On: Looking For A New Oncologist
I’ve decided that I’m going to switch doctors. I saw my oncologist this morning and he managed to put a damper on my good mood yet again. There’s part of me that is starting to liken him to the dentist from Little Shop of Horrors. There must be some sort of satisfaction that he takes from telling people the worst possible things. The gems from today: the idea that Lupron will weaken my bones and raise my chances of breaking a hip; the fact that my proposed therapy (chemo, radiation, Tamoxifin, and Lupron) hasn’t been shown to have any significant benefit and that most folks lost during that time are lost because of an effect of treatment; lots of giggling when I told him how my periods recently have been very lengthy and heavy; and saying how sweet my gynecologist/oncologist is and that he’s obviously looking for more patients because he calls them about someone every week (lots more laughing with this).
I’m not sure what my chances are, really. No one has broken it down to me. I think I’m serious enough (given the stage) but not so serious (no metastasis) that I’m not having a lot of the tests what could really show what is what. But I’ve decided pretty much to live, you know, and I’m feeling much better than I have in months. I’m not about to enter back into a relationship with that dude if each time I see him I come out of the office doubting whether or not I’m going to survive. That’s no way to live, especially with a doctor that I’m going to be seeing regularly for at least 5 years.
He had me reschedule for one month out. When I got to work this morning I called his office and asked if I could switch to this cool woman oncologist that works there. She’s who I wanted in the first place.
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2 opinions for On: Looking For A New Oncologist
Mary C
May 24, 2007 at 10:54 pm
My breast cancer was Stage IIB, I had a lumpectomy, chemo and I’m almost done with radiation — then we move on to tamoxofin.
My advice would be to switch if you can; it sounds like the relationship isn’t great from a communication standpoint.
I’ve been phenomenally fortunate. My family practice doctor recommended a really great general surgeon, who said, “Interview a couple of oncologists and pick someone you like and you’re comfortable with. You’ll be seeing the oncologist a lot more than you see me.”
So true… a cordial working relationship and good communication with my doctors has really helped.
Be careful and don’t burn any bridges though — you may have a situation where you need to work with this guy again… if you have an emergency and he’s on call, for instance.
Good Luck!
Robin Dunn Bryant
May 29, 2007 at 8:54 am
Thank you so much for your thoughts. Our situations sound pretty similar: I was Stage IIA, had a lumpectomy (twice), chemo, and am halfway through with radiation…
I actually called the office to see if I could switch and haven’t gotten a call back yet! I really wish that my gyno (who is also an oncologist) could take over my case. He’s so responsive.
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