What are your oncologists like and what do they do?

goatymcgoaty

Hi, 

 

I was wondering what people's experiences have been visiting their oncologists and follow up.

 

I've been to three now…. The first one, I simply hated and I rarely have such a strong reaction!  He was constantly looking at his watch, told me he treats the cancer not the patient! And my favorite on our second visit was when he added ovarian ablation to the mix of treatments without much explanation. Then he said to me, you know where I stand, let me know what you want to do. Sigh.   The second and now third were ok. The second is in Boston as a second opinion as I'm in Ireland. I just had to get away from the first guy so I transferred to private hospital here.   The later was equally rushed in some ways and according to all of them, it's tamoxifen or nothing.  The last doctor wouldn't even acknowledge exercise as a good idea!   Although he did back off the ablation as there wasn't sufficient evidence at this time that combination is any better than just tamoxifen and I didn't hate him. Although he was a bit rough on the exam and I just finished radiation. Ouch. ;-)

 

I'm also curious what type of follow-up people are getting.   They don't do any scans which I see from another thread is common. I'm ok but all's he did was a breast exam  and write a prescription for a 150 euro.  It seems like a lot of money for something I can do for myself and breast surgeon also does every 6 months and a yearly gyno visit.

 

Anyhow, I'm left feeling a bit bewildered by it all and wondered how other people got on. 

 

Kindest regards, 

Susan

ruthbru

Yikes, I'd find somebody who actually wants to work with me! I always go in with a notebook full of questions, and mine sits and talks with me until all my questions are answered, then we go through all the blood work results, and THEN up on the table I go and he does a physical examination, then I sit in the chair and we wrap it up, talk about whatever tests (like a mammo, DEXA etc) he will be ordering before my next appointment, then he shakes my hand and leaves. You are the consumer and the doctor is working FOR you. Sounds like you've run into some people who don't realize that! Maybe you need to make an appointment just to interview for doctors! Good Luck. Ruth

don23

I'm like Ruth. I go in with a list of questions. When I hear about some supplement or other kinds of alternative treatment I ask him about it. Sometimes he just gives me a weird look when I ask what might be a stupid question but he does give me answers. BTW this is my second onc. My first one I fired because I had to call a couple of times with a question I had and she never called me back. I know the question I had was not of an urgent matter but I still needed an answer. I felt if she didn't have the time to call me back then I don't want her to be my doc. My onc does not order any scans as routine. He will only order them if I have symptoms. He does do a physical exam. So far so good!

I hope you can find a onc that you like and can trust.

NatureGrrl

This will give you an idea of my oncologist:  I already knew him because my mom had ovarian cancer.  I found a lump.  I had no insurance and was terrified.  I went for a diagnositic mammogram and the radiologist was completely cold and heartless and simply said, "Your dr. (I didn't have one) will want a biopsy but I KNOW you have cancer."  I was devastated and went upstairs to mom's oncologist's office hoping to see the therapist he keeps on staff.  (She sees family of patients and I'd seen her over problems with mom).  She was out but the receptionist took one look at me and put me in a room and said she'd get one of the nurses to see me (she had no idea what was wrong, just that I was falling apart).

Mom's oncologist, not a nurse, came into the room; I told him what was going on and that I had no insurance.  He took my hand, looked sincerely into my eyes, and said, "Don't worry about that.  We'll get you through this."   10 days later, after a biopsy, a Muga, a port placement, I started chemo.  He gives out hugs, too.  Extremely compassionate.

My treatment ended about 6 months ago.  So far I've had a Muga, DEXA, dx mammogram, a CTscan for a concern on my lungs (all gone now), a heart cath, 3 appointments with my oncologist, one with my surgeon, and one with my radiation oncologist, plus seeing a cardiologist for minor heart damage from chemo and numerous blood tests to check on various things.  My next dx mammogram is this fall.   For now I see my oncologist every 3 months and radiation oncologist the same, and the surgeon after every dx mammogram.  I'll have dx mammograms twice a year for now.

I'll add that my oncologist's staff are equally or more caring and compassionate, every one of them, and of course during treatment I saw them more than I saw the dr.  When I go there I feel cared for and cared about.

It's got to be really hard to have a dr. that you don't feel good about.  It's hard enough to have to deal with this disease without having to search for someone that takes the whole you into account.Treating cancer isn't just about treating the cancer; it's about the whole person.  I wish you the best.

PS  I also go in armed with questions, no matter what dr. I'm seeing, and they've all been great about answering.  And when my mom died during my radiation, I don't know how they found out, but all the radiation staff gave me hugs and checked on me for several weeks.

NatsFan

Agreed with Ruth.  I loved my first oncologist, but a year after active treatment ended, he stopped handling my followups personally, and instead I was seen only by a young PA. This PA was very inexperienced, and when I requested copies of my records after 2 visits with her, I found significant errors and omissions in them. 

I wrote a letter to my onc explaining why I was leaving his practice and started looking for another onc.  I asked my PCP, my ob/gyn, my rad onc, my breast surgeon, and friends who were cancer patients for onc recommendations.  One name kept popping up, so I made an appointment to see her.  I told her the reason I left my first onc, and asked a lot of questions about her practice and procedures.  She was wonderful, and treats not only the cancer, but treats me as a whole human being.  QOL is very important to her.  She never minds questions (and like Ruth I come in with a long list of them) always explains why she wants a particular test, and I never feel rushed.  She gave me a complete plan for follow up, the tests she runs and at what intervals, and basically treated me like an adult human being.  Like Ruth I get a full physical exam every appointment plus time for lots of questions and answers. 

I have learned to be very picky about who I put on my medical team.  We all work together as a team, and if someone doesn't pull his or her weight for whatever reason, I remove them from my team and get someone who will work with me.   It sounds like you've had a run of bad luck - you are absolutly right in your instincts that you deserve better than you are getting.  It may take you seeing a couple of doctors to interview them, but this is life and death - you need someone on your team who will work with you.

Good luck!

cathmg

Hi Susan,

my once sees me every 6 mos.-included is bloodwork and a brief physical exam. He asks how the Tamoxifen is going and answers my questions. We review any trials or new treatments. I do ask about alternative therapies (supplements, etc.) but it's not his thing-he's pretty straight forward Western science. He is compassionate and caring-I do feel that from him, and that means the world to me. I hope you can find someone who will treat you as a whole person-you deserve it.

All the best,

Catherine

di431

I dropped my first one after the second visit. He was nice but creepy at the same time.  I didn't see the purpose of seeing him since all he wanted to do was breast exams, my surgeon was doing those every time I saw her which was frequently through reconstruction. I also refused tamoxifen and did not need chemo. I went to another one early this year, I still don't see the need, I think it's overkill. I might just see her once a year or when something comes up. I kind of want to keep her in case I need a prescription or referral since my surgeon is not going to be seeing me as much.

badger

Hi Susan, my onc is a man about 45 years old.  I like him very much.  Did right off the bat, which is good because I didn't have a choice.  He's kind & caring, very busy and always running late but sincerely apologetic.  I don't mind too much - I bring a paperback book to appts - figuring if it was me having an emergency or needing extra time, I wouldn't mind making the next person wait.

You can click into my bio to see my timeline.  My diagnosis date is my first appt with onc.  As you can see, it's right before Christmas.  He squeezed me in before leaving on a vacation which I really appreciated.  Spent time with me that first appt going over path report and drawing diagrams so I could see where the bad bits were.  He informed and made recommendations, for example I had a choice of chemotherapies.  He was pretty insistent about tamoxifen, tho.

I had a bilateral mastectomy in February and started chemo in March.  Had six treatments, every three weeks and saw him right beforehand each time.  He'd get my lab results and give the thumbs-up for tx.  My last infusion was June 15th. :-)  First follow-up appt was three weeks after that, got 'script for tamox that I picked up and started two weeks ago on July 10.  I see him in 4 months.

Follow-ups will be every 4 months for the first year or two, then every six months, then maybe (after a long while, he said as he smiled) once a year.

I agree with the other ladies that it's important to have an onc you like and trust.  You'll spent a lot of time together and over the long haul!  Best wishes and {{hugs}}

(edit to add my kudos for specialty clinic staff and oncology nurses, who are some of the most upbeat people I have ever met!)

coonie

Ohhh so sorry you're having a bad time with your doctors. Dealing with cancer is bad enough!

I am fortunate also to have a wonderful oncologist. He's very compassionate, takes his time to answer the hundreds of questions I have for him. While I was receiving chemo, the employee break room was near the chemo area. My doctor would ALWAYS offer me something when he went to get coffee, etc. Wish I could send him to you. It sure makes the process a little easier.

Sending you big hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cbm

My oncologist is amazing.  The first time I saw him I was a mess, having been mistreated by a surgical oncologist at a major cancer center.  My oncologist and his p.a. sat down with me and my husband and let us know that he had read all the records we'd provided him (over the weekend) and that he wanted first to make sure that I knew I had stage 2 breast cancer and that I was going to be fine, live a long life and probably die from something else.  He said we'd have the rest of the info (hormone receptors etc.) within the hour.  Then he asked me to tell him about my history, how I got here, my life, that kind of thing and he listened for an hour.  After I was done he explained my path report (and the receptors that had been faxed in and handed to him) in detail and told me I'd be getting chemo with or without mastectomy, but rads only if I chose lumpectomy.  He told me I wouldn't like the chemo and it would not be pleasant, but they would get me through it safely and I'd be fine. I told him I wanted a bilateral mx and needed a referral to a surgeon as I wasn't going back to the one I'd just seen.  He gave me three names and told me a little about each.  I asked him to tell me which he'd send his mom to and then I picked that one.

I see him every three months for the moment, once I'm done with herceptin it will be once a year.  When I wanted another year of herceptin, he worked it out.  His staff never ever has a bad day, none of them. He referred me to antoher surgeon for my ooph and he warned me that I wouldn't like him but that he was worth tolerating, I'd be safest in his hands. He is always patient, accessible, and friendly, and answers my questions over and over.  

I wish I could clone him and offer him to everyone.  I consider myself fortunate, as we live in a small city and I could have had far more limited choices and a bad experience, but he is only nine blocks from my house.  

The best medical care I've ever had in my life.  His practice ticks along like a clock and the insurance admin is always up to date and accurate.   The whole experience was a birght spot in an otherwise devastating period of my life.

Cathy 

 

ebann

Well it is sad to hear that you have had the run around w/ your onc. I have to admit that I was lucky to get mine the first time. She is straight to the point & I love that about her. She encouraged me that this was not a death sentence & that I can fight this no matter what statics say. I had a 30% survival rate. She cheered me on. I went in w/ a lot of questions & she took the time to answer them for me & my husband. Since I had IBC & am triple neg. I go see my onc every quarter along w/ blood work & a pet scan. I will be doing this for the next 5 years. For my recurrence rate is high. The staff is great, caring & compassionate. I wish you the best in finding someone who cares about you as a person & willing to fight as hard.

Blessings your way

Elizabeth

DiDel

Susan I LOVE LOVE LOVE all my docs. Especially my BS and PS. I was recommended my BS from a friend who did business with him. I got the vague diagnosis via telephone from my GYN on a Thursday at 6pm, my friends called my BS that night and told him he HAD to take me on which he did. He called me at 8am the next morning in between surgeries and went over briefly my pathology but put me a little at ease knowing it was low grade. THEN he called me Friday evening after his surgeries and said he would see me that night or the next morning YES SATURDAY, I saw him Sat morning and he talked to me for about 2 hours, so nice. I had many more times where he would call me and say why don't you come in for some hand holding. I rarely saw him during regular business hours, he was so accommodating and caring. He & my PS are extremely responsive to my emails and phone calls. I feel I can call either of them at anytime and they wouldn't mind. The real clincher was when my final pathology came back from surgery and my Oncotype results were in; he wanted to spend time with me to really discuss everything. I met him at 6AM at his office. I could tell he was genuinely concerned about me as soon as I walked in. He started off by saying "I know you don't have anyone at home to discuss your treatment options with, so I am gonna be that person for you" He knew I did not want to do chemo and initially opted to NOT do it and that concerned him. he then said "I think of you like a kid sister and I am not asking you to think about it I am asking you to do it" then after speaking to my medical oncologist he sorta said the same thing, if you were my sister i would want you to do the chemo. THEN my wonderful PS called me that night at home and we spoke for 45mins and he was so encouraging and supportive. Reminded me that I needed to focus on my healthy and he would worry about my reconstruction. When my team of docs said we are here for you they meant it!! I seriously had withdrawal from not seeing them  for the last two months. I am done treatment and have reconstruction scheduled for September. I am almost at the end of this journey and owe lots to my docs for getting me through it. They held my hand the whole way...and laughed at my jokes!

Have a lovely day everyone!

Diane

Medigal

Well my new Onc is ok but he can be a bit abrupt!  For example I was able to intimidate my former Onc by refusing to take Arimidex and agreed to take Tamoxifen even tho I am post-meno.(I changed "very" early in life!"  So when I asking new macho guy why I had to take Arimidex, he just said in a not very nice voice "TAKE IT OR DIE!"   Well!  I had no good come back for that and the look in his eyes made me think he might be telling the truth so I agreed to take Arimidex and become even nuttier than I usually am.  You want "mood changes" well I am like a monkey swinging from the chandeliers and we don't even have chandeliers.  I cry at catchup commercials on tv and lock myself in my bedroom most of the time so my only two relatives who live with or near me won't have to see all my Jackle and Hyde changes.  I tried to talk to that Onc about my mood problems and he said he never heard of it affecting people like that!   I had to just cheer up! 

I would change doctors but my experience is that it is always like jumping from the frying pan into boiling HOT grease!  They ALL seem to have the "I'm tougher than you"  attitude.

momand2kids

sun

I see my onc every six months- and have an MRI or a mammogram on the same day. When I meet with her, I have a list of questions about current research, follow up questions from the last visit and updates about how I think I am doing.  I also tape record all of the visits.  My onc is  a researcher as well, so she often has some good insight into studies,etc.  She also has a great PA--very experienced who I see at the beginning of each visit.  I worked  with both of them during chemo.  I feel that my onc and my surgeon are both incredible docs--- and exceptionally good at what they do... I always asked "what would you suggest if I was your favorite sister?" question and they always answered truthfully.  

My entire medical team is female, and that is by design.  My dentist, my pcp and my gyn are all female as well.....

 I agree with the person who said it---if they don't work for you, fire them....... this is your life---- you get to decide.  

hymil

My oncolcogist is a very pleasant young guy. I took a friend with me once and she described him as "Eye-candy" (Very sweet to look at!) I don't like the hormones he wanted me to take but he was reasonable when I explained why I knew they weren't right for me, (sadly his juniors are not so understanding and would be better as double-glazing salespeople) and when I queried the rads he went away and asked around his colleauges what they would do.

He is also a keen runner and accepted that I would try to lose weight and exercise a significant amount, instead of taking his tablets, so I felt i had to go through with it! Just before I did my 10k, he completed the London Marathon in a respectable time...  seems to be saying in words and actions, Life is Worth Living.

LuvRVing

I am new to this journey, having just been diagnosed at the end of June.  I saw an oncologist the next week and he was dismissive and didn't seem to appreciate my list of 20 questions.  He tried to frighten me into immediate chemo, saying that my tumor was much larger than what the US and Mammo indicated and a lumpectomy would take half my breast.  I'm not sure how he could know this because I was full of hematomas from the core biopsy and I felt he was trying to scare me into submission.  He told me I didn't need the Oncotype test, but I insisted that it be ordered.  He waited another week before actually ordering it, and called me at home to again scare me into starting chemo prior to a lumpectomy.  I'm done with him.

After much thought and consulting with a doctor who is also a PhD (the son of a good friend of mine), I decided that I had to have the lumpectomy and SNB first.  I just needed to know the status of the SN and the only way to get that answer was to have surgery right away; and I wanted to evict the tumor.  I also asked for a referral to a different oncologist at a different breast center (KU Med).  I will meet with him next week and we will have a full pathology report plus the Onco test score to guide our decisions. 

Your medical oncologist will be with you for a long time, so it is important to establish a trusting relationship.   And it turns out that my tumor was the size indicated in the Mammo, not bigger.  I would run, full speed, away from a doctor with whom you cannot have honest, open communications.

Michelle

ruthbru

Good for you Michelle!

TMarina

I go to the Cancer Care Center at regions Hosp. in st. Paul, MN . EVERYONE there is wonderful!  I had colon cancer last year, and when my lumpectomy in April showed that my BC had gone to the nodes, my onc. stopped in the hosp to see me  (at this point I didn't need to see him yet for the bc)  He called me at home the next night just to see how I was doing because he could tell I was upset about having to do chemo again.  He is an awesome doc.  He cares about the whole person--makes sure I'm sleeping ok, and getting everything I need.  My chemo nurses are my good friends now--I bring pics of my grandson, and get lots of hugs when I need it!

My onc had me get all the standard tests--MUGA for the chemo, bone scan, ekg, etc.  I see him before every chemo--I do labs first, then see him, then if labs are ok, I get chemo.

I wish you the best finding the right onc!!  I know there are good ones out there!

T

kittycat

I've also seen 3 oncologists.  My first one was very intellegent, but I don't think he handles many breast cancer patients.  I don't know, that could just be a perception thing.  He didn't do any good follow up.  I was treated for DCIS with a bilateral mastectomy.  I was ER/PR negative, so no Tamoxifen needed.  He said no oopherectomy even though I was BRCA1 positive.  I decided I should get an ooph anyway (my obgyn found a clear cyst on my left ovary).  8 months after my bmx, I found 3 small lumps on my right breast (where I had cancer before).  I had cancer again.  I got a 2nd opinion from a onco that 4 doctors recommended.  I went to NYC and got a 3rd opinion from a onco there.  I am now getting treated by the 2nd onco here.  She does a breast exam every time I get chemo.  She is very thorough and wants to take control of my treatment and what doctors I see.  I need that!  She also said my ovaries need to come out, since I'm BRCA1+.  I'll have that done after I'm done with chemo and radiation. 

I am the queen of 2nd and 3rd opinions.  I've been through 2 obgyn's, 2 breast surgeons, 3 oncos, 2 gyn oncos, 2 PCPs, etc... GOOD LUCK!!!

Tamara67646

My oncologist has been great.  On my first visit, he took alot of time to explain all the options, reasons for his recommended treatment and easy to understand explanation of all the "stats".  While I was going through chemo - he was very supportive and seemed geniunely concerned about any side effects I was experiencing and worked to minimize those side effects.  I just passed my 2 year anniversary and will be switching from seeing him every 3 months to every 6 months - but at each follow-up appt he reviews my blood work, does a breast exam and answers any questions.  He is also very considerate - if he is running late or needs to change an appointment - he apologizes and expresses appreciation for my flexibility or patience.  I feel fortunate that I found a onco that I like on the first try.

SandyAust

Hi Susan,

 First of all I am SO GLAD to see you posting.  Welcome back.

Anyway, you need to find an oncologist you like. Keep trying.  By the way, they may all give you the same advice but a really good oncologist will respect your decisions and your concerns (e.g. fertility). For example, they can say "The best treatment is this, but given your concerns I see you want to take this path.  I advise against it but I will work with you". 

This is what you need and deserve.  Keep looking and good luck.

Take care,

Sandy

maggie5

My oncologist was terrific on the first couple of visits.  Now, he's just okay.  He doesn't seem to remember me (I realize that he sees a lot of patients).  He asks who did my reconstruction 'every' time I go in.  His nurse is very, very young and rarely smiles or looks directly at me - she even asked, after I'd been there every three months for a year, if I had a port which I didn't because I didn't need chemo.  I just feel as though they don't take the time because my cancer was (fortunately) found early and was small, so why the hell am I there??  The last time I was there they were in the midst of putting patient info into new computer program and somehow my blood didn't get drawn and I was just too aggravated to go back and ask about it.  He never goes over the results of blood tests anyway and I don't even know what they're checking for.  The sign on the door of the examination room says that if there are any problems with a blood test, they'll call you.

I'm just going on and on - sorry.  Just having a bad day - seeing a physical therapist because of constant lower back pain and it's not getting better.  I know it's because of the Femara.  I was at the beach with my kids and grandson and found that I can't keep up with them like I used to.  I am only 53 and I really feel like I'm 83.  Thinking about stopping everything altogether.  I want to be back like I was   There's probably a better forum for this but I just don't feel like looking for it right now.

ruthbru

Maggie, see if the PT can give you some good exercises; I find I do much better in the creaky department when I stick to an exercise routine (some people have found yoga to help a lot with Al SE). And I would bring a notebook with all my questions and not let him examine you until after you've gone over them. And tell (not ask) them that you want copies of your blood tests at the beginning of the appointment and then make them go over them with you too. You are the consumer and they owe you that much. Sending a hug your way! Ruth

memory

Hi Sunflower,

The ladies here are giving you very good advice. (They always do.) I got a good piece of advice back when I was first diagnosed: your oncologist is the one that you'll be with for the long haul, so make sure you're comfortable with him/her.

 I was so displeased by the first oncologist I saw that I called my insurance carrier and asked them how many "second opinions" was I allowed under my plan. They told me I was entitled to get as many opinions as I wanted, and to go for it. Thankfully, I did find an onc on the second try.

 My onc is quite brilliant, and therefore has some of the social awkwardness such people invariably have. But she's warming up, and was even funny in our last meeting. Since I am in my first year after diagnosis and did not need chemo, most of our discussions have centered around how I am tolerating Tamoxifen. One thing I also like about her is that she EXPLAINS things. And doesn't mind questions.

 Also keep in mind, if a doc gives you a bad feeling, RUN in the opposite direction. The first onc I saw wanted to hook me up to a chemo bag less than eight weeks after surgery. (Bilateral mastectomy.) I called a relative who's a surg-onc nurse, and she had a fit. "Doesn't he know that's too soon?" I don't know what others have experienced, but she felt it was taking too much of a chance, so soon after surgery. Particularly because my path report was basically good: other than the fact that the tumor was a little larger than we thought, the report came back hormone positive, HER2-, negative nodes, negative vascular invasion, grade 1. "Why is he in such a hurry?" my relative said.

Then there was the fact that he felt "tumor grade doesn't matter." Shouldn't be a factor in determining treatment. Excuse me, but I think more than a few cancer centers would beg to differ. The most important things to him, he said, was the fact that my tumor was 2 cm, that I'm young (49, ha! I know that's young for a BC patient, but still) and I was still having my periods (at the time.) All of that trumped node negativity and estrogen positivity, he said. And he didn't even mention vascular invasion and HER2 status.

The worst part of that experience was that he's "well respected" in our area, and everyone told me I was a fool, basically, for not continuing with him. (DH and I even had a few fights about it at the time.) Not only that, his office called twice to find out "why I wasn't coming back." Bizarre experience. Oh, and he told me that based on his "expertise" my Onctotype score would come back high, and thus we had to start planning chemo "now." Well, it came back a 12, and my current onc says I'd get a zero benefit from chemo.

 Sorry if I bored you with my weird story, but let it serve as a cautionary tale. I doubt you'll run into this situation, but keep in mind that you have to have an advocate. (I had to do it for myself, but hopefully, you'll have someone to be there for you.) Always remember that it's your body, and you have to live with whatever treatment plan you choose.

Ironically, my PS has turned out to be the best doctor I've ever had. I've heard horror stories about "arrogant" surgeons, and I'm sure this guy has his moments, but I had to be hospitalized for an infection, and he took wonderful care of me. Was so nice when he came in to check on me every day. Go figure. I guess part of the experience of cancer is that you learn things.

CoolBreeze

I love my oncologist.  He'll spend an hour with me if I want it, and answers every question I would have. I don't know how come he spends so much time with me because I know his appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes, but I've definitely taken more time than that.  I have never once felt rushed.  He seems very compassionate.  He's kind of geeky, and I like geeks.

A couple of points - it's SOP to start chemo about a month after surgery unless there are complication.  Somebody above felt that was too long but that's the norm.  Surgery can set free some of those nasty little cancer cells so you want them killed immediately.

Also, it's not standard to do PET scans for early stagers. I  do see that some people get them though, and I don't know how or why.  It's not recommended.   I'm still doing herceptin, but my oncologist will be doing tumor marker tests after I'm done.  He has warned me that they are unreliable but he said they are better than nothing and can give a clue.  PET scans can give you unneeded radiatiion and have too many false positives to be used for all early stagers, so the oncologist associatiosn recommendation is to wait until you are symptomatic. Studies show that there is no benefit to finding mets early anyway.   There is an oncologists treatment decision tree online somewhere, I wish I'd booked marked it. 

Anyway, the important thing is to find somebody you trust and feel comfortable with.  You'll be seeing your oncologist for a long time so you might as well find somebody you like.

Unfortunately, there aren't any alternatives to tamoxifen at this point, unless you can take an AI.  The side effects of tamoxifen - for me, not everybody - are awful.  Terrible.  My doctor prescribes pain meds for it.  But, to my knowledge, the only other way to block estrogen is to take out the ovaries. I had enough surgery!  

Anyway, good luck!  In every specialty, there are good doctors and bad ones.  I found a great oncologist had had a horrible plastic surgeon.  I meet my new one (I hope) tomorrow,  9 months after my mastectomy.)

momofcuig

Susan,

hello again.....I haven't heard from you in a while

I just finished my first round of chemo last week. It was WAY more severe than I had expected but I have survived!!!

If I can help you in any way please contact me. I worked as a nurse in Boston for 14 years and long to be there now for the expert medical care but.....this is not an option for me. Now that I have settled in Ireland with my husband and young family......moving everyone across the ocean is not happpening!! And besides I am quite happy here.

So although I find myself constantly comparing medical care here to there......I am doing fine and feel very confident in my team here.

I love my oncologist. Young, smart, open to questions, gentle and a good listener. Because I am er/pr positive the doc's are recommending tamoxifen for me but.....I also have a risk of blood clots which is a SE of the Tamoxifen. My oncologist is very open to me trying alternative treatments and is willing to send me to one of the experts in Dublin for another opinion. I trust him and  that makes a huge difference.

Let us know how you get on........ 

Isla

I have a fairly unique situation with my Breast surgeon - his own wife has had BC (quite young about 38 ish when their kids were 12 /10 yrs old)

He has a fantastic empathy having actually experienced it in his life.  He tackles all the subjects some Dr won't discuss, he hugs and jokes with you.  Just seems to hit the right note all the time - I can only imagine cos of his past experience.  The first time I had an appointment 'bald' during chemo instead of ignoring that fact I'm wearing a hat he said " ohh you've lost your hair, lets see what you look like .. oh what a great shaped head you have, you look fantastic" and then insisted on calling in his nurse to admire my sexy head!

I love him, I trust him, he's a wonderful surgeon and a great guy .. I'm lucky.