Hi Guys.... Lost.....

LittleGrammieTre

I am wondering what kind of support you have had as far as treatment....I do not have a go between for info....It seems no one knows? I had surgeon...then onco said no chemo again due to prior (7 yrs ago and comorbids) sent me to onco rad...they do not follow blood work etc....just cook u...have a pretty non existent primary...

Who watches my blood work, orders them, orders anything.......my counts tanked before mast and complications...I do not even know who to ask about a fake boob!????

What MD is supposta do what?

2 more weeks of rads....this is abc round 2 and have no clear understanding....and too tired to read all the posts.

Need a virtual hugg....soooo alone in this hotel and MD offices and those machines...I am the hugger...but I need one now!

Couldnt write before because I broke my rib and finger in the middle of this.....LOL...It is getting funny...

Prayers for all

T

exbrnxgrl

Sorry that you have to be here, but welcome. Once your surgeon has discharged you (i.e. no more post surgical visits needed) she/he is usually out of the picture. At that point , your medical oncologist, mo, is the driver of your treatment plan, bloodwork, imaging, etc. If radiation is recommended, a radiation oncologist, ro, is in charge of that but should be coordinating with your mo.

Many medical groups and hospitals have patient navigators or something similar to help you with these things. Please contact your mo to ask if similar services are available to you. That being said, there are quite likely some variations to this as different medical facilities and care providers may handle things somewhat differently. Take care.

AliceBastable

At the facility I used, the navigator works out of the breast center, which includes imaging, biopsies, and surgeons. The MO and RO are with the same hospital group, but not directly connected with the breast center. So it does vary. Try to think of the different people you've encountered in the offices, and if there was one you found especially helpful or friendly, call them and ask for help getting everything more coordinated. Even if they can't personally do it, they'll be able to connect you with someone who can.

flashlight

LittleGrammieTre, Do you have a medical oncologist? Do you see a nurse or a doctor for your weekly radiation skin checks? You can ask at that appointment how you can get in touch with a nurse navigator. Or you can ask at your MO's office and they can help you. As far as labs it seems it is different for MO's. If you are not getting chemo most MO's leave labs up to your primary doctor. I changed my MO and my new one now orders some labs so I try to coordinate them with my PCP.

DeniseML

Little Grannietre: The SO approached the options I had re: reconstruction and referred me to the Plastic Surgeon prior to the mastectomy. I would start by asking the SO for plastic surgeon referral to whoever he/she works with at that facility. I was told the SO was the Oncologist in charge of my case going forward and was provided a "nurse navigator" to contact with questions, concerns and needed help whenever I needed to. Ask if someone is available like that for you? If not, then I would consider the SO's nurse as my go-to person since SO was in charge of my case and treatment from time of diagnosis.

a Virtual HUG coming your way! keep blogging. Promise there is LIGHT at the end of the tunnel you find yourself in right now! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers !!