When can you schedule an MO appt? before surgery?

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HereToHelpMyMom
HereToHelpMyMom Member Posts: 38
edited May 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My mother has a mastectomy scheduled for next week. Is it typical to call NOW to schedule an appt with an MO for 2 weeks after the surgery, or will they only put us on the calendar after we have the surgery results?

thanks all :-)

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited May 2019

    My BS arranged my first appt with the MO, but it wasn't until about a month after surgery. There's really no rush--you need to be healed up pretty well before starting anything else. You might ask if they typically arrange that or if you should do it on your own. (Sorry--I just realized that wasn't very clear. They made the call about my initial MO appt when they were scheduling my surgery, but it wasn't until about a month after the surgery. It might be longer following a mastectomy--I just had a lumpectomy.)

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited May 2019

    It varies. I'd already been referred to an MO by my PCP because of hinky bloodwork and rapid weight loss (the MO is also a hematologist). Luckily, it was the same MO my breast surgeon referred me to. So all I had to do was shuffle the first appointment date.

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  • mom2bunky
    mom2bunky Member Posts: 189
    edited May 2019

    I just returned from my postsurgical appointment to get final pathology and the breast surgeon has set me up with MO in June. I was ready to ask and there it was

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited May 2019

    That makes it so much easier, doesn't it? So far, each of my doctors have referred me to the next, so I haven't had to do any doc hunting on my own.

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  • mom2bunky
    mom2bunky Member Posts: 189
    edited May 2019

    Alice,

    Yes it really does. I just hope I like her. But really, everyone has been wonderful so far, so good chance she’ll be the same.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited May 2019

    mom2bunky, you don't have to stay with the oncologist you were referred to if you don't want to. The oncologist I was referred to had too busy of a practice and also didn't have a good bedside manner, so to speak. I had a second opinion and loved the oncologist. Still seeing him after 10 years.

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  • mom2bunky
    mom2bunky Member Posts: 189
    edited May 2019

    Thanks cowgirl. That’s good to know. Or rather, to have it confirmed

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  • FindingOptimism
    FindingOptimism Member Posts: 67
    edited May 2019

    I found the timing of the MO appointment to be a little confusing so I think this is a good question to ask. My RO wanted a decision from the MO regarding chemo before they began the radiation, but my MO appointment wasn't for another week so radiation waited. I would say you want to time the MO appointment to be soon after the Oncotype results are expected to be available and after the pathology from the surgery is available, perhaps 3 weeks after surgery.

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  • GreenHarbor
    GreenHarbor Member Posts: 265
    edited May 2019

    I did schedule an appointment with my MO before surgery. She presented my treatment options (based on my stereotactic needle biopsy) and answered my questions. The appointment was just a conversation, since final treatment decisions would be based on the post-surgical biopsy results. (I had a lumpectomy). I felt MUCH calmer once I had met her; peace of mind is important. I also was able to decide if I liked her treatment approach and bedside manner.
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  • jdavis817
    jdavis817 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2019

    I have had a MO oncologist for years for a blood disoreder, so it was easy to get in to see him and discuss this new diagnosis. He said after the surgery he wanted to see me in two to three weeks to go over next steps.

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