Interested first appointment with the RO

rn4babies · October 2011

I had my consultation with the RO today. As soon as I got in the room the nurse asked me about the clinical trial the MO had asked me to participate in. When I told her I was still undecided, she did her quick assessment and told me get undressed and the doctor would be in. He came in, shook my hand and immediately did a breast exam (I have to admit it was the best one I've ever had). He never spoke a word to me during this and then said "she's done" and walked out of the room. The nurse told me to get dressed and go to the consultation room. The first words he said was "Her2" Because of his thick accent, I couldn't quite understand what he said. The nurse again asked me about the clinical trial (it is a Herceptin clinical trial). I told her I was willing to participate in it but didn't want to delay my rads for it. I then told him of my concern of heart issues because it is the left breast, close to the chest wall. He just said "no concern". He told me the only possible side effect was some mild redness at the radiation site. I asked if fatigue was a possiblity and he emphatically said "NO!:" (That's not what my mother and aunt told me about their experience"). They again told me to think about the clinical trial and call them back. I was handed a folder and sent on my way. I feel like the clinical trial is all they were concerned about. For insurance reasons, I cannot go anywhere else. Is this the usual treatment or am I being overly sensitive? I walked out of there almost in tears!

rn4babies · October 2011

I meant to title my post "INTERESTING" first appt with the RO" My fingers weren't working so well!

LuvRVing · October 2011

You really can't get a different RO? This one is horrible. Last year when I had my first consultation with an RO, he spent an hour with us. I just had a consultation with one in NH (we moved and I had a recurrence) and he spent an hour.

You are not being over sensitive and no, this is not the treatment I have experienced.

(((Hugs)))

Michelle

rn4babies · October 2011

I cannot get another RO because I have a home host BC/BS plan. If I go out of the "network" I have a $5,000 deductible and 20% copay after that. There's no way I can afford that!

AmyIsStrong · October 2011

That sounds very unsatisfactory. I wonder if you can call and ask to speak to the nurse - tell her that you are concerned about the language barrier and wondered if she were able to give you any additional info/answer questions. Or maybe even sit in on the next appt.

I know this isn't a great solution, just grasping at straws here to see if there isn't SOME way to get your needs met. This is a lousy situation. I'm sorry.

(PS - I had absolutely no fatigue during rads.)

rn4babies · October 2011

The nurse was present. She just repeated what he was saying. She also pushed the clinical trial.

Leah_S · October 2011

rn4babies, did you call your insurance and ask if there's anyone else who is in network? Tell them you had an appt and you feel he is giving you incorrect information and you're worried that all he wants to do is enroll you in a clinical trial that you are not sure you want. Send up some red flags for them and see if they can help you.

And, yes, he did give you incorrect information. Most women do have fatigue - it's the most common side effect of rads. And "mild redness" happens to some women but serious, severe burns happen to others. Ask your insurance how you can be expected to sign a form giving your "informed consent" when you are incorrectly informed?

Best of luck.

Leah

cycle-path · October 2011

ROs don't tend to have what I'd call Cocktail Party Personalities. That being said, it sounds like the guy you went to really needs a couple of drinks! Although I don't like the sound of what he said at all, it seems to me that most of the doctor complaints we see here on BCO are about ROs. They're just not very endearing folks.

Does your plan allow you to get a second opinion? If so, perhaps that would at least give you some peace of mind.

rn4babies · October 2011

I'm also afraid he'll refuse to fill out my intermittent FMLA form just in case I'm the one rare person that may experience some fatigue and want a day off from work. FYI, I NEVER call off work. I've missed 3 days in 15 years. I was afraid to ask them about it today.

Maire67 · October 2011

Sorry you met such an inept doc. I was fortunate and my doc was so kind. I am very fair and he was concerned about burning...I had none...he checked me at every treatment.

I worked through rads but managed to schedule appts at the end of the day so I would leave work early taking 1 hr. FMLA. and have treatment and be able to go home and rest and wear just a tshirt. It was doable but I had a good support.

Kay_G · October 2011

I agree with cycle-path, RO's seem to be less endearing types than MO's. "At least mine definitely is. He also did a very thorough breast exam when I saw him the first time. I thought he was going to lift me off the table when he was feeling my lymph nodes. He was very matter of fact at my first appointment, but nothing like what you experienced, just not warm and fuzzy. Now that I am in the midst of rads, I've seen him several more times and he is warming up some. I guess it just takes him a little while to get comfortable with some patients. He did tell me fatigue was a side effect of rads at first appointment and addressed other things like the heart and lungs. They are possible side effects, but very rarely. Before you start rads, I am pretty sure you will have to sign a consent form which will list possible side effects and these will be listed there.

Your plan only has one RO on it? Are you sure about that? I would call them and let them know about the language barrier, the pushing of the study and the incorrect info on possible side effects and tell them you do not feel comfortable.

Interested first appointment with the RO

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