Second opinion

Hi all, just wanted to share my experience today as I went to a different RO for a second opinion. First RO was elderly, didn't answer my questions and didn't explain why he was ordering 33 rads and that 28 of them were to be concentrated on my lymph nodes from the collarbone and down under the arm. I didn't want to increase chances of lymphadema and had read of many of you on this site that had far fewer rads for more serious cancers.

So, we come to today, totally different experience! The patient representative sat with us and xplained the entire process, we watched a short movie about radiation and how it works, then we talked to a nurse and then finally the doctor sat down and explained everything again and answered every question we had. Best of all, he said I only need 20 rad treatments and the only lymph nodes radiated were the ones on the specific area of the one affected node. I feel like I'm breathing for the first time in weeks.

Of course still waiting for oncotype score to come back, which was a total screw up by oncologist office, they ordered the tissue from the wrong hospital and never followed up. So, I wasted almost a whole month waiting for a score that was never ordered. Well, I called California myself this time and know they received it Tuesday. So, I will be following up on that myself this time!

All I keep thinking about though is that if I just accepted the doctor at the first office I would have had 13 un necessary treatments and on a much larger area than needed. So, just be your own advocate and good luck and love to you all.

Maryan