Did you all get a second opinion?

MsGebby

I am hoping for a second opinion just to make sure I am on the right path to recovery. I just feel so robotic in this war. I mean, someone TELLS me to see so and so, and to go this facility for diagnostic test or this hospital for surgery. That makes me feel like I am not part of the team. Does that make sense? I have actually set up an appointment to see the specialists at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia. Have you heard anything about them? I just want to make the most qualified decision about my cancer. I don't want to be lead around on a leash and told what to do rather than being made aware of what ALL my options are.

I do like the oncologist I saw last week. She answered all of my questions and even went as far as to bring up information she has access to on her computer to show me how some of her plan was come to. SHe knew I wasn't a dummy and needed to reassure me that she wasn't one either.

I don't know ... is getting a second opinion going to make me more crazy than I am now?

Questions Questions

xoxo
Mary

grams2jc

I hear you
I didn't get a second opinion on surgery etc. The radiologist surgeon and my family doc all agreed. I am now seeking multiple opinions about a recommended hysterectomy. Go with what makes you comfy. Don't 2nd guess yourself

Good luck. Hang in there

Jennifer

Lynn Smith

grams2jc said:

I hear you
I didn't get a second opinion on surgery etc. The radiologist surgeon and my family doc all agreed. I am now seeking multiple opinions about a recommended hysterectomy. Go with what makes you comfy. Don't 2nd guess yourself

Good luck. Hang in there

Jennifer

My cancer was
My cancer was DCIS non invasive with a 1/2 centimeter tumor.My doctor talked at a convention about my case and it was decided no chemo or radiation but take tamox for 5 years.Maybe something else after that.My oncologist (who he referred me to) was at the meeting and said it was the right thing.I like her. But now after 2 years I wish I would've got a second opinion.My intenal medicine doctor also told me it was the right decision but in my heart I don't know.

I don't know what your dx is.What Stage etc so I don't know what to tell you.Many never get second opinions.I remember over and over my surgeon said EVERYONE is different.That sticks with me too.

Best of luck.Let us know what you decide. If you go somewhere else let us know if it is the same treatment that was advised the first time. That would be interesting to know.

Lynn Smith

Hubby

The more opinions the better
My wife was treated at Sloan, but we went to another reputable cancer center for a second opinion. I've read on this board about women getting 3rd and 4th opinions. You need to be comfortable and educated about your own treatment. Everyone is different, and the doctor's treatment recommendations may be different too. My wife wanted to do a less agressive chemo than the first opion doctor suggested, then we went to the second opinion doctor and she said NO do the more agressive treatment!!!!!! So, she did. For us, the second opinion reinforced what my wife needed to do.

camul

Mary, I have been with my
Mary, I have been with my onco for 10 years, he was my mothers and is my sons. In Sept.2010, I was diagnosed with stage IV, mets to all bones, skin, and a spot on my lung. I told him I was sending all my tests results and history to City of Hope for a second opinion. He was all for it. Fortunately, they came back with the exact same treatment plan, even the same chemo schedule. They told me that I had a very good oncologist.

Before starting chemo, I went to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for a third opinion, as well as checking into a trial. Insurance does not cover trials so that was out. I did not feel confident with the Dr. as she had all my info for a month, I paid cash, flew 2000 miles, and she hadn't even opened my file. And she was suppose to be one of the best.

But, through all of this, my onco here was very respectful of my need to know that I was doing the right thing. This made me even more confident that I was taking the right path. I still question everything and he laughs, I have disagreed and we work through it. I am confident that he has my best interest at heart.
Do what you need to do to make this journey work for you. A good doctor understands.

Prayers and best to you.
Carol

MsGebby

Omagosh ... I am now hearing
Omagosh ... I am now hearing some not so good things about the Cancer Treatment Centers so I will probably forego them. But I will seek out a second opinion at the Cancer Institute in my home state. I will say that I know I have made all the right decisions thus far. The surgeon is one of the most respected surgeons in the country. She recommended the onco doc and I know a few people who have gone to her and they are very comfortable with her. With this information I should feel put at ease. But I need to know for sure that she is right with her diagnoses for me. *Sigh*

I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I am stalling. I really don't want to do this. It scares the bejabbers outta me! It's been 5 weeks since surgery. SO I have some time.

I am just going to take one breath at a time and enjoy this lovely weather for a couple of weeks.

Love to all my pink sister

carkris

MsGebby said:

Omagosh ... I am now hearing
Omagosh ... I am now hearing some not so good things about the Cancer Treatment Centers so I will probably forego them. But I will seek out a second opinion at the Cancer Institute in my home state. I will say that I know I have made all the right decisions thus far. The surgeon is one of the most respected surgeons in the country. She recommended the onco doc and I know a few people who have gone to her and they are very comfortable with her. With this information I should feel put at ease. But I need to know for sure that she is right with her diagnoses for me. *Sigh*

I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I am stalling. I really don't want to do this. It scares the bejabbers outta me! It's been 5 weeks since surgery. SO I have some time.

I am just going to take one breath at a time and enjoy this lovely weather for a couple of weeks.

Love to all my pink sister

I didnt get one on the
I didnt get one on the surgery as i chose the surgery I wanted. I did get a second opinion on the chemo. Just for peace of mind.

disneyfan2008

I did NOT get 2nd opinion! I
I did NOT get 2nd opinion! I just went on what my LONG term ob/gyn suggested (BEEN with him for 20 yrs) even with my recent hysterectomy due to Tamoxifen I did not get 2nd opinion

Denise

I should re word that...My OB called my Onocologist and came up with my game plan..but I DID not walk in to office of another Dr (in regards to Hysterectomy)

laughs_a_lot

no second opinion for me
Though normally I would be all for this, I did not do it when I got my diagnosis. Early in the process I felt there had been enough delays in getting from one step of the process to the next. I felt a second opinion would delay treatment. Good thing I followed my instinct on this one as I found out that I had an agressive form of bc.

The best thing to do is to follow your instincts on the second opinion issue. There is an important reason we are given instincts. (Because they are usually right).

smalldoggroomer

Do what makes you
Do what makes you comfortable. Trust your gut. I got a second opinion and as it turned out it was a good thing I did. I just wasn't comfortable with the first one.
Then My Dr, (PC )strongly suggested I go to Moffitt cancer center. There I was Dx correctly. I was comfortable there. I trusted them and knew it was right. Its your health. Your in charge. This journey is hard enough without worrying about your medical team.

MsGebby

Couldn't believe this one
I went to see my PCP for other issues. He talked for a bit about how I am feeling and then sat down to look at my reports from pathology. He says, "ah that's good. no lymph node involvement". He didn't read the report top to bottom which tells the whole story. He then decides that he wants to prescribe Femara. I looked at him and said I am seeing an oncologist. He says "did you know that's my specialty?" I just blinked. He sends the prescription electronically to my drug store and then hands a prescript for something else.

I take the drugs home and the first thing I did was call the oncologist. Know what she said? Femara is a drug prescribed AFTER post chemotherapy! Guess who is looking for a new PCP?

Can you imagine???