How many specialists do you have?

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pupmom
pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I'm starting to lose count! Let's see: Breast Surgeon; Oncologist; Radiological Oncologist; Plastic Surgeon; Endocrinologist; Hematologist; and a Skeletal/Muscular guy. Contrary to what I originally thought, it seems that after active treatment the office visits don't end. For instance I will be seeing the BS and RO for more visits (not sure exactly how many). Even though my blood count issue has been adequately resolved I still need to see the Hematologist for an indeterminate amount of time. Between visiting all these docs and getting their accompanying blood work and scans I practically live in the hospital! Just wondering if others have so many specialists. Or am I just "lucky?"

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  • jenn333
    jenn333 Member Posts: 178
    edited July 2012

    Initially, it was BS, PS, MO, RO, integrative onc, internist, gyn.  Now it's MO, integrative onc, internist and gyn.  MO is every 4 months, internist and gyn once a year.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    Good to know you can lose a few in time. I'd started to wonder. Seems the more time that goes by the more I collect!

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  • edot
    edot Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2012

    In Switzerland, surgeries are done by gyns trained in imaging and surgery. So I have my gyn and mo, and primary care doc. Every 3 mos for each. I've lost rad onc, endocrinologist, and psychiatrist. Will be adding an ortho for my knee (not related to breast cancer). Last year between January and October, I had a doctor's appointment every week, sometimes more than one in a week.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited July 2012

    I now have BS, PS, MO, Gyn Onc, PCP and I think that's it. My MO is a hematologist, so she covers that end of things too. I did have a consult with an RO, but ended up not needing rads. I also had a consult with a genetic counselor when we did the BRAC testing. I don't think I'll be losing any of them anytime soon - hope to see less of them over time. The PS is most now as I just had surgery, but the BS and GynOnc are every 6 months, the MO is every 3 months right now.

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  • cyano
    cyano Member Posts: 67
    edited July 2012

    Let's see, BS, Onc, radio, ENT, gyn, ps, gastro, hem, ortho and PCP. Then again I have colitis and some other health issues which are complicating treatment. Also saw a genetic counsellor.

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  • ridergirl
    ridergirl Member Posts: 443
    edited July 2012

    Right now i have a PCP, GS, MO, RO, GYN and one in palliative care for pain management. When my phone rings now its more likely to be a drs office or hospital than anything else. Living the dream :-)

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited July 2012

    BS,PS,Onc, genetic counselor, PT, lymph therapist,Orthopedic dr, naturopathic dr, dietician, PCP,GYN,rheumatologist, accupuncture, yoga therapist, eye dr and dentist.



    I just changed insurance and had to give new info to everyone.

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  • DocBabs
    DocBabs Member Posts: 775
    edited July 2012

    I used to think that I was quite healthy but I must admit when I look at my list of health care providers . It would appear to be the opposite.

    BS, PS, oncologist, Orthopedist,Gyno,Urologist,Gastrenterologist,Endodontist,Dentist, and my latest, Hand surgeon.

    I think as one grows older it takes many more people to keep you going.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2012

    After I had my lung collapse, I added thoracic surgeon to my team. Never even knew what one was! No longer need to see my RO and and since I had a clean PET in May, will wait 6 months before seeing mo. Of course, all bets are off if I have any symptoms. I did recently graduate from pt, which was very helpful but I am so glad to have only two standing appts. per month (blood draw/port flush, infusion). Caryn

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    Doc, I agree, but getting cancer certainly puts the specialist list into overdrive!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2012

    I often laugh when I say "my plastic surgeon". I never thought I'd have a plastic surgeon because I would have never used one for cosmetic reasons. It really cracks me up.

    Caryn

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2012

    I just got a brand new shiny specialist in spine problems! So, the story is, since abut 7 years ago I've had intermittent pain in my right leg. Sometimes it was so bad I could hardly move. Anyway, it's gotten much worse after my cancer diagnosis (some docs think it could be from the meds). I could hardly walk at times. I've had x-rays in the past, but because of the ca dx I had MRIs ordered, which diagnosed me with a herniated disc. So now, woohoo, I get to add another notch on my specialist belt! 

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  • susan3
    susan3 Member Posts: 3,728
    edited September 2012

    to add to the list, oncology dentist and podiatrist. luckily their are all in the same building. my oncologist(primary) says, he gives me the treatments that causes more problems, then sends me to someone else to fix them.lol  i have never stopped to count, maybe i should

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  • Cottontail
    Cottontail Member Posts: 374
    edited February 2013

    I have a breaast surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. Also, a physical therapist and a gynecologist. Possibly a plastic surgeon (I've consulted with one but may not get PS).



    Non-cancer related, I see an Ear Nose and Throat specialist and an allergist. Also a dentist and eye doctor.



    I do not have a primary care provider. (My insurance doesn't require referrals, and I'd rather go straight to a specialist than waste time seeing a PCP.)

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited September 2012

     I have now added a Neurologist and Physical Therapist, although they are probably short term, to address non-bc related back issues. Still, it gets tiring sitting in doctors' offices all the time. Sigh.

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