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Sarah54's avatar
Sarah54
Member
11 years ago

Medical oncologist

From January of this year I have had a operation to plate my broken humerous of 3 months unhealed  so I could start chemo, done chemo TCH for 6 sessions 3 weeks apart, I then had a bi-lateral mastectomy with complication of a nasty sinus infection in part of the scar so another op.

I then did 6 weeks of radiation with another chest infection and of course through op and radiation I had my 3 weekly Herceptin.

Once I started to feel better overall from side effects of chemo I began to recognise how I felt after my Herceptin. The oncologist I am seeing now only took on my case at the 6th round of chemo.

I have seen him twice before and one of those visits was to fill out my income protection form.

Yesterday was my 3rd visit and I said since I have finished everything and more or less over the mastectomy I have identified with feeling very tearful, depressed, with bone aches after my dose of Herceptin.

The oncologist said I have never heard of that and according to clinical trials this does not happen.

I said I am a member of BCNA and a few women on herceptin had mentioned these problems. He said I should stay away from cancer sites.

I was so upset about everything in this meeting. I had a CT scan on previous Sat and assured the results would be viewed by medical oncologist.

It was my radiation oncologist who ordered the chest scan to check my behind breast bone cancer lymph nodes and above the collar bone.

Again the medical oncologist said it was a complete waste of time as you need at least 3 months after radiation as it keeps working.

So having spent 48 hours getting more and more nervous about “the waiting for results” I was very disappointed with the outcome.

I snapped and became tearful and sarcastic saying actually Doc double my dosage as I am making all this up. He now has me down for severely clinically depressed.  You just cannot win.

Good luck everyone with your journey.

Cyber hugs

Sarah

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  • Sarah54's avatar
    Sarah54
    Member
    11 years ago

    Thank you Candygirl I have more faith in this site than any one appointment I have to meet in WA Perth.

    Cyber hug and good luck

  • Blossom59's avatar
    Blossom59
    Member
    11 years ago

    Right frame of mind, you go girl.  

    You don't have to burst into tears because of things said.  And at the end of the day, they chose this profession, they get well paid, they choose to stay in it, so I don't feel sorry for them and the shit days they must have.

    I once heard a Specialist say "people think we have a hard job, but at the end of the day, we do not have cancer, our patients do".  

    Candice

  • Blossom59's avatar
    Blossom59
    Member
    11 years ago

    Are you able to change to another Oncologist even if it is in the same building/rooms?  I had an in Incident where my Oncologist was having a bad day.

     I arrived at my GP’s who was very concerned about a letter she received from my Onco, apparently I was extremely anxious about everything.  My ocologist wrote that I was worried about uterus and cervical cancer, very strange as they have all been removed.  Also went into a rant about me wanting to be on Arimidex for 10 years, this was at my 12month check-up, news to me, my question to her was what was the plan because on two previous occasions she had told me - 2 years on Arimidex and then 3 on Tamoxifen, and the next time it was 5 on Arimidex.  I was just after  a simple clarification. This letter went on and on, turning me into a bit of a nut case.  Lucky my husband was with me to confirm that this was not the same consultation that we had both been at, Oncologist was on a different planet.

    Anyway my breast surgeon wrote me out a referral for the other Oncologist in the same rooms, I then had appointment with him and I now feel  more comfortable, he apologised for his business partners unprofessional letter. 

    I live in a town small enough to hear the local news.  1st Oncologist caught her husband with another, so yep she was having a bad day., but not my problem...

    They are not GOD, they make mistakes, I was not willing to hang around and pay $140 for a 5 min consult to make me feel uncomfortable.   If it is too stressful move on, it has worked for me. 

    Sending you a big hug as I truely know how you feel.

    Candice

  • Blossom59's avatar
    Blossom59
    Member
    11 years ago

    Are you able to change to another Oncologist even if it is in the same building/rooms?  I had an in Incident where my Oncologist was having a bad day.

     I arrived at my GP’s who was very concerned about a letter she received from my Onco, apparently I was extremely anxious about everything.  My ocologist wrote that I was worried about uterus and cervical cancer, very strange as they have all been removed.  Also went into a rant about me wanting to be on Arimidex for 10 years, this was at my 12month check-up, news to me, my question to her was what was the plan because on two previous occasions she had told me - 2 years on Arimidex and then 3 on Tamoxifen, and the next time it was 5 on Arimidex.  I was just after  a simple clarification. This letter went on and on, turning me into a bit of a nut case.  Lucky my husband was with me to confirm that this was not the same consultation that we had both been at, Oncologist was on a different planet.

    Anyway my breast surgeon wrote me out a referral for the other Oncologist in the same rooms, I then had appointment with him and I now feel  more comfortable, he apologised for his business partners unprofessional letter. 

    I live in a town small enough to hear the local news.  1st Oncologist caught her husband with another, so yep she was having a bad day., but not my problem...

    They are not GOD, they make mistakes, I was not willing to hang around and pay $140 for a 5 min consult to make me feel uncomfortable.   If it is too stressful move on, it has worked for me. 

    Sending you a big hug as I truely know how you feel.

    Candice

  • Beery's avatar
    Beery
    Member
    11 years ago

    So sorry to hear of your dilemma with your oncologist.  Yes I do believe that sometimes they think that they know it all.  I like to check things out on the net.  Just to get a different perspective.  I don't believe everything I read tho.  Keep your chin up.  We are all here to read your posts and offer any advice we can.  I have found this site is the best place to be able to gather information and be able to vent... Sue:-)