Call from OncologistI

[8576]

She has decided to leave me on the same program of 2 wks. on/ one wk. off Ibrance. and repeat scans mid September. I think that is a bit early, since I just had them a week ago on Aug. 18th with good reports. Any thoughts?

Cheers, June S.

[Hidden]

Hi June! Did your onc tell you why she want another scan one month after your last one? Are you on a trial of an Ibrance schedule of 2 weeks on/1 week off? I have heard someone else on that schedule and cannot think of another reason she would want a repeat scan so soon especially after your good results of the last one. I am curious. Maybe someone else had an explanation. Hugs

Anja

[8576 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I think that is why. I questioned it and she seemed vague but I thought that was her thinking. Thanks for your input and see the reply to Sandra for more thoughts.

Cheers, June S.

[Hidden]

Maybe she wants to re-check your lung nodules?

[8576 in reply to Hidden]

She wasn't concerned about the nodule. See my reply to Sandra below for more thoughts.

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

Cheers, June S.

[8576]

Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated. I think it is because of the Ibrance schedule and I had my blood work done on the second last day of my two week schedule because I was at the hospital anyhow for Faslodex and Zometa. She would have preferred it done towards the end of the week off. (makes sense to see how I recover.) It might also be the low WCC. She was not concerned about the nodule.

I agree, why not just do the blood work after my next two weeks on/ one off and see if it improves. She is 'all over the map' sometimes. Scheduling appointments is a mess. I suspect she is still having to get opinions from colleagues. I know she asks one or two and then, at the Thursday group meetings she receives a different opinion. I do know this has happened. It is unnerving to say the least! That is why I keep a close eye on what she is planning.

She is very new to the job. I feel like I have a job as her assistant! I think her nurse has a difficult time keeping up with her also.

I am so very fortunate that there are some super good and caring doctors in the group who know my case very well and keep an eye on her. Really. The radiologist for example asked to come to a follow up appointment with her after my radiation treatments.

All that said, maybe it is the difficulty of my case. I will ask her again about the reason for the scans again so early.

Sorry to ramble on but I need help with all this. You are all a great help.

Cheers, June S.

[Thatflowerlady in reply to 8576]

Hi June

It sounds like we have oncologist with a lot of the same characteristics. I find I am always having to question and follow up . I am never sure if it is the oncologist or the nurses . Mine is very kind & knowledgeable but scattered. But maybe she has a huge work load ?

Luann

[8576 in reply to Thatflowerlady]

Yes, scattered is the right word. I think it is the work load also and in my case, young and inexperienced. She is kind but matter of fact. I wasn't sure at first if it was the oncologist or the nurse, but the other nurse I know there and trust says my current nurse is very good.

Wishing you well. Keep checking up and get a second opinion if necessary.

Cheers, June S.

[Hidden]

Hi June,

It sounds like you are doing well. I'm not sure why your oncologist would want scans again so soon. I would call up and question that. I think I would have a hard time with her. Everyone has to start from somewhere, but she sounds like a lot of hard work. I hope everything works out for you.

Sophie

[8576 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Sophie. It is hard work. I feel strained because I don't have a medical background just going by instincts and research and help from everyone here. Not the way it is supposed to be. Not much choice in changing doctors either.

Cheers, June S.

[Hidden in reply to 8576]

I'm sorry to hear that, June. You should not be doing your oncologist's job for her. You are the one in need of guidance and support. If you can't change doctors can you at least consult someone else for a second opinion? Or how about speaking with one of your oncology nurses?

Sophie

[8576]

Thanks Sophie. Yes, I do have a very good second opinion resource at another hospital about an hour's drive and I go there when things get really uncertain. I think the nurses are dealing with the same problem I am. At first I wasn't sure who was the weak link, the nurse or the oncologist, but now I know it is the oncologist.

It is getting better and I am able to manage now.

Cheers, June S.

[MacroMom]

Good work navigating all this June, and also reaching out for opinions. I agree with most here that scans just a month apart seem a bit much, especially because you are still doing well on Ibrance. Hopefully you'll be in treatments for many years and I think it's wise to think about overall radiation exposure.

However on the other hand, I just pushed to get another scan in 3 months (my onc was doing them every 6) because my markers went up and I have lots of liver mets that I don't want getting out of control again. There are times that warrant more frequent scans, but maybe not just to reassure a new onc that she's on the right track. Have your markers been reliable measures of what is going on with your cancer? If so, is she checking those regularly too?

And great that your Aug 18 scan was good!

Patty

[8576 in reply to MacroMom]

No she doesn't use markers. Yep. Good scans are reason

to celebrate. Take care,

Cheers, June S.

[8576]

Yes, I did understand that you meant the scans. I am questioning that also. I did ask her and got a vague answer. I don't know if it is her or me that gets confused. Anyhow, I am sure I drive her nuts also with questioning everything and I always am way ahead of her by having the scans sent to me as soon as they are posted. So I am ready with my questions. And of course she knows I will go for a second opinion if I feel it is needed. I have only done that twice in my 7yrs. there. I got my family doctor to refer me and he always agreed it was warranted in the situation warranted it. She once ordered a biopsy for me on a small insignificant nodule and I rolled it around in my mind and could not see the reasoning so I cancelled it. She obviously didn't know the date as she phoned two days after it was to have taken place to say I didn't need it!! Glad I did my research and figured out it wasn't necessary. There are more mistakes but I just put them down to high pressure and to overloaded with patients.

So that is why I have my guard up and she is always a bit nervous talking to me. I am never aggressive with her though or point out her mistakes. She knows I am not unreasonable.

So this scan thing is another glitch in the road. I will check it out.

Cheers, June S.