Forum Discussion

Chevvy's avatar
Chevvy
Member
5 years ago

Drs have conflicting views..

Hi all, really appreciate any advice on this one, have no idea which way to go. Had hormone receptive tumour, small 1.1cm, did surgery, radiation... then medical oncologist said need no more treatment..this is contrary to surgeon, gp and radiation oncologist who all think hormone therapy (Tamoxifen) is necessary.. but won't stand those opinions up to medical oncologist. Went back to med onc, asked to go on hormone therapy,  I want to do everything I can to prevent bc coming back. He said side effects can be brutal, only improves chances by 1%, not worth it, if it comes back deal with it then... was horrid in his words, acted like bc was a nothing. He was a complete pratt.  Anyways I got script, Tamoxifen, doing pretty good, only side effect really is dizziness...so am blessed compared to most... however dizziness quite bad, had 3 falls now, in last fall fractured cheek bone and multiple cuts and grazes. Went back and asked for some medication for dizziness side effect. Got told... Tamoxifen not worth it, just stop taking it... like wtf... I wasn't complaining, I want to do everything I can to stop this dreaded disease recurring, just needed a hand with the side effects. I'm scared to not take Tamoxifen, feel like I wouldn't be helping myself.. I know its not a guarantee but surely buying yourself a bit more of a chance is better than doing nothing.... drs have got me really confused and acting like I'm bringing side effects on myself. Is anyone else with hormone receptor tumour doing hormone therapy... or have you also been told side effects outweigh doing it. I had thought HT was pretty standard. Can I also throw into the mix I've had 2 melanomas as well as multiple squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers, so clearly cancer cells are quite prevalent in my body in different forms... hence whilst trying to help myself with this bc. Would so appreciate hearing anyone else's story on what their oncologist has got them doing... 
Many thanks for taking the time to read this... 😊
coping
d
tamoxifen
  • Chevvy's avatar
    Chevvy
    Member
    5 years ago
    100% correct, no confidence in him at all, ...first meeting didn't go well,  he was busy chewing a hang nail from his finger...which he then pulled out from between his teeth and placed on his mobile phone... not even in bin... I kid you not and with God as my witness this was what took place... wish I'd known then that I had options to go somewhere else.  I look at what is written on this site and think, crikey, I have none of that knowledge.  My onc made decisions for me, and when I asked to discuss his decisions with my family was told it was not their decision to make. He didnt do chemo, i'm assuming  I didn't need it, but he said that most patients on chemo get infections and then loose their fight due to infection, not the cancer...had to fight and stomp my feet just to get on Tamoxifen after the radiation...and then he wrote a letter to my gp declaring I had refused treatment.!!! Almost like he had me confused with another patient.  He has made a difficult journey even more difficult cause now i don't know, and never will, if better decisions and treatments options could have been made..specially considering my cancer history. I asked my original gp back in January to refer me to someone else, but he bloody carried on and didn't want to get involved. They all seem to think this oncologist is some kind of superhero...if only they were in appt room to see what hes really like with patients..... Drs covering each other's backs.!! I have limited knowledge of my cancer cause he didn't explain much to me and I didn't know what to ask, although I am learning now thanks to you lovely ladies sharing your knowledge, wisdom and advice with me. I'm just sorry that for you all to be able to do that ..you've had to go through the whole bc journey yourselves... 
    A new oncologist is definitely what's now going to take place. .. and will def look at adjusting profile to show region where live... have a lovely weekend all. 🌻
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    5 years ago
    Wow @Chevvy, sounds like your oncologist and my first surgeon could be long lost brothers 🤔. Good on you for standing up to him, and for changing him 💪🏻. Have a great weekend ♥️
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    5 years ago
    Sack him. Just do it. You will feel better--Ive told 4 of them to take a hike in the last 16 years. Tell him what you think or just find a new one and get your files transfered.
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    5 years ago
    Sounds like your GP needs a kick up the proverbial, too.  Your GP is the one who should be helping you navigate the medical world of specialists.  A cancer diagnosis is never an easy thing but you should feel that you have your medical team on your side.  It makes me realise how fortunate I have been.  My GP had made me an appointment to a surgeon before I even got to see her but her comment was "he is the one I would see myself but if you don't like him, we'll find someone else".  My surgeon and oncologist have always said to me that this is the treatment they recommend and why, and they have taken the time to answer my questions.  Have they guided me correctly?  Only time will tell.  But I do trust them and I know that I can question them.  What they offer are recommendations not directions and I have always been given the time to discuss it with family. I get so mad when I hear of the dismissive attitude of the type that you have been subjected to.
  • Chevvy's avatar
    Chevvy
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thanku ladies... have such a renewed strength from all your advice and encouragement... gp is gone, as is oncologist 👍.. saw new gp on Friday who is running some tests, get the results Wednesday,  where by then he said he will have found me another oncologist to refer me too... and if that offends the rest of my team then they will have to learn to live with it.. really have taken so much from all your words... should have ditched this onc months ago... 😊
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    5 years ago
    This is not a 5 minute visit,  one off...
    You need confidence and trust.....
    Take care and best wishes for your test results