Radiation Oncologist - Central New Jersey

FastWalker

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has been to one of the following radiation oncologists and can make a recommendation:

1. Dr. Alison Grann (St. Barnabas)

2. Dr. Sang Sim (Monmouth Medical)

3. Dr. Edward Soffen (Princeton Radiation Oncology)

They are all very nice. Dr. Grann is kind of far from me. Dr. Sim is the only one who recommends prone radiation - I wonder if I am better off with prone or supine (on my back). I have right sided breast cancer with one positive lymph node. (My breasts are also on the small side.) Dr. Soffen is the closest, but I would see a different doctor each week. (They rotate between 3 doctors at my location.) I think I prefer the same doctor each time. . . I was told to find the best doctor, the best practice with the best machines. (Now I feel like I need to learn about radiation machines!) . . .Ugh - the decisions!

Thanks all!

FastWalker

Anyone?

AnniebNJ

I am finishing with Princeton Radiation Oncology this week, and I cannot speak more highly of them. I was a patient of Dr. Pepek but saw multiple doctors throughout the six weeks. I went to CentraState and it was state of the art.

GOOD LUCK!

FastWalker

AnniebNJ: Hi! Thanks so much for your response. I had my simulation with Dr. Sim this past Thursday. I go back for dress rehearsal this coming Thursday and start rads on Monday. I had a tough time choosing between #2 and #3! I ultimately went with Dr. Sim because he does the prone position for the majority of his breast cancer patients. (Prone is supposed to reduce radiation to the heart and lungs.) Did you get radiation prone (on your stomach) or supine (on your back)?

AnniebNJ

Hi there! I was able to be in the prone position, except for boosts, since I am larger than a b cup. I am not sure it would have been an option if I was smaller. I had virtually no side effects, just a bit red and some minor tiredness at the end. I did not have chemo so that probably helped. They told me to use Aveeno intense moisturizer cream, not lotion, in a jar and it worked wonders. I hope you fly through treatment like I did.

FastWalker

Hi AnniebNJ! Glad you got prone and that everything went well. Thanks - will check out the Aveeno cream in the jar. (I love their products in general.) My doctor suggested aquaphor and calendula by boiron homeopathy. . . Yeah, some doctors don't like to do prone on smaller breasted women. I am between a "b cup" and a "c cup" but my doctor said size didn't matter. . . BTW, I go to the gym at CentraState. Love it! Just be careful to avoid Route 537 between 6pm and 6am this week because only one lane is open due to paving. I just got home from the gym and the traffic was not budging at all. . . Thanks so much - hope I sail through too! Your story gives me hope. (I didn't have chemo either -- I hear there is less skin reaction without it.)

Luttece

hi Annie!

I'm glad everything went well for you. May I ask what was your Oncotype score