathing Problems
4...CT Test Results Favorable
........Test History No Evidence Distant Metastasis
........Distant Metastasis No Evidence 8 Years Imaging Tests
..............
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CONTACTS
SUBJECTS
Default Null Subject Account for Blank Record
0403 -
0403 - ..
0404 - Summary/Objective
0405 -
040501 - Follow up ref SDS 42 0000.
040502 -
040503 -
040504 -
040505 -
040506 -
040507 -
040508 -
0406 -
SUBJECTS
Breathing Difficulty Pain Radiation Injury Medical Mistake Radiation
1503 -
1504 - Background
150501 - ..
150502 - Breathing Difficulty Increases Causing Pain Kaiser Says Go to ER
150503 -
150504 -
150505 - Millie had a meeting at UCSF on 090716 to evaluate progress getting
150506 - treatment with MPA protocol.
150508 - ..
150509 - The agenda for the meeting reported improvement recovering from IBC
150510 - evident by decreasing inflammation in the left arm, after getting
150511 - worse for several weeks following start of treatment and examination
150512 - at UCSF the month before on 090616. The agenda further requested
150513 - treatment for rising breathing problems reported the past few months.
150515 - ..
150516 - Examination concurred that IBC has worsened since the meeting on
150517 - 090616, and was unable to recognize improvement in the past few days.
150519 - ..
150520 - Tara was very concerned during the meeting about Millie's difficulty
150521 - breathing evident from ordinary conversation. Tara had Millie do a
150522 - test walking down the hallway connected to diagnostic aparatus. Tara
150523 - did not recognize any particular problems; she said the diagnostics
150524 - look okay doing the breathing test.
150526 - ..
150527 - Tara said she feels Millie may be suffering pulmonary embolism (PE).
150528 - She asked when Millie's next CT test is scheduled? Since Millie's
150529 - last CT was on 090612, the next test is due 8 weeks later on 090812,
150530 - based on MPA protocol. Tara said Millie should get another CT test
150531 - immediately at Kaiser to check for PE, based on rising symptoms.
150533 - ..
150534 - Tara left the examination room. She returned about 10 minutes later,
150535 - and seemed to say she had consulted with Doctor Rugo or possibly
150536 - another doctor, because she later said Doctor Rugo was on a plane
150537 - returning from a trip, and could not receive calls.
150539 - ..
150540 - When Tara returned, she said Millie must end treatment with MPA
150541 - immediately, and cast this drastic change in care to finding that
150542 - Millie's IBC is worse than a month before, and despite evidence of
150543 - improvement in the past week.
150545 - ..
150546 - Ending treatment immediately is much different than occurred with the
150547 - prior treatments, when similar circumstances occurred. On 070301
150548 - Doctor Rugo thought examination showed Millie was not responding to
150549 - treatment with cetuximab, but continued treatment for another week to
150550 - evaluate the cancer marker. The following week, when the cancer
150551 - marker showed significant improvement, the doctor continued Millie's
150552 - treatment, and this lasted for nearly 2 years. Similarly, on 090108
150553 - the doctor was concerned about possibility of IBC progressing with the
150554 - sunitinib protocol. She allowed Millie to continue getting treatment
150555 - another 2 weeks to verify treatment actually failed. On Thursday,
150556 - ending treatment immediately was like ending Avastin on 041103.
150557 -
150559 - ..
1506 -
1507 -
1508 - 1445
1509 -
150901 - Since Thursday, Millie has suffered progressive breathing problems.
150902 - The big difference is she now has pain coughing or breathing deeply.
150903 - These problems have been reported to the medical team for advice.
150905 - ..
150906 - There has been no response.
150908 - ..
150909 - This afternoon, symptoms have increased again, Millie is in
150910 - significant distress.
150912 - ..
150913 - Called Kaiser to speak with Doctor Johnson.
150915 - ..
150916 - The doctor is onsite today, but he is working in the Palliation
150917 - project to relieve distress of cancer patients. Was transferred to
150918 - the doctor's assistant. Reported problem of pain. The nurse said she
150919 - can contact Doctor Johnson for emergency advice in a few minutes. She
150920 - went offline to contact Doctor Johnson working in the Palliation
150921 - Department.
150923 - ..
150924 - The nurse came back online and said to take Millie to the Emergency
150925 - Department.
150926 -
150928 - ..
1510 -
1511 -
1512 - 1449
1513 -
151301 - Pam called to see if Millie's doctor called to schedule a meeting.
151302 -
151303 - Explained that the doctor said to take Millie to the ER for evaluation
151304 - of difficult breathing.
151305 -
151306 -
151307 -
151309 - ..
1514 -
1515 -
1516 - 1533
1517 -
151701 - Emergency Department Admission Recover Breathing Problems
151702 -
151703 -
151704 - Arrived at Kaiser ER.
151705 -
151706 - Reported painful breathing.
151708 - ..
151709 - The receptionist took Millie immediately for care. This improves
151710 - significantly prior practice in ER that takes 3 - 4 hours to see a
151711 - doctor.
151713 - ..
151714 - Millie connected to diagnostics.
151716 - ..
151717 - Fever 99.7 worrisome about getting Cellulitis on left arm with IBC.
151719 - ..
151720 - Stewart did an EKG. Results were negative for any problems.
151721 -
151723 - ..
1518 -
1519 -
1520 - 1603
1521 -
152101 - Millie wheeled into the hallway on a gurney to wait for a room so a
152102 - doctor can make an examination.
152103 -
152105 - ..
1522 -
1523 -
1524 - 1618
1525 -
152501 - Pam arrived to visit with Millie.
152502 -
152503 - She called Steve and Ron to let them know Millie is in the ER.
152504 -
152505 -
152507 - ..
1526 -
1527 -
1528 - 1652
1529 -
152901 - Millie taken from waiting area to an emergency room for diagnosis and
152902 - treatment.
152904 - ..
152905 - Diana is the nurse.
152907 - ..
152908 - She connects diagnostics.
152909 -
152911 - ..
1530 -
1531 -
1532 - 1717
1533 -
153301 - Doctor Lozano arrives.
153302 -
153303 - Reviews patient history from Doctor Johnson's notes in the medical
153304 - chart reporting on meeting at Kaiser on 090626.
153306 - ..
153307 - Update the doctor with recent history starting treatment at UCSF on
153308 - 090616 with MPA and ending treatment this past Thursday on 090716
153309 - because the doctor feels there may be progression of IBC, and also
153310 - because of Millie's increasing problems breathing, since pulmonary
153311 - embolism is a side effect of MPA.
153313 - ..
153314 - Doctor Lozano asked about inflammatory breast cancer? He said IBC is
153315 - new to his practice.
153316 -
153317 - [On 090919 0742 Doctor Roth was also no familiar with IBC when
153318 - Millie was treated again for breathing problems. ref SDS 43 EQ6K
153320 - ..
153321 - The doctor asked how long Millie has had breathing problems?
153323 - ..
153324 - Explained this began in late March and April, and has gradually gotten
153325 - worse, per background above. ref SDS 0 DQ5O Millie began suffering
153326 - pain with her breathing about Thursday or Friday of last week, so 3 or
153327 - 4 days ago. Today the pain increased, so Millie requested guidance
153328 - from the primary care physician. The Advice Nurse for Oncology said
153329 - Millie should be treated immediately in the Emergency Department, per
153330 - above. ref SDS 0 P13H
153332 - ..
153333 - She has had occassional pain from tightness on the left side for
153334 - several months. This has gradually gotten worse to now affect
153335 - breathing.
153337 - ..
153338 - Doctor Lozano examined Millie and asked about the extensive rash on
153339 - Millie left side and her arm? Millie said that is the IBC disease.
153341 - ..
153342 - Doctor Lozano asked about the severe sore in Millie's chest, that is
153343 - covered with a bandage. He removed the bandage to examine the wound.
153345 - ..
153346 - Explained problems with radiation treatments that missed IBC in this
153347 - location. Doctor Lozano seemed to say he found on Kaiser's computer
153348 - the report on Millie's xray test on 090709, ordered by Doctor Johnson
153349 - to evaluate Millie's increasing breathing problems the past few
153350 - months. Today, Doctor Lozano indicated that if there was lung cancer
153351 - causing Millie's breathing problems, then the xray test should have
153352 - shown it. Therefore, he feels lung cancer is not likely the cause of
153353 - Millie's severe breathing problems today.
153355 - ..
153356 - Reviewed findings of ground glass opacities in the lungs reported for
153357 - the CT test on 090415 and on 090612. This could signal radiation
153358 - injury to the lungs from treatment at UCSF in Feb and Mar.
153360 - ..
153361 - The doctor feels Millie's breathing problems could be caused by...
153362 -
153363 - 1. Pulmonary embolism discussed at UCSF on 090716 as side
153364 - effect of MPA; the doctor cited Millie's susceptibility
153365 - from 2 prior PEs.
153366 -
153367 - 2. Radiation injury progressing in lungs aligns with long
153368 - period of rising breathing problems for past 3 months.
153370 - ..
153371 - 3. Cancer metastasis in lungs from untreated IBC on
153372 - breastbone since 090122, could be possible despite
153373 - negative findings from several readings of recent CT
153374 - tests, and the xray test last week.
153376 - ..
153377 - The doctor ordered a CT test to evaluate causes of Millie's breathing
153378 - problems.
153379 -
153380 - [...below results CT test favorable, no cancer, no lung
153381 - injury. ref SDS 0 GA37
153383 - ..
153384 - The doctor said a nurse will draw blood and set up an IV for injecting
153385 - contrast medium to perform the CT test.
153387 - ..
153388 - There was extensive discussion that Millie's patient profile listed on
153389 - 090213 1140. ref SDS 37 AC6G, requires injecting contrast medium for
153390 - CT tests only through her Power Port.
153392 - ..
153393 - Doctor Lozano said that the CT Department refuses to inject contrast
153394 - medium through ports, because port catheters are not designed for
153395 - high pressure injection.
153397 - ..
153398 - Reviewed the record of Millie's patient history. Kaiser performed
153399 - surgery on 080708 to remove Millie's conventional port catheter and
153400 - installed a Power Port that is designed for injecting contrast medium
153401 - to perform CT tests. ref SDS 30 JE7N Kaiser's CT Department here at
153402 - Walnut Creek has used Millie's Power Port 4 - 5 times for injecting
153403 - contrast medium, most recently on 090413 1500. ref SDS 38 3G5I
153405 - ..
153406 - Doctor Lozano called the CT department. He asked if he can send
153407 - Millie for a CT test using her Power Port to inject contrast medium?
153409 - ..
153410 - The attendant at the CT Department said nobody in the department knows
153411 - anything about using Power Ports. The deparmtment will only do the CT
153412 - test using a conventional IV. Doctor Lozano could not present patient
153413 - history to assist the CT Department performing Doctor Johnson's
153414 - prescription for Millie to have CT contract medium injected through
153415 - her Power Port, because her patient profile conflicts with using
153416 - conventional IV practice.
153418 - ..
153419 - As a result, Doctor Lozano proposed to Millie that the nurse try
153420 - setting a coventional needle puncture IV to inject contrast medium for
153421 - the CT test he has ordered to evaluate Mil's breathing problems.
153422 -
153423 - [On 090919 0742 ER Department reported getting training and
153424 - orientation on using Huber needle with Power Port technology
153425 - rather than conventional IV needles to support CT tests.
153426 - ref SDS 43 QY6W
153428 - ..
153429 - We reviewed the record on 080425 showing that trying to set
153430 - conventional needle IVs is extremely difficult and frustrating for the
153431 - nurse, and very painful for Millie. ref SDS 28 FP6F
153433 - ..
153434 - The doctor noted advantages of timely, accurate memory available in
153435 - the SDS record for treating the patient today. He has never
153436 - encountered this level of detailed support for care in the ER, and
153437 - commended the role of doctor patient partnership.
153439 - ..
153440 - Doctor Lozano said not to tell Nurse Deana that Millie's veins are
153441 - difficult to setup an IV because notice that placing an IV in Millie's
153442 - right arm is difficult will make the nurse nervous, and increase
153443 - chances of failure.
153444 -
153446 - ..
1535 -
1536 -
1537 - 1748
1538 -
153801 - Deana arrives and tries to setup an IV for CT test contrast medium.
153802 -
153803 - After several attempts, Deana cannot find a vein to setup the IV with
153804 - adequate blood flow. Deana is very disappointed and emotional because
153805 - the problem is more difficult than expected. Deana requests assisance
153806 - from Maria.
153808 - ..
153809 - Deana leaves.
153811 - ..
153812 - Since the ER nurses were not accessing Millie's Power Port, per Doctor
153813 - Lozano's instructions, Millie did not remind the nurses to use a 1"
153814 - high strength steel needle, reported in the record on 080708 as
153815 - essential for adequate blood flow. ref SDS 30 JE7N, and which Kaiser
153816 - has standardized using Lifeguard 1" Huber needles, reported on 081017.
153817 - ref SDS 33 045H
153819 - ..
153820 - Maria explains that Deana is upset today, because she has a reputation
153821 - in the department for solving the most difficult blood draw problems.
153823 - ..
153824 - Maria apologizes for difficulty causing Millie pain and suffering
153825 - setting the IV required for the CT test.
153827 - ..
153828 - Maria is finally able to find a vein and set up an IV to draw blood
153829 - for labs ordered by Doctor Lozano, but they are unable to get IV setup
153830 - in the manner required for high pressure injection of contrast medium.
153831 - Apparently the rate of blood flow is still insufficient using the 3 or
153832 - 4 veins tried so far.
153833 -
153835 - ..
1539 -
1540 -
1541 - 1926
1542 -
154201 - Pam is upset by difficulty her mom is experiencing getting the IV
154202 - setup for the CT test contrast medium.
154204 - ..
154205 - Pam leaves for home.
154206 -
154207 - [On 090919 0742 ER Department reported getting training and
154208 - orientation on using Huber needle with Power Port technology
154209 - rather than conventional IV needles to support CT tests.
154210 - ref SDS 43 QZ45
154211 -
154212 -
154214 - ..
1543 -
1544 -
1545 - 1932
1546 -
154601 - Diana came into Millie's Emergency Room, replacing Deana and Maria.
154602 -
154603 - Diana apologizes for severe pain Millie has suffered attempting to
154604 - set and IV, rather than use Millie's Power Port, ordered by Doctor
154605 - Johnson to avoid problems occurrig today.
154607 - ..
154608 - Diana offered to try one more time to do a convetional needle puncture
154609 - IV for contrast medium for Millie's CT test. She has discussed
154610 - Millie's situation with Deana and Maria, and feels there may be
154611 - another way to accomplish the IV in Millie's arm, so that the CT
154612 - Department can do the test tonight ordered by Doctor Lozano to
154613 - evaluate Millie's breathing problems.
154615 - ..
154616 - Diana further proposed that if this attempt fails again, then she will
154617 - talk to Doctor Lozano about changing the CT test from tonight to
154618 - tomorrow. She is not sure the doctor can do this. He might have to
154619 - send Doctor Johnson a letter and ask the primary care physician to
154620 - order a CT test through normal channels, rather than through the ER.
154622 - ..
154623 - Diana set up to try another IV for CT test contrast medium.
154625 - ..
154626 - Millie pointed to a spot on inner elbow.
154628 - ..
154629 - Diana studied this area for several minutes, and agreed to try the
154630 - IV.
154631 -
154633 - ..
1547 -
1548 -
1549 - 1941
1550 -
155001 - Diana succeeded getting the IV configured for injecting CT test
155002 - contrast medium.
155004 - ..
155005 - This was painful for Millie. Diana appologized for this.
155007 - ..
155008 - Millie thanked Diana for making another try, and said the pain is
155009 - worth it to get the CT test done tonight so the painful breathing
155010 - problem can be fixed.
155012 - ..
155013 - Diana called the CT Department and asked them to send someone to get
155014 - Millie.
155015 -
155016 -
155017 -
155018 -
155019 -
155021 - ..
1551 -
1552 -
1553 - 2010
1554 -
155401 - Nurse arrived for Millie's CT test.
155402 -
155403 -
155405 - ..
1555 -
1556 -
1557 - 2032
1558 -
155801 - Millie returns from CT Department.
155802 -
155804 - ..
1559 -
1560 -
1561 - 2038
1562 -
156201 - Diana comes in and connects Millie to diagnostics again.
156202 -
156203 -
156205 - ..
1563 -
1564 -
1565 - 2105
1566 -
156601 - Notice diagnostics not working. Notify Diana.
156602 -
156603 - She explains she forgot to activate the equipment.
156605 - ..
156606 - Diagnostics now running.
156608 - ..
156609 - Concern is Millie's temperature. She had a fever when she arrived of
156610 - 99.8.
156612 - ..
156613 - Rising temperature can signal cellulitis. and if this occurs with IBC
156614 - on the left arm it will be difficult to treat.
156615 -
156617 - ..
1567 -
1568 -
1569 - 2200
1570 -
157001 - Doctor arrives with results of the CT test.
157002 -
157003 - Doctor Lozano would not submit the report to the customer. He said
157004 - patients have to go to the business office. He said the business
157005 - office is closed at this time, but customers can drive back to the
157006 - hosptial tomorrow and stand in line to get the report he has in his
157007 - hand.
157008 -
157009 -
157010 -
1571 -
SUBJECTS
CT Test 090720 Kaiser Radiology Report Prescribed by Doctor Lazano K
2503 -
250401 - ..
250402 - CT Test Results Favorable
250403 -
250404 - Doctor Lozano ordered a CT test to evaluate Millie's painful
250405 - breathing, per above. ref SDS 0 RW43
250406 -
250407 - Millie's last CT test was on 090612, ref SDS 40 026E, with
250408 - results reported on 090617. ref SDS 41 GM3N
250410 - ..
250411 - Test History No Evidence Distant Metastasis
250412 - Distant Metastasis No Evidence 8 Years Imaging Tests
250413 -
250414 - Follow up ref SDS 41 GM3N. ref SDS 39 GM3N.
250415 -
250416 - CT test today on 090720 continues Millie's 8 year history of
250417 - testing that finds no evidence of distant metastasis.
250419 - ..
250420 - Type Date Received Source
250421 - 1. CT 090720 reported on 090720.............. ref SDS 0 DA6Q
250422 - 2. CT 090612 reported on 090617.(neck)....... ref SDS 41 DA6Q
250423 - CT 090612 reported on 090617.(1st part)... ref SDS 41 DA6Q
250424 - 3. CT 090413 reported on 090415.............. ref SDS 39 DA6Q
250425 - 4. CT 081230 reported on 090107.(neck)....... ref SDS 36 DA6Q
250426 - CT 081230 reported on 090107.(1st part)... ref SDS 36 5O6N
250427 - 5. CT 081107 reported on 081113 (neck)....... ref SDS 35 DA6Q
250428 - CT 081107 reported on 081112 (1st part)... ref SDS 34 5O6N
250429 - 6. CT 080911 reported on 080912.............. ref SDS 32 DA6Q
250430 - 7. CT 080718 reported on 080723.............. ref SDS 31 DA6Q
250431 - 8. CT 080425 reported on 080428.............. ref SDS 29 DA6Q
250432 - 9. CT 080212 reported on 080215.............. ref SDS 27 DA6Q
250433 - 10. CT 071210 reported on 071213.............. ref SDS 26 UG4L
250434 - 11. CT 070930 reported on 071018.............. ref SDS 25 VK8L
250435 - 12. CT 070723 reported on 070802.............. ref SDS 24 IM6M
250436 - 13. CT 070520 reported on 070524.............. ref SDS 23 DA6Q
250437 - 14. CT 070326 reported on 070329.............. ref SDS 22 DA6Q
250438 - 15. CT 070131 reported on 070202.............. ref SDS 21 1Y8G
250439 - 16. PET/CT 061227 reported on 070102.............. ref SDS 20 1Y8G
250440 - 17. CT 060930 reported on 061012.............. ref SDS 19 284J
250441 - 18. MRI 060708 reported on 060711.............. ref SDS 18 PT4K
250442 - 19. Xray 060623 reported on 060711.............. ref SDS 18 WJ6G
250443 - 20. CT 060505 reported on 060523.............. ref SDS 17 E355
250444 - 21. PET 060414 reported on 060428.............. ref SDS 16 WJ6G
250445 - 22. PET 060120 reported on 060126.............. ref SDS 15 WJ6G
250446 - 23. PET/CT 051005 reported on 051007.............. ref SDS 14 WJ6G
250447 - 24. CT 050530 reported on 050610.............. ref SDS 13 G75L
250448 - 25. CT 050325 reported on 050422.............. ref SDS 12 G75L
250449 - 26. CT 041217 reported on 041230.............. ref SDS 11 G75L
250450 - 27. CT 041103 reported on 041104.............. ref SDS 10 WV7H
250451 - 28. CT 040921 reported on 041005.............. ref SDS 9 NL4N
250452 - 29. CT 040710 reported on 040811.............. ref SDS 8 H85S
250453 - 30. CT 040410 reported on 040416.............. ref SDS 7 LK5L
250454 - 31. CT 040307 reported on 040318.............. ref SDS 6 LK5L
250455 - 32. CT 031031 reported on 031205.............. ref SDS 5 IG9K
250456 - 33. CT 030626 reported on 030710.............. ref SDS 4 AL6N
250457 - 34. CT 030428 reported on 030508.............. ref SDS 3 LK5L
250458 - 35. PET 021218 reported on 030109.............. ref SDS 2 LK5L
250459 - 36. PET 020529 reported on 020603.............. ref SDS 1 0001
250461 - ..
250462 - Good news - Doctor Lozano said the report for the CT test today...
250463 -
250464 - 1. Pulmonary embolism - negative.
250466 - ..
250467 - 2. Radiation injury progressing in lungs aligns with long
250468 - period of rising breathing problems for past 3 months.
250470 - ..
250471 - 3. Cancer metastasis in lungs from untreated IBC on breastbone
250472 - since 090122 - negative - could be possible despite
250473 - negative findings from several readings of recent CT tests,
250474 - and the xray test last week.
250476 - ..
250477 - Doctor Lazano said at this time Millie's pain and difficulty
250478 - breathing, and progressing cough have undetermined etiology, since
250479 - testing this evening has shown no evident cause, per above.
250480 - ref SDS 0 GA37
250482 - ..
250483 - Doctor Lazano prescribes follow up with primary care physician, Doctor
250484 - Johnson, and with Internal Medicine...
250485 -
250486 - 925 295 4070
250487 -
250488 -
250489 -
250490 -
250491 -
250492 -
250493 -
2505 -