second opinion re radical surgery

[pants22]

Hi fellow OC fighters

I start 3rd line chemo (Caelyx) this week and have a strong inner voice telling me to seek a consultation with Prof Christina Fotopoulou in London as my other abdominal organs have so far resisted the cancer and I feel so well generally.

Can anyone advise the most effective way to get an appointment with the professor.

I was going to phone the gynaecology secretary tomorrow to get the ball rolling

Thanks for any advice or experience.

[Caleda4]

Hi, I am on 3rd line chemo,carbo caelyx and have the 5th cycle on Tuesday.. To get an Consultation with Christina, you would need to speak to your current Oncologist, about a 2nd opinion which is not unusual I will probably be doing the same once I finish chemo. Good luck with caelyx,i hope it goes well for you.x

[pants22 in reply to Caleda4]

Hi Thanks for reply. I was thinking of a first private consultation then request NHS referral if she feels she could do anything for me. I think that would be a quicker route. How are you finding the chemo this time around??

[Peggypip50 in reply to pants22]

Hi Lindy LooGo for it! Call on Monday and see if you can get a private initial consultation. You have all the paperwork you need and could email it ahead if she requires. Everyone is entitled to a second opinion and if your current oncologist isn’t giving you100% then you deserve to see someone who advocates for women and will give 110%! We’ll chat tomorrow xx

[Neona]

I arranged for a private consultation with an oncologist in London- I googled her secretary and phoned. Then I asked my GP to refer me. The consultant’s secretary arranged for my records to be sent from my local hospital. When it was all arranged I sent an email to my local oncologist to explain what I was doing. I got the appointment within 2 weeks - it was well worth it.

[Realistic]

Dont know if it helps but l was told to go to my GP to ask for a 2 nd opinion. Which l did but got appointment with Surgeon l just didnt gel with.So l asked my oncologist that had passed my over to Christie's for my chemo. He recommended a marvellous surgeon but the waiting lists are endless at the moment. I got the tel for private secretary which l did unfortunately she was on holiday so a bit of research and found Proffesor Aail Sheen email address sent message 10 mins later answer made appointment had to pay private for me worth every penny. Saw him 4 days later lm now on his list for my complicated surgery but through the NHS. I feel at the moment we have to take control the system under too much pressure. Hope this helps you, lm happy with my outcome. And fingers crossed l will soon be sorted. Go by your instincts there usually right we know our own body. Good luck. Sending love ❤ Sheilaxxx

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hi there pants22

I can see that the forum community have been sharing their experiences about getting a second opinion which I hope has been helpful.

I just wanted to let you know that Ovacome have an information resource about this process which may be of interest to you at this time. You can find it here on our website: ovacome.org.uk/getting-a-se... .

We are here to support you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like to talk through anything. You can call our support line on 0800 008 7054, email us via [e-mail] or send us message directly through this forum. We’re here Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, to respond to questions, provide information resources or just have a friendly chat.

Best wishes

Annie – Ovacome support