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Tricoteuse's avatar
Tricoteuse
Member
9 years ago

Fired by my doctor

I am in shock. I have been seeing my med onc regularly since my recurrence 16 months ago. I had a very unexpected (aren't they all) recurrence nearly 5 years after mastectomy/ node sampling and Tamoxifen for stage 1 ER+ cancer. Extensive bone mets causing several fractures in my lumbar spine and ribs, and some lung and liver nodules. I have been on Xeloda, but over the past few months I have felt that it is not working as well. Two weeks ago I developed severe pain in my gluteal area that turned out to be extension of a known lytic lesion in my pelvis. I had radiotherapy for 5 days and tried to get an appointment with med onc to find out what to do next. 
She called me back and said she wouldn't see me any more because I had been rude at my last appointment (pressing her to tell me what she would recommend next if Xeloda wasn't working, and how we would make that assessment), and she found out I had tried to go for a second opinion. There had also been a big gap since my last appointment due to Christmas and an overseas holiday. 
I'm devastated. I don't have an oncologist, and I've just had disease progression on treatment. I can't get in for my second opinion for three weeks.

has this happened to anyone else?
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    9 years ago
    if Xeloda is not successful on its own there are chemo drugs which can be added. Your GP doctor should refer you to a new oncologist. For the pain, you may want to see if you can chase up a doctor, or ask yours, who is authorised to prescribe medicinal cannabis oil. It is treated to be non addictive and you don't get high on it but it will loosen up restricted movement and stop the pain. 
  • Mira's avatar
    Mira
    Member
    9 years ago
    I was under the impression if a doctor refuses to see you again they had to recommend someone else?  Or at least make sure you are getting adequate treatment.  Does your oncologist have a supervisor?  I'd take it up a level and make a complaint if they haven't referred you on.
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    That's weird. If we all got sacked for questioning our oncs... Did she inform you last time that your behaviour was making her uncomfortable? And as for suggesting a second opinion is against the rules. Well, that's very strange. 
    I'm not sure if she is obliged to find you another referral, but given your situation, it would be very surprising if you didn't get triaged up the list pretty quickly if you have access to public oncology services. That's a job for your GP. If you are metro ask to be referred to a couple of different hospitals. If you have to wait the three weeks, that is still, sadly, pretty brisk progression in cancer land.