Re: Cliff, one more thing - Cliff

[Guest guest]

Cliff,

The hospital/oncologist I go to/see is a 45 minute drive from where

I live.

I too have great concerns about contacting the doctor when I have a

problem.

I've been delaying the start of my chemo for many reasons amongst

them being the fear of not being able to contact someone when needed.

Plus, I worry about the effects of chemo.

My immunity is still quite weak right now, so also, I don't want to

jump into chemo while I am still constantly coming down with every

virus/cold etc around. Currently I've had a very bad chest cold for a

month, and it's just now beginning to clear up.

I have an appointment next week, so I intend to go with a long list

of questions, concerns etc.

I had Very Strong chemo for nearly 2 years back in 1980 for breast

cancer (after a mastectomy), and as a result it has done a lot of

screwy stuff to my system. I have developed many

sensitivities/reactions to lots of stuff, allergies, etc etc...

It put me into a very early menopause etc.

Anyways, I understand how you are feeling.

But - I do advise having the surgery!! Especially seeing as how it

sounds like it may very well be all that you might need to do.

Theresa

> <<..just because you see a Oncologist does not mean you have to have

> chemo.>>

>

> All along my concern has been more with the chemo than with the

surgery

> because I have some other weak spots that could be compromised by

the

> chemo. The liver, for example.

>

> But now that I apparently have a good surgeon--one who asks and

answers

> the right questions--I'll make my concerns known and expect that he

and

> the chemo guy will do their best. I just want it understood that I

want

> the liberty of stopping anything that makes me feel compromised,

and I

> want telephone access. Communication. These days my experience

with

> doctors is that they have conspired to disappear behind a curtain of

> unavailability. They do not answer phone calls anymore. How can

one

> have a doctor patient relationship without communication--or with

the

> inevitably faulty communication of a filtering of information

through a

> front desk girl with a high school education?

>

> Thanks Joyce.

> Cliff

[Guest guest]

<<I do advise having the surgery!! Especially seeing as how it sounds

like it may very well be all that you might need to do.>>

Even my retired surgeon friend told me that yesterday. I won't count on

it, but I'll certainly hope for it. Thanks for your story, Theresa.

It'll help me to advocate for myself on the chemo issue.

Cliff

[Guest guest]

<<I do advise having the surgery!! Especially seeing as how it sounds

like it may very well be all that you might need to do.>>

Even my retired surgeon friend told me that yesterday. I won't count on

it, but I'll certainly hope for it. Thanks for your story, Theresa.

It'll help me to advocate for myself on the chemo issue.

Cliff

[Guest guest]

<<I do advise having the surgery!! Especially seeing as how it sounds

like it may very well be all that you might need to do.>>

Even my retired surgeon friend told me that yesterday. I won't count on

it, but I'll certainly hope for it. Thanks for your story, Theresa.

It'll help me to advocate for myself on the chemo issue.

Cliff