There are three words nobody wants to hear, "You have cancer." I heard these words in June 2004. Dr. Scott Meyer was the neurosurgeon who performed the biopsy that diagnosed me. If I will remember only one thing about this man, it will be his favorite line, "I don't know."
This man had no answers for us. What should we do doctor? "I don't know." If your son was diagnosed with this, what would be your next step? "I don't know." "I don't know" and "this is a difficult choice" were his two favorite expressions.
My wife asked for information to read. He handed her a scientific journal reviewing the current medical and statistical data. She worked her way through this journal and asked him questions days later. I'm pretty sure he was stunned that we were able to comprehend the information enough to ask additional questions. We're pretty sure he handed us this paper to shut us up!
Finally, a kind doctor (who will remain nameless) walked into the room and said. "San Diego does not have a neuro-oncology program, you need to leave here and go someplace else." These were his exact words, he/she did not hesitate.
Scott Meyer also has no bedside manner. We never saw him again after his "job" of cutting my head open was done. I had an appt to drive to Encinitas for a follow up. Time haven past, with a clearer mind to begin addressing the next step, we came with loads of information and questions. Was he there for the appt? Of course not. An assistant, maybe a nurse, help us. She hadn't reviewed our case, we were just there to see how the scar was healing and that was it. I had a ton of questions of a "what do we do now?" theme. She said he would be contacting you for another appt. This never came. We never saw him again. Years later, a friend told me that Scott Meyer had been telling some people that I wouldn't live much longer!
Contrast that with my experience of leaving San Diego and heading elsewhere. Day 1, a team was brought together and a plan was initiated. Director of Neuro-oncology, Co-Director of Neuro-surgery was the team I got. They were all there for anything I needed and still are. Where was this, you may ask? It's just a little place called UCLA.
And me? Better than ever! Three year cancer survivor despite anything Mr (he really doesn't deserve the Dr. title) Scott Meyer has to say! read more