Want input on my dilemma please

LindaVA

I had a mastectomy for DCIS after unclear margins from a lumpectomy in 2004. Two years latter I came up with BC in the axillary nodes. I decided to go to Duke Cancer Center 2 1/2  hours away for treatment. I have been doing well as far as I know for 5 years now. My oncologist, who just treats BC, does not do tumor markers as a routine and quit doing blood work a year ago. I am being followed every 6 months.

For going on 3 weeks I've had this pain in my front upper left thigh that feels like bone pain, it is a dull ache when sitting or lying down and severe stabbing pain every time I take a step when walking. After a week I went to my family doctor. He x-rayed my hip and said he thought there might be a little arthritis. The radiologist report came back and it said there was limited arthritis. I don't dought that I have arthritis, I just can't believe this severe pain is coming from a little arthritis in the hip. If it is, I need a hip replacement asap!! My Doctor gave me a script for Voltaren and said if it wasn't better in a week or so I should call my oncologist to see if he wants to do a bone scan.The Voltaren does absolutely nothing for this pain.

I did call the oncologist after another week and not improving and he wanted me to get a bone scan and x-ray of the femur and see him. The problem is that the earliest this can be done is May 4th. Almost a month away. That's a long time to wait when I am worried that it might be bone mets plus the pain is disabling. My good friend and some of my family are pressuring me to try to get in to see an ortopaedic doctor locally and not wait until my scheduled tests and appointment with the oncologist.

I know that my Dr. was not pleased that I got my last mammogram locally instead of at the Cancer Center. He said I needed to decide if I wanted to be followed there or not. If I did follow my friends and families advice and it did turn out to be bone mets, I'm afraid he might say to find another oncologist.

I would appreciate knowing what your thoughts are on this.

dlb823

Linda, I have a few ideas.... First, can you call Duke back and ask to be contacted if they have a sooner cancellation?  Or maybe find out how soon a scan could be done locally and call your Duke onc with that info and ask for his agreement to just do the scan locally with results sent to him?  In other words, let the okay to have the scan locally (due to your pain level) come from him so that he doesn't feel left out.  Given this option, he may be able to shake loose a sooner app't. for you with his radiology dept. 

I'm also wondering, since your onc doesn't do any tumor marker followup, if you could ask your family doc to order a CA27-29.  It's not always 100% accurate, which is why some oncs don't routinely do them; but it might ease your mind if you know your markers aren't elevated.  

Good luck, and please let us know what happens.    Deanna