second time round and very confused.

Labakes · January 2017

hi my name is lisa I'm from the uk and just been told I have breast cancer again in the opposite breast,i had breast cancer in 2009 and had a lumpectomy followed by chemo and radiotherapy.

I didn't have the best experience with the hospital where I had my operation and chemo lots of mistakes made and the way I was dealt with and talked to has left me with little faith and respect for them departments in the hospital.

I had my last treatment at another hospital which was lovely and lots of understanding health care workers that made me feel like a person and not just another number.

I have been seen at the hospital which I had my first lot of treatment first time around when I had cancer last time but a different surgeon,im currently recovering from a breast reduction and lump removed,my next step in treatment is chemo and I had requested to go to a different hospital for this treatment and was refused this by my surgeon because she doesn't like dealing with this particular hospital and told if I need radio again then it will be again not the hospital of my choice.

this has made me feel very angry as I feel that I should be able to make this choice myself and know from my last experience how much better my care was at my requested hospital,plus they are a hospital with more specialist people that deal with cancer patients.

at the moment as well I'm unsure if I want to put my body through chemo I'm worried about the health effects in the future that I will have if I have chemo a second time round.

is there anyone I can chat to that has been in a similar postionn to me.

feeling very alone,confused and unsure if I should get second op on my care and how to go about it.

Moderators · January 2017

Labakes, what a dilemma for you! Based on what you are saying, you may find comfort in another opinion, as you mention. It seems like there are alot of decisions you'll need to make. Please know you are NOT alone. We're all here, and many members have had similar issues! Keep us posted!

hugz4u · January 2017

I had a real rude surgeon and so I said nicely to my onc that I would like to switch surgeons to dr.... as I was not comfortable with the current surgeon. It worked. The key words to use is. not comfortable it's a term they should and usually understand. I researched the new surgeon and gave the name so it made the switch easier for my Onc. Of course my onc was not excited and said something to the fact that it wasn't considered politically correct to do. Maybe the surgeons take turns at getting OR time in and the rude one would have to wait a turn again. Who knows?

Emily2008 · January 2017

Seeing as how you're in the UK, I don't know if my experience dealing with health care in the US will help much. I adore my team of doctors: oncologist, breast surgeon, and plastic surgeon. Even so, I still got second and third opinions to make sure that I was getting the correct advice. So even in the best of circumstances a second opinion is wise. Considering the trauma of going through breast cancer twice, I would definitely want to have a team of doctors who I felt comfortable talking with and who don't ignore how I feel.

Good luck!

Hopeful82014 · January 2017

Hi, Lisa - I'm so sorry you're in this situation again, much less having to deal with a treatment location that you've had bad experiences with.

As Emily said, above, those of us in the USA probably can't help a lot (other than the encouragement to get a 2nd opinion). However, since you'll be seeing much more of your MO than your BS, could you possibly just ignore the surgeon's feelings about the matter and ask to be treated by the MO and hospital of your preference? Does your system allow this?

Good luck with all of it, Lisa. Do pop in here anytime you need support or to vent. I'm sure some of the members from the UK will be along to help, too.

bluepearl · January 2017

Hi Lisa. I had breast cancer a second time in other breast. I live in Canada. I was sick and tired of being tossed about I went online and found a rapid access breast cancer hospital in Vancouver B.C. Then I went into the local clinic and asked for the doctor on call. I had all my info printed out and told this doctor that I need help right now and didn't feel comfortable with the local surgeon (who couldn't perform a correct sentinel node biopsy either) and asked to be referred there. Said doctor did so right away, got a call that afternoon, had an appointment set up a few days later and another few days later, had the surgery. It probably helped that I had gone into emergency first time around with a nervous breakdown and suicidal thoughts....those things go on charts.....but it all worked out for me. Also, a second diagnosis is not a death sentence either. Well, I hope not anyways. BTW, same hospital here couldn't get my dates right for removing my drains so looked it up in Mayo Clinic and did it myself...do not recommend anyone follow my footsteps here but you sure get independently minded after awhile as a cancer patient. Be firm but be cordial. Wishing you good things ahead and hope you will have this all resolved to your satisfaction!!! (((HUGS))))

dAd · January 2017

Hi Lisa: I'm so sorry you are having to face this again with the added worry of not wanting to be treated by your former surgeon. For what it's worth, when I was first diagnosed the surgeon I saw made me very uncomfortable so I asked my PCP what I should do. She suggested a surgeon (one of the top BC docs in this country) so I asked her to see if he would take me. I received a call the next day from his office and had an appointment the day after that. My surgery was two weeks later.

I don't know what the protocols are in the UK but isn't there any way around what seems to be an excessively rigid system? Are you too far from London to access care there somehow?

Anne

second time round and very confused.

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