Is there something wrong with my Oncologist?

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MENA1954
MENA1954 Member Posts: 194
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I went to see my Oncologist for the first time on sept. 19! After reading the pathology report my BS sent her, we decided that no other treatment would be beneficial for me except 5 yrs. of Arimidex!  She did add that after she looked at the slides from the pathology,  if there was any questions that I needed chemo she would let me know!She also wrote this info to my PCP!

I told her that after taking Nexium for most of my life, I knew from a Scan done 6 yrs. ago, that I already have osteopenia and Osteoperosis!

We discussed the option of using Reclast if needed in the future.

She never mentioned getting an up to date Bone Scan done now,  so that we could see going forward how my bones were reacting to the arimidex.

Of course me being very proactive, I called my PCP and had him give me a script for a new Bone Scan.

WOW! The results are scary!  Everything is above -3 ! I had the Radiologist sent a copy to my Oncologist so that she was aware of what was going on with my bones!

I called her office today to ask for a copy of my blood work done in sept. and to mention the Bone Scan Report!

The person I spoke to said

" Didn't the DR. call you to discuss them with you?"

 " I said no, she has not called me!" 

 She said " No problem, but I need to make sure the DR. has seen the report from the blood work and the Bone Scan"

Heck, it has been 5 weeks since I saw her!  Do I assume NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS, or do I assume she's NOT AS GREAT as I THOUGHT!!!!

My next appointment to see her is the middle of December!

Mena

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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited October 2012

    My phiolsophy is never to assume that no news is good news.    If I don't hear from my doctor there is no way for me to know if everything is OK or if there is something to be concerned about and the information just fell between the cracks.  I think that forgetting to call one time doesn't make your doctor horrible but I would point out the error and I would expect an apology.  If this is just the way she tends to handles things  - I would find another doctor. I would also want a sit down discussion with the oncologist about all my options if a bone scan was  -3....  bone building medications, the posibility of taking tamoxifen (which protects against bone loss) vs using an aromitase inhibitor etc.

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  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited October 2012

    When a test or procedure is ordered I've learned to ask how long it will take to get the results,who will review the results, how will I be notified of the results good or bad. I also state that I want a written copy of the results.

    I would call and ask for an appointment to discuss your test results and to talk about the effects your medication is having on your bones and what can be done to strengthen your bones. I would request a Dexa scan to evaluate your bone loss & discuss what can be done to strenthen your bones. 

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  • MENA1954
    MENA1954 Member Posts: 194
    edited October 2012

    Thank you for your input!

    Funny how the day that I met my oncologist , after she told me that I

    Would not be needing Chemo, nothing else seemed important to me! I did not think of anything else that needed to be addressed and discussed! No Chemo! I had won the jackpot, all my prayers had been answered.

    Arimidex seemed like a small price to pay and bone loss would be taken care of with Reclast!



    As far as my blood work is concerned, I have the copy of the one done at Pre op and everything was ok!



    I wanted a copy of the one the oncologist did , just to keep it in my file and not because I thought something might be wrong!



    I was more concerned about her not calling me to discuss the Results from the DEXA scan !



    Lets see what happens in the next couple if days !

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