At what point in the process did you meet with a RO?

dcdrogers

I had neoadjuvant chemo (TCHP) and will be having a BMX on May 4th. I've met with a plastic surgeon already who will be working with my BS in the operating room to hopefully have direct-to-implants if my skin condition looks good. Both my BS and MO say that it is likely I'll need radiation (at least 1 positive node, but they can't provide me with a definitive answer yet regarding radiation. I'm just now wondering if I should meet with a RO before surgery or if it makes more sense to wait until the pathology report comes back before scheduling a meeting. Anyone meet with the RO after having surgery? If so, did it work out for you time-wise or do you wish you had scheduled an appointment before surgery?

Thanks

~Dee

ChiSandy

I first met with my RO three weeks post-op, for the initial consult and treatment plan. The CT scanning and mapping took place at 4 weeks, and I began treatment at about 6 weeks. (Would have been sooner had my SNB incision not failed and the seroma beneath it not burst). Good idea to see the path report on the node, but simply consulting with an RO before surgery doesn’t lock you into having radiation, nor does it establish a timetable set in stone. If a consult would be premature, a conscientious RO will tell you that. From what I’ve read here, reconstruction with implants is easier to do on skin that hasn’t been radiated yet.

Kicks

I first met with my RO 5 days after DX. I had met with my Surgeon 3 days after DX and my MO 6 days after DX. DX had been the day after mammo, US and biopsies. Started neoadjuvant DD A/C 17 days after DX. 2 weeks til UMX and then 3 weeks til starting 12 weekly Taxol and a week later started rads.

I know there are so many variables when it comes to our individual TX plans, but to me, it only makes sense to meet with all of the Team before starting any TX as it is a joint effort to get the best outcome/prognosis.

lovepugs77

I had a consult with the RO before surgery, but I had LX rather than MX

dcdrogers

Thanks everyone. I think I'll see if I can get an appointment before surgery even though I think the pathology report from surgery will be needed. Both my BS and MO seem to think it's likely I'll need rads but neither can say for sure until after surgery.

A consult would give me the opportunity to meet the RO to see if we will mesh and to also ask questions. I'm extremely pleased with my current team and want to make sure the RO will be a good fit.

Lexicoe

I'm guessing the node is on your left--same side as the lump? If so, you'll want to ask the RO if she/he does inspired breath hold technique to help offset the heart. I ended up having to change RO's before simulation because of that.

dcdrogers

@Lexico3 - yes....both enlarged nodes were on the same side as the lump/mass. Thanks for the suggestion. I have never heard of the technique, but it's going into my notebook with my other list of questions to ask the RO. I had already made a note to ask about risks to heart and lungs during rads, but will definitely ask specifically about the breath hold technique since this is the first I'm reading about it. Again, thanks for the tip.

~Dee