Too soon for oncologist?

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PegN
PegN Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm having my mastectomy/reconstruction surgery on 7/16. Should I go ahead and set up an appointment with an oncologist for a week or two after the surgery? Should I get a second opinion also? (I know two good oncologists.) Thanks for any comments and suggestions!

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  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
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    Hi Peg, I had a bilateral mastectomy on February 6, 2003 and didn't see the oncologist for a month. My surgeon made all the arrangements and told me it was standard to give your body time to heal from surgery before starting chemo. My first AC treatment wasn't until March 6th. Good luck with your surgery.
    terri
  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #3
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    Hi PegH:

    My thought is that you go ahead and set up at least two appointments now, (I'd want at least one second opinion) for about two weeks after your surgery. That way, you'll have your complete, final pathology report to bring to the appointments, which will be very helpful in what treatment the doc's may recommend to you, when to begin, etc.. You'll be all set and won't need to exert any energy with setting up consults, while you're recovering from surgery. You'll be seeing your surgeon during recovery anyway and can ask them to make several copies of your final reports for you, while you're there,which will save you an extra trip as well.

    Wishing you an uncomplicated surgery and speedy recovery. Keep us posted.

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink
  • sassysally
    sassysally Member Posts: 150
    #4
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    I had a mastectomy in 2001 and had the chemo that same week. It is really up to the oncologist you choose and your own personal preference and how you and your body feel. Good luck
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #5
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    Hi Peg. I actually met my oncologist before my surgery, almost as another opinion that I was preceding in the right direction. We didn't discuss treatment plans at that time since we didn't have the pathology reports obviously, but we got to talk and I felt better going into surgery knowing where I was headed next. I still did get a second opinion from another oncologist in NYC (I actually got on a train right after my first chemo for that appointment), which gave me piece of mind when I was offered the same choices. Don't feel locked into any treatment plan or doctor if things aren't going along as you think they should. Your questions, concerns and feedback should be taken into consideration. If you feel they aren't, move on. Remember, you are in charge at all times. With that comes a responsibility to educate yourself inorder to be able to have a dialogue with your doctors. Believe me, when it comes to medicine, ignorance is not bliss. Good luck with your surgery; let us know how it goes.
    Susan
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #6
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    SusanAnne said:

    Hi Peg. I actually met my oncologist before my surgery, almost as another opinion that I was preceding in the right direction. We didn't discuss treatment plans at that time since we didn't have the pathology reports obviously, but we got to talk and I felt better going into surgery knowing where I was headed next. I still did get a second opinion from another oncologist in NYC (I actually got on a train right after my first chemo for that appointment), which gave me piece of mind when I was offered the same choices. Don't feel locked into any treatment plan or doctor if things aren't going along as you think they should. Your questions, concerns and feedback should be taken into consideration. If you feel they aren't, move on. Remember, you are in charge at all times. With that comes a responsibility to educate yourself inorder to be able to have a dialogue with your doctors. Believe me, when it comes to medicine, ignorance is not bliss. Good luck with your surgery; let us know how it goes.
    Susan

    I also saw the oncologist prior to surgery. I dreaded that appointment something awful, but was very relieved and in a positive state of mind after meeting with them. That may have helped the ease of recovery following surgery, so much easier than I could ever have hoped. Plus, immediately post-op, I was working toward starting the next phase. Surgery was Feb 20, 2003 and port installation/first chemotherapy was March 13, 2003.
    Hugs,
    Denise

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