Remember, You Have The Right to Change Doctors
Other than that, I feel great this morning. I bought that special Christmas ornament for my special CSN sister and now need to wrap it and mail it this week. It shouted her name when I saw it.
Today is also the first day that I finally am in the Holiday Spirit. Thank Goodness!!!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY! ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
Lots of Hugs,
Janelle
Comments
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i so totally agree!!!
when my medical oncologist and the breast surgeon could not agree on next steps in my treatment, i knew it was time to move on. i loved my onc and hated to leave him, but once i made the decision - there was a huge weight lifted off me.
this has been a long strange journey, and it's not over yet. but now i have confidence in my team of doctors, and that makes all the difference in the world to me.
♫♥´¯`•.¸¸.♥♫ Hugs from Heidi ♫♥´¯`•.¸¸.♥♫0 -
The right doctor is so important!
I've had 4 of 6 T-C chemo treatments.
The second time I got a rash that sounds similar to yours. I was put on steroids and it cleared up in about 4 days. I was told that that is not a usual side-effect and perhaps it was a reaction to something else.
The 3rd cycle brought burning feet. My onc said that 1 in 15 have that type of side-effect. I sat at work with my feet on ice-packs and used lots of moisturizing cream. My fingers are super sensitive and when my onc looked at them, he said he was afraid I might loose a couple of finger/toe nails.
I'm waiting to see what will happen this cycle...but the good news is I'm 2/3s through and then just 33 radiation treatments and I'm done (because with triple negative, the hormone pills won't benefit me).
I hope that your side-effects lessen.
Hugs,
JoAnn0 -
Good!
Hi Janelle, so glad to hear you are so happy with the doc change. It can make a real difference. Happy to hear you are feeling the Holyday spirit. Have a great day! I suffer from neuropathy in my hand too...hugs alison0 -
I am glad you listened towebbwife50 said:Good!
Hi Janelle, so glad to hear you are so happy with the doc change. It can make a real difference. Happy to hear you are feeling the Holyday spirit. Have a great day! I suffer from neuropathy in my hand too...hugs alison
I am glad you listened to your instincts and changed doctors. Now to get your other symptoms under control!0 -
I'm so glad your happy withcarkris said:I am glad you listened to
I am glad you listened to your instincts and changed doctors. Now to get your other symptoms under control!
I'm so glad your happy with your decision. I am going on Thursday to my onc. and if I don't feel comfortable about this visit, I'm changing too. It's hard to change because I don't really want to leave the hospital that I love my surgeon at. Did you stay in your network and just change docs.
Any advise is greatly appreciated.
So happy for you Janelle and keep that Holiday Spirit.
Hugs,
Wanda0 -
Janelle
so glad you are happy with your new oncologist. Hopefully your dr will have some answers for you. I hope it's not the Arimidex because my dr is putting me on it in the near future. I'm sure your CSN recipient will love her ornament. I sent mine last week.
Char0 -
I am glad to see your postcahjah75 said:Janelle
so glad you are happy with your new oncologist. Hopefully your dr will have some answers for you. I hope it's not the Arimidex because my dr is putting me on it in the near future. I'm sure your CSN recipient will love her ornament. I sent mine last week.
Char
Janelle,
Good for you and I am glad that you feel comfortable and happy with your decision. As I posted previously I changed my oncologist 8 months ago due to lack of compassion and communications. I never regret my decision, however it was not an easy one. I hope your new oncologist will help to identify problem and treat it.
Sending you a big hug,
New Flower0 -
I fired my first oncologist.heidijez said:i so totally agree!!!
when my medical oncologist and the breast surgeon could not agree on next steps in my treatment, i knew it was time to move on. i loved my onc and hated to leave him, but once i made the decision - there was a huge weight lifted off me.
this has been a long strange journey, and it's not over yet. but now i have confidence in my team of doctors, and that makes all the difference in the world to me.
♫♥´¯`•.¸¸.♥♫ Hugs from Heidi ♫♥´¯`•.¸¸.♥♫
I fired my first oncologist. Aside from us not thinking he was all that great, we could hardly understand him. He wasn't originally from the USA.
Love the one I have now!
Hugs, Kylez0 -
In same practiceLighthouse_7 said:I'm so glad your happy with
I'm so glad your happy with your decision. I am going on Thursday to my onc. and if I don't feel comfortable about this visit, I'm changing too. It's hard to change because I don't really want to leave the hospital that I love my surgeon at. Did you stay in your network and just change docs.
Any advise is greatly appreciated.
So happy for you Janelle and keep that Holiday Spirit.
Hugs,
Wanda
It is amazing what I keep learning. The doctor I changed to is in the same practice. It is a BIG PRACTICE. Many hematology oncologists. What I found out is that out of all the hematologists in this practice, 3 were geared for breast cancer, among other areas also. The remaining hematology oncologists were not geared for breast cancer. Before this knowledge, I thought all them did everything. Not so!!! They are specialized or have special interests in certain kinds of cancer.
My internist spoke with new doctor to ask if there would be a problem with my switching to her. She responded that there would be no problem. The hematology oncologist is your most important cancer doctor and you better feel comfortable and trust that doctor. If not, run till you find one that you can trust.
I do not have a network. My hospital is one of the top hospitals in Chicago. I chose each doctor based on oncology surgeon's recommendation. Dr. Bethe recommended my internist, plastic surgeon, and hematology oncologist. I asked Dr. Bethke for another recommendation when I told him that I had mixed emotions on the first one he recommended.
Why can't you keep your surgeon? Just because you change hospitals, that does not mean that you have to change all your doctors.
All my doctors are at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with the exception of my radiation oncologist. She is at Lutheran General Hospital. You just make sure that all doctors have the names of all your doctors and that reports are sent to all your doctors. Three oncology doctors are: hematologist, radiation, surgeon. PLUS your internist.
Keep the doctor you like. Change the one you don't like. Keep all of them informed.
Hugs,
Janelle0 -
I am happy to know that youcarkris said:I am glad you listened to
I am glad you listened to your instincts and changed doctors. Now to get your other symptoms under control!
I am happy to know that you changed doctors and are happy with your decision. Good luck!
Hugs, Megan0 -
Thanks JanelleDifferent Ballgame said:In same practice
It is amazing what I keep learning. The doctor I changed to is in the same practice. It is a BIG PRACTICE. Many hematology oncologists. What I found out is that out of all the hematologists in this practice, 3 were geared for breast cancer, among other areas also. The remaining hematology oncologists were not geared for breast cancer. Before this knowledge, I thought all them did everything. Not so!!! They are specialized or have special interests in certain kinds of cancer.
My internist spoke with new doctor to ask if there would be a problem with my switching to her. She responded that there would be no problem. The hematology oncologist is your most important cancer doctor and you better feel comfortable and trust that doctor. If not, run till you find one that you can trust.
I do not have a network. My hospital is one of the top hospitals in Chicago. I chose each doctor based on oncology surgeon's recommendation. Dr. Bethe recommended my internist, plastic surgeon, and hematology oncologist. I asked Dr. Bethke for another recommendation when I told him that I had mixed emotions on the first one he recommended.
Why can't you keep your surgeon? Just because you change hospitals, that does not mean that you have to change all your doctors.
All my doctors are at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with the exception of my radiation oncologist. She is at Lutheran General Hospital. You just make sure that all doctors have the names of all your doctors and that reports are sent to all your doctors. Three oncology doctors are: hematologist, radiation, surgeon. PLUS your internist.
Keep the doctor you like. Change the one you don't like. Keep all of them informed.
Hugs,
Janelle
Maybe I didn't explain it right. I go to a top hospital in Boston and my surgeon recommended that I have all my work ( CT's, Mammo's etc.) done there from now on. and so I went with her recommendation for the Onc.
Prior to that, I had chemo and rads on the South Shore closer to home.
So I did switch from here to Boston once already.
I guess I was wondering if I switched Onc's in the same hospital (cancer ctr) if anyone would be upset.
Thanks0 -
Thanks for your story andwebbwife50 said:Good!
Hi Janelle, so glad to hear you are so happy with the doc change. It can make a real difference. Happy to hear you are feeling the Holyday spirit. Have a great day! I suffer from neuropathy in my hand too...hugs alison
Thanks for your story and for making us aware that we can change doctors.
Hugs, Diane0 -
As my internist saidLighthouse_7 said:Thanks Janelle
Maybe I didn't explain it right. I go to a top hospital in Boston and my surgeon recommended that I have all my work ( CT's, Mammo's etc.) done there from now on. and so I went with her recommendation for the Onc.
Prior to that, I had chemo and rads on the South Shore closer to home.
So I did switch from here to Boston once already.
I guess I was wondering if I switched Onc's in the same hospital (cancer ctr) if anyone would be upset.
Thanks
As my internist said when I told him I was concerned about the old doctor being upset when I changed to a different doctor in the practice, "What do you care?" My internist was more concerned about me and not as concerned about the first hematologist. He felt that I was more important than the doctor who was not communicating with me. What a guy, my internist! !! He was right. So I am going to tell you, "Don't worry about upsetting anyone YOU ARE THE IMPORTANT ONE." Change your doctor. You will not regret it.
I cannot tell you how HAPPY I am with the new hematologist. She really cares. Does not leave me hanging. Keeps in contact with me. This is a marriage in heaven.
Dr. Regina Stein is my new hematology oncologist. She is a Greek Jew. Before World War II, Greece had 80,000 Greek Jews. Today Greece has 4,000 Greek Jews due to that war.
Lots of Love,
Janelle0 -
As my internist saidLighthouse_7 said:Thanks Janelle
Maybe I didn't explain it right. I go to a top hospital in Boston and my surgeon recommended that I have all my work ( CT's, Mammo's etc.) done there from now on. and so I went with her recommendation for the Onc.
Prior to that, I had chemo and rads on the South Shore closer to home.
So I did switch from here to Boston once already.
I guess I was wondering if I switched Onc's in the same hospital (cancer ctr) if anyone would be upset.
Thanks
As my internist said when I told him I was concerned about the old doctor being upset when I changed to a different doctor in the practice, "What do you care?" My internist was more concerned about me and not as concerned about the first hematologist. He felt that I was more important than the doctor who was not communicating with me. What a guy!! He was right. So I am going to tell you, "Don't worry about upsetting anyone." Change your doctor. You will not regret it.
I cannot tell you how HAPPY I am with the new hematologist. She really cares. Does not leave me hanging. Keeps in contact with me. This is a marriage in heaven.
Dr. Regina Stein is my new hematology oncologist. She is a Greek Jew. Before World War II, Greece had 80,000 Greek Jews. Today Greece has 4,000 Greek Jews due to that war.
Lots of Love,
Janelle0 -
Lighthouse you can switch toNew Flower said:I am glad to see your post
Janelle,
Good for you and I am glad that you feel comfortable and happy with your decision. As I posted previously I changed my oncologist 8 months ago due to lack of compassion and communications. I never regret my decision, however it was not an easy one. I hope your new oncologist will help to identify problem and treat it.
Sending you a big hug,
New Flower
Lighthouse you can switch to anyone in the practice. They are used to it. Where do you go? I get treated in boston too!0 -
It is very important for usNew Flower said:I am glad to see your post
Janelle,
Good for you and I am glad that you feel comfortable and happy with your decision. As I posted previously I changed my oncologist 8 months ago due to lack of compassion and communications. I never regret my decision, however it was not an easy one. I hope your new oncologist will help to identify problem and treat it.
Sending you a big hug,
New Flower
It is very important for us to feel comfortable and safe with our oncologist. I think everyone should seek another opinion if they don't feel they are getting the best care and don't care for their doctor.
Glad you find a good one Janelle!
Sue
0 -
Very happy for you Janelle!Different Ballgame said:In same practice
It is amazing what I keep learning. The doctor I changed to is in the same practice. It is a BIG PRACTICE. Many hematology oncologists. What I found out is that out of all the hematologists in this practice, 3 were geared for breast cancer, among other areas also. The remaining hematology oncologists were not geared for breast cancer. Before this knowledge, I thought all them did everything. Not so!!! They are specialized or have special interests in certain kinds of cancer.
My internist spoke with new doctor to ask if there would be a problem with my switching to her. She responded that there would be no problem. The hematology oncologist is your most important cancer doctor and you better feel comfortable and trust that doctor. If not, run till you find one that you can trust.
I do not have a network. My hospital is one of the top hospitals in Chicago. I chose each doctor based on oncology surgeon's recommendation. Dr. Bethe recommended my internist, plastic surgeon, and hematology oncologist. I asked Dr. Bethke for another recommendation when I told him that I had mixed emotions on the first one he recommended.
Why can't you keep your surgeon? Just because you change hospitals, that does not mean that you have to change all your doctors.
All my doctors are at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with the exception of my radiation oncologist. She is at Lutheran General Hospital. You just make sure that all doctors have the names of all your doctors and that reports are sent to all your doctors. Three oncology doctors are: hematologist, radiation, surgeon. PLUS your internist.
Keep the doctor you like. Change the one you don't like. Keep all of them informed.
Hugs,
Janelle
Very happy for you Janelle!0 -
Yeh to you for changingDifferent Ballgame said:As my internist said
As my internist said when I told him I was concerned about the old doctor being upset when I changed to a different doctor in the practice, "What do you care?" My internist was more concerned about me and not as concerned about the first hematologist. He felt that I was more important than the doctor who was not communicating with me. What a guy, my internist! !! He was right. So I am going to tell you, "Don't worry about upsetting anyone YOU ARE THE IMPORTANT ONE." Change your doctor. You will not regret it.
I cannot tell you how HAPPY I am with the new hematologist. She really cares. Does not leave me hanging. Keeps in contact with me. This is a marriage in heaven.
Dr. Regina Stein is my new hematology oncologist. She is a Greek Jew. Before World War II, Greece had 80,000 Greek Jews. Today Greece has 4,000 Greek Jews due to that war.
Lots of Love,
Janelle
Yeh to you for changing doctors! I think we get afraid to change, like we are going to hurt their feelings if we do. But, like you said, who cares? This is our life, our treatment.
Wishing you continued good health!0
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