Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 ~ Whenever there are red flags in my life, I try to address them. You have to be comfortable with your doctor...period. YOU deserve the best , because there is no one more important in this world - Ask yourself...am I worth the best there is? I'm sure the answer is yes. My oncologist is someone that I am very comfortable with and trust with my life. He told me from the beginning: "You have to be comfortable to tell me ANYTHING" and I can. He's my rock, and you deserve the same. If you don't feel you're getting everything that you should, there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion on your own. He doesn't even have to know. Call the office and ask for a copy of all your papers to date so far. Your surgeon's office should be able to provide their paperwork to you as well. Get your pathology report. Call your insurance and make sure a second opinion is covered and what other doctors are within your plan. You are your best advocate and I wish you strength on your journey. Best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Hi All - Had my 3rd treatment yesterday. Was the first time I saw my onc since I started. He was surprised that I hadn't had a baseline MUGA scan and set me up for one that day. I have a good nurse and she left the IV line in (I don't have a port) because she knew the techs that do the scans are not good at sticking you. My concern with my onc is that he wasn't on top of the MUGA scan situation and now he wants to add 2 more treatments to my therapy. I concidered myself lucky that I only had to have 4 and he seemed pretty confident that that was all I needed. He didn't give me a straight answer on why he wanted to increase them outside of that I seem to be tolerating them pretty good so far. Any thoughts? With MSN Spaces email straight to your blog. Upload jokes, photos and more. It's free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Hi , I don't know why he would change his mind but I would definitely let him know that unless he gives you a reason you aren't doing anything and might even go for a second opinion. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com Concerns with doctor Hi All - Had my 3rd treatment yesterday. Was the first time I saw my onc since I started. He was surprised that I hadn't had a baseline MUGA scan and set me up for one that day. I have a good nurse and she left the IV line in (I don't have a port) because she knew the techs that do the scans are not good at sticking you. My concern with my onc is that he wasn't on top of the MUGA scan situation and now he wants to add 2 more treatments to my therapy. I concidered myself lucky that I only had to have 4 and he seemed pretty confident that that was all I needed. He didn't give me a straight answer on why he wanted to increase them outside of that I seem to be tolerating them pretty good so far. Any thoughts? With MSN Spaces email straight to your blog. Upload jokes, photos and more. It's free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Hi , has given you excellent advice. What I want to add are some questions about your oncologist. Did he discuss a MUGA scan with you the first time you saw him? That is a big red flag that it wasn't done before your first treatment. My oncologist saw me before my 1st treatment, then at each of my 4 treatments. I don't know if this was the norm for other women. But the fact that your oncologist can't explain why he wants you to have 2 more treatments is disturbing to me. You should be able to depend on your oncologist to make you understand the treatments, why they are needed, possible side effects, and answer any questions you have. You will have this oncologist for years going forward, so if you think you want to stick with him, I would request another meeting and have him explain the benefit of 6 treatments vs. 4 treatments. Otherwise, as suggested, a 2nd opinion is in order. take care, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Sorry to be so dumb, but what is a MUGA scan?? And he should have been on top of it all the way. Why not? I would want to know. Janet IDC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Thanks ! I have also had an echocardiogram and it was basically normal per my Cardiologist. It has been 18 months but I don't think they have any plans to repeat it. My backache is back......day of chemo I always seem to have a backache and headache. I had my carrot/orange juice today. It seems to be working well, except my hemocrit was 34 so I had a Procrit shot today too. I use 1/4 pure carrot juice to 3/4 orange juice. hugs Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 Muga scan is a heart scan. They take a little blood, mix it with radioactive material, put it back in your arm, take pictures of your heart... 200 beats, 400 beats, something like that. Re: Concerns with doctor Sorry to be so dumb, but what is a MUGA scan?? And he should have been on top of it all the way. Why not? I would want to know. Janet IDC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 A MUGA scan is a scan of the heart. Here's a website that explains how it's used for Breast Cancer. http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/otherriskfactors/l/blmuga.htm > >Reply-To: breastcancer2 >To: <breastcancer2 > >Subject: Re: Concerns with doctor >Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 18:27:58 -0700 > >Sorry to be so dumb, but what is a MUGA scan?? And he should have been on >top of it all the way. Why not? I would want to know. > >Janet >IDC _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 I completely trusted my first onc. He saw me thru all treatments, started me on Tamoxifen, eventually switched that to aromasin. Then he no came to our hospital a different onc came and I did not like him at all. I went to a different onc that came to our hospital. I have stayed with him because he made me feel comfortable and he agreed with all treatments and meds up to that point. You have got to feel comfortable with your onc. I had no problem getting my records. Good Luck! Annssist@... wrote: ~ Whenever there are red flags in my life, I try to address them. You have to be comfortable with your doctor...period. YOU deserve the best , because there is no one more important in this world - Ask yourself...am I worth the best there is? I'm sure the answer is yes. My oncologist is someone that I am very comfortable with and trust with my life. He told me from the beginning: "You have to be comfortable to tell me ANYTHING" and I can. He's my rock, and you deserve the same. If you don't feel you're getting everything that you should, there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion on your own. He doesn't even have to know. Call the office and ask for a copy of all your papers to date so far. Your surgeon's office should be able to provide their paperwork to you as well. Get your pathology report. Call your insurance and make sure a second opinion is covered and what other doctors are within your plan. You are your best advocate and I wish you strength on your journey. Best, Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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