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Lynne48's avatar
Lynne48
Member
11 years ago

How important is your GP

I have only recently moved to Perth, so didn't have a GP. I chose to make an appointment with a local clinic, when I noticed a lump in my breast. Two weeks on, I have been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer & have surgey booked for 25 Feb for a full mastectomy & removal of all left lymph nodes. The first GP I saw was a locum, so was then passed onto the regular GP (a male), who doesn't seem to have much experience in the process, but is very caring, having rung me three times to see how I am & where I am at with Treatment. Because of the GPs lack of experience I decided to see another one (female). Both my husband and I explained to her how important it was for us to have a GP with experience and who could support us through this journey. She seemed to be the one. However, I had my bone and CT scans last Friday, an appointment with my surgeon on Monday and have yet to hear anything from her. I left a message for her on Thursday, but still no return call. What should I do? Try and find another GP? Go back to the original GP? I have no idea what to do. Am feeling helpless.

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  • Lynne48's avatar
    Lynne48
    Member
    11 years ago
    Thanks Sarah. I am pretty nervous about the op. Not getting much sleep. I have never had a general anaesthetic, let alone an operation. It really helps hearing from women like you that have been or are going through the same thing. Hope all goes well with your radiotherapy. x
  • Sezzy's avatar
    Sezzy
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hey Lynne, I have been going through Sir Charles gairdener hospital. My friend has been through the mount and has been very happy with her treatment there. I have just finished 6 rounds of chemo, I still have a year of herceptin to go and I start radiotherapy next week. I had a mastectomy and auxiliary clearance back in September . Good luck with your surgery , iam sure your feeling nervous, but really it's not too bad at all. It's a long road ahead, but one day at a time and you'll get through. I look forward to hearing how you get on. X
  • Lynne48's avatar
    Lynne48
    Member
    11 years ago
    Thanks so much for your comments Deanne, Sezzy & Robyn W. You have lifted a huge weight. I am going to return to my local GP. Sezzy, I am going through The Mount. my surgeon is Dr Peter Willsher. Where are you going? What state of your treatment are you at?
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    11 years ago
    Waiting for results and appointments is the hard part at the beginning of all this but my experience was the same as Robyn and Sarah. Once my GP referred me to the surgeon all reports, scan results etc were through the specialists. I only saw my GP a couple of times during my treatment for minor issues and also for updates of referrals for the surgeon, oncologist, radio oncologist. Once things got underway, my oncologist was probably the doctor who I had the most contact with. Down the track 21 months, I now see my surgeon and oncologist at 6 month intervals and my GP for any other health issues. Wishing you all the best for your treatment. It really does move quickly once you see your surgeon and before you know it you are well and healthy again. Take care and use this network to keep in contact with others going through all this too. Unfortunately there are just way too many of us. But the treatment here in Australia is excellent. Deanne xxx
  • Sezzy's avatar
    Sezzy
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Lynne, I live in perth too, which hospital are you going through for treatment ? That's a tricky situation with your GP. To be honest I haven't seen mine to much throughout my BC treatment. But the GP is one of your first points of call if your experiencing any issues, such as infection. I would probably stick to the GP who has taken the time to contact you. He will always refer to your oncologist if there was anything major . As long as you feel comfortable to talking to him, I think that's most important. Good luck with everything. Sarah
  • Sezzy's avatar
    Sezzy
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi Lynne, I live in perth too, which hospital are you going through for treatment ? That's a tricky situation with your GP. To be honest I haven't seen mine to much throughout my BC treatment. But the GP is one of your first points of call if your experiencing any issues, such as infection. I would probably stick to the GP who has taken the time to contact you. He will always refer to your oncologist if there was anything major . As long as you feel comfortable to talking to him, I think that's most important. Good luck with everything. Sarah
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hello Lynne, for me ,my GP is really just the one who makes referrals for me,and the one I see for everyday stuff.For my BC,right from the beginning,my GP sent me for my mammogram and ultrasound, referred me to a surgeon,and after that,I didn't see him again for my Cancer.My surgeon referred me to an oncologist( who works at one of the hospitals he operates at) and ever since then,I have been seeing my oncologist throughout treatment and after.I had a bone scan,and the results went to my oncologist.My GP only gets a copy,which is standard practise I think.All my other tests such as heart test,different blood tests,bone mineral density,have all been ordered by my oncologist.I think you will find that as soon as you have had your surgery,your surgeon will recommend you to an oncologist.I saw my oncologist for the first time,about 2 weeks after surgery.I hope this helps.Cheers Robyn