Saw my Radiation Oncoligist today. This is what i think.

janaes
janaes Member Posts: 799 Member

So i saw my radiation oncoligist today.  He is such a nice doctor.  I love how kind and how much he cares about what I think.  He considers how i feel about what is going on with me. I told him i had forgot what he had said to me back in june when i first saw him (we had discussed a lot and i had forgotten some of his reasoning) and he was willing to take the time i needed to answer my questions.  He is a very young doctor and his education is at Mayo Clinic.  I really do feel he has my best interest at heart which i think is great.  Im not sure how much he understands about uterine carcinisarcoma cancer, which i have, but it seems like that cancer is very misunderstood.  He was the first doctor to tell me i needed chemotherapy which tells me he cares enough about me to tell me i need chemo even though at the time i did not want to do it.  Not at all!!!!!!!!!!  He tells me that i am going to have 3 high doses of brachytherapy towards my vaginal cuff.  Because i have had  alot external radiation 23 years ago close to the area where i would need external radiation,  he didnt feel comfortable in doing external radiation.  He told me if i had a reacurance in that area he would do external radiation in just the area it was needed.  Even though i feel there is one more contibuting factor to me getting uterine cancer, i do feel in part that the radiation the doctors gave me back 23 years ago, did contribute to me getting this new cancer.  I have been reseaching stuff about radiation exposure and second cancers since i have learned mine might be that reason. 

These are my reasoning factors:

Cancer is not very common in my family (my grandpa had prostrate cancer and melinoma and my paternal grandma  had one type of cancer). My grandpa is 90 and still alive.  My grandma lived to 89. They are the only ones.  No parents, no aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no siblings have had cancer. (Ill be honest thats why i love this group. It gets pretty lonely out there)  I dont believe my cancer came from heredity.

Two doctors have told me they think it was caused by my radiation exposure from my first cancer.

As i have researched, i found from this web site that  solid second cancers tend to appear near the first cancer.  My first cancer was in my chest area and even down lower and was radiated for that cancer about to my belly button.  Which is close to this uterine cancer.

I have also have heard and read (Cant remember where) that people with Hogkins lymphoma, partly because it is a cancer at a young age, can increase the risk os a second cancer. (there are other factors not just age).  I would have to remember where i found that info to  understand that better.  I just remember it felt it was true.

 

 So at this point i really feel that brachytheropy would do me good.  I feel my Radiation Oncoligist was considering my situation with his desision.

Just wanted to share that with every one.

Comments

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    edited September 2016 #2
    I am glad you have a

    I am glad you have a radiology Oncologist that you like and feel that you can trust.  I think that is a good part of the battle.  You sure have done your research.  I have been so blessed with great carrying doctors from day one.  I do understand your fear of radiation and I certainly believed that your previous radiation caused this new cancer.  I was much more afraid of the radiation than I was the chemo.  My father died from lymphoma over 55 years ago and his radiation treatment burn a hole in his leg that never healed.  Thank goodness cancer treatment is not as barbaric now as it was then.

    i am sending you hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    Janae, it is so great to hear

    Janae, it is so great to hear you talk about your rad-onc so glowingly. You are a tough-cookie and don't give kudos easily. He must be very caring to have earned such high praise.

    You deserve a wonderful and caring doctor as you transition to this next phase of treatment. Trust that he has your best interest at heart and try to keep your positive attitude.

    Treatment is almost over! You are so close. Hang in there and start planning that NED celebration!

  • GingerMay
    GingerMay Member Posts: 134
    Thinking your Rad-Onc is good

    It is good to hear a postive experience with a doctor.  I agree with original poster Janaes that he probably does deserve praise.  I have been told if a patient goes to a radiation oncologist, you will be told radiation is the best option.  Then if you go to a surgeon, you will be told surgery is best - same if your doctor is predisposed to chemotherapy.  So, to hear that this doctor provided an opinion outside of his specialty is indeed indicative of a well-thought out recommendation.  

    I am new to all of this and am on discussion boards daily.  I wish this site, discussion board had more activity and more frequent posts.  So, that is why I'm responding.  Anyway, I also agree about the radiation potential of causing second cancers which you seem well aware of.  

    Since this doctor is young, hopefully he keeps this mind-set throughout his career and is a positive role model to other doctors.  As patients, we could all benefit from more like him.  I understand some doctors need to "tune out" in order to perfrom objectively, but some doctors just don't get that when they treat cancer, there is a whole entire person associated with it.  

    All the best to you.  You seem strong, and that you are on a good path.