How important is the comfort level you have with the drs nurse?

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teaka123
teaka123 Member Posts: 95
edited August 2019 in Just Diagnosed

The breast surgeon I've seen is very good and was easy to talk with, however I'm not keen on his assistant - I think nurse. She was okay when I met her, but that was it. Just got off the phone with her now and wasn't thrilled with the response. Told her I had a couple of questions I didn't ask when I met the dr that would be helpful now as I figure out what the timeframe is for my surgical plans are to be. One question I had not asked is about timing. Would he recommend I get my surgery in the next month, two months or three months. The nurse went on to explain that some women want to take care of things right away because they don't want to put it off. I told her I'm not concerned with the emotional aspects, but physically when should things be done. I don't want my DCIS to change to to something else. We went around on this a couple of times. She also asked me when I wanted to see the plastic surgeon. I said that I had not gone through this before so I didn't know, but I would think it would not be until after I had the MRI and genetic testing results back. Maybe it was an off day for her, but if I have to deal with his nurse much it will be a challenge for me.

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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited April 2019

    myusername

    I felt the EXACT same way you did with my BS nurse. I’m thinking I love this surgeon but this nurse and me totally do NOT click!!

    Once you have your surgery, you will have little to no interaction with her. At least that is my experience. I visit with my BS every six months and literally her nurse walks me to my exam room and that’s it.

    But your BS should be guiding the ship at this juncture on timing of surgery and you should meet with a couple of PS because you may be spending a lot time at that office. You need to trust and like that group! That’s if you opt for reconstruction!!

    Good luc

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2019

    Yeah, if you like and trust the doctor, you're winning. You will have little interaction with a doctor's assistant beyond the initial stages (i.e., surgery scheduling and insurance authorization, etc). But your relationship with the doctor will be more long term. Previous poster is right...get past the surgery and the nurse/assistant will only check you into the exam room. And medical staff like nurses and assistants really tend to come and go...

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  • teaka123
    teaka123 Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2019

    Thank you gb2115 and CBK. I do like the doctor. He called me early evening yesterday to go over my questions and again today with my genetic testing results (good news there).

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  • Simbobby
    Simbobby Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2019

    Hi My,

    I have found that throughout this journey you often have to be your own advocate. Just make sure you take care of you. If you find the relationship with the nurse to be uncomfortable or he/she is not meeting your needs, or answering your questions, just ask them to have the Dr. give you a buzz.

    Sometimes that’s all it takes.

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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited April 2019

    myusername

    Fantastic news on the genetic testing! Congratulations.

    I felt like my BS nurses thought they were her gatekeeper; glad you are having the communication you deserve.

    Wishing you the very best of everything going forward!!

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

    The surgeon's nurse? I barely remember her and it was less than a year ago, plus I think she was there to take my vitals at my 6-month check-up. Now the MO's nurse is someone you'll probably have in your life for a longer time, and it's nice if he/she is someone you connect with.

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  • teaka123
    teaka123 Member Posts: 95
    edited August 2019

    Follow-up to my original posting. My thoughts on the nurse were right. I called to ask the Dr about my pathology results following my mastectomy. Person answering the phone said the Dr was not in, but the nurse was and did I want to speak with her. I said no I would wait for the Dr. The person on the phone then asked "are you sure she is walking by right now?" I said no thank you I would talk with my Dr. the next day. About 30 mins later the nurse called me to give me the results. Per her call everything was great and I was in the clear, etc. I was very happy and let my family and friends know. About an hour later (about 7:00 pm) the Dr called and told me he thought maybe the nurse had left something out. That something was a .7 cm spot of HER2+ discovered within the DCIS pathology report. It was no little something. Let the Dr. know the background story and that I had specifically said I wanted to talk with him. Sigh.

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited August 2019

    my friend and I were diagnosed with DCIS within a month of each other, we chose different surgeons and radiology groups but the same medical oncologist who was part of a trial for DCIS patients who tested HER2+ - to then be placed in a control group and over the course of our radiation get 2? infusions of herceptin, Since neither of us had been tested for this, it would involve sending our samples to a different pathology group and for me at least changing radiology groups. Both of us declined and when we talked about it, it was due not only to the delays it would necessitate in our starting radiation,and for me changing ROs but also to the fact that the MO's nurse in charge of the study logistics was a cold witch. I doubt if any patients opted to participate from his practice. Ten years on, I still see my MO once a year and I never had to see that nurse again.

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