Second Opinion - worth it

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Hoolianama0508
Hoolianama0508 Member Posts: 162
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I just came back to Orlando from North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Center and feel so much better. I reside in Orlando and was diagnosed here on March 24, 09. Since then I naturally was freaking out about my future and was also skeptical and afraid of the suggested treatment from Orlando Cancer Institute.

I was stressed about going to NC however it was totally worth it. I was impressed with their thoroughness about my case and how willing they were to share information with Orlando. They gave me the thumbs up for Orlando should I choose to be treated there.

In realistic terms, I cannot be treated outside of Orlando, even Tampa's Moffit Center would be too far of a commute for me.  I just needed validation about treatment.

For anyone who is worried about whether to get a second opinion or not, I say that it is your choice. The doctors in Orlando thought it would be wasting time but I couldn't let them decide for me what to do.

This is my journey and as the hymn says, "nobody else can walk it for me, I have to walk it by myself"

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited April 2009

    Hi Hoolianama,

    I'm so glad you followed your gut and got that second opinion.  I did the same and although I stayed with the original oncologist, my mind was so much more relieved to hear another opinion that agreed with him.  As the onc said - "this is exactly what you should be doing, finding out as much as you can about all your options and then enter the fight with peace of mind".  I also had the hospital where I had my mastectomy done send my pathology slides to Mt. Sinai Hospital Breast Pathology Guru for a second opinion, which was also agreed with - I figured all my chemo was based on the pathology, so I wanted a second opinion on that too.  I'm a nurse, so I think I tend to over due the second opinion stuff sometimes, but you're right, it's your walk!

    Hugs to you

    Geri

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