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.

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

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

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

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?

How important is your GP | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

JessicaV
Member
11 years ago
Hi Lynne,

I had only full mastectomy plus sentinel node (plus an empty chunk) not full node clearance like you. The mastectomy was not really a problem, no real pain, just surprised me when it filled up with up to 600ml of fluid called a seroma, which is a kind of blister, sterile and just what tissue does whie the layers are in the process of binding together.It had to be drained, Don't be surprised or upset if you get one, it is not a bad sign, just needs to be drained every few days by the surgeon. Mine was bigger than many and took longer to heal than many. I also got a bad strep infection on the surgical drain site, basically because I was foolish enough not to contact Peter himself straight away when it got pinkish, but to ask a nurse for advice, and she turned out to be very junior and ignorant, and wrongly told me to wait the 3 days till my appointment with Peter. So ask if you can have his direct number for any emergency.

I have heard it is the lymph node area not the mastectomy that tends to hurt and get most of the cording and lymphodema, so do take the painkillers they suggest, and if you start to get any cording or swelling ask about the physio at the Mount who is an expert with lymphodema . Cording is where you get tight cords in the tissue like twine, and they feel a bit crampy. I had no idea what it was, or what to do about it.

Chris Nixon on this board mentioned this wonderful physio.

The Mount is just going through a big staff change with the opening of Fiona Stanley Hospital quite a few nurses are going there. I am told the brand new director of nursing at The Mount is lovely but follows one who set quite a few people looking for new jobs. Since the new lady is really good, many of them may change their mind and not leave after all or come back. But it might help to be aware of this kerfuffle, and to ask who are the senior long-term staff members when you need info or advice.

Also, if you find yourself with a room you don't like, ask to be changed. I had one that was like a little dungeon, because the building works had it all enclosed and was then moved to a lovely room.

Remember Cathy the breast care nurse can help with all sorts of things. She will give you her contact card. Use it.

If you want Arlene for your oncologist, tell Peter when you see him next that this is what you would like, so he can refer you on to her.

Oh, and at present, parking in the grounds appears to be on credit card, but you put your ticket in and the boom goes up and there is no charge. On the street, the parking nazis are merciless, but in the hospital grounds at present it is free, but you need to get in early.
JessicaV
Member
11 years ago
Hi Lynne,

I had only full mastectomy plus sentinel node (plus an empty chunk) not full node clearance like you. The mastectomy was not really a problem, no real pain, just surprised me when it filled up with up to 600ml of fluid called a seroma, which is a kind of blister, sterile and just what tissue does whie the layers are in the process of binding together.It had to be drained, Don't be surprised or upset if you get one, it is not a bad sign, just needs to be drained every few days by the surgeon. Mine was bigger than many and took longer to heal than many. I also got a bad strep infection on the surgical drain site, basically because I was foolish enough not to contact Peter himself straight away when it got pinkish, but to ask a nurse for advice, and she turned out to be very junior and ignorant, and wrongly told me to wait the 3 days till my appointment with Peter. So ask if you can have his direct number for any emergency.

I have heard it is the lymph node area not the mastectomy that tends to hurt and get most of the cording and lymphodema, so do take the painkillers they suggest, and if you start to get any cording or swelling ask about the physio at the Mount who is an expert with lymphodema . Cording is where you get tight cords in the tissue like twine, and they feel a bit crampy. I had no idea what it was, or what to do about it.

Chris Nixon on this board mentioned this wonderful physio.

The Mount is just going through a big staff change with the opening of Fiona Stanley Hospital quite a few nurses are going there. I am told the brand new director of nursing at The Mount is lovely but follows one who set quite a few people looking for new jobs. Since the new lady is really good, many of them may change their mind and not leave after all or come back. But it might help to be aware of this kerfuffle, and to ask who are the senior long-term staff members when you need info or advice.

Also, if you find yourself with a room you don't like, ask to be changed. I had one that was like a little dungeon, because the building works had it all enclosed and was then moved to a lovely room.

Remember Cathy the breast care nurse can help with all sorts of things. She will give you her contact card. Use it.

If you want Arlene for your oncologist, tell Peter when you see him next that this is what you would like, so he can refer you on to her.

Oh, and at present, parking in the grounds appears to be on credit card, but you put your ticket in and the boom goes up and there is no charge. On the street, the parking nazis are merciless, but in the hospital grounds at present it is free, but you need to get in early.