Met W/ Local Oncologist Today - MD Anderson Monday

MaggieCat

Thought this appt. was cancelled ( I did call them) when MD Anderson put me on their schedule.  Surprised to get a call "reminding me" of the appt!  So I met with the local recommended oncologist.  He doesn't know me from Adam's house cat so I mainly listened for most of the session. 

His opinion - must do chemo - Taxol (paclitaxel) - along with Herceptin (standard of care treatment).  Sees no need for staging scans -PET, etc . 

My bit of commentary - He didn't take the time to question my decades struggle with Fibrocystic disease, microcalcifications, lumpectomies, etc.  Would that make a difference in whether or not to look more closely?  Never even got there.

He was ready to send me down the hall to have blood drawn when I said I needed to think through all of this. ... and pulled out the ATEMPT clinical trial info and briefly reviewed my understanding... oh and mentioned the MD Anderson upcoming visit.....

Wow...

So... off to MD Anderson   Hope your day was 1/2 as much fun!!!!  Maggie

duck1255

Local oncologist

This sounds so much like the local small town oncologist I initially saw. He was all gloom and doom and wanted to start chemo right away. I said no I wanted a second opinion at Cleveland Clinic and I am very glad I did. It was a total different experience no chemo just hormone therapy and the whole attitude is more upbeat and positive

GlowMore

Good for YOU**

Good for you Maggie...........for some reason I thought you went to Texas last week.......but lately my days are running together ....  Thanks for keeping us up to date on this stuff you are going thru.........it is so interesting to me that they all want to use the Taxol ......they wanted to use that one on me too and that was 12 years ago...but I decided on a more gentle chemo (if you could call it that)...my Onc told me that he considered Taxol the "Big Guns"....which actually is the reason they want to use it....because they want to kill it ALL ....and so do you.   It is just sometimes maybe it isn't necessary..........my Radiation Onc talked about how chemo wasn't even needed if you got the right Radiation.... they all have their favorites etc........BUT THIS IS YOUR LIFE ....AND YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS FIGHTING TO STAY ALIVE. Hang in there girl and keep us posted.   Thoughts and Prayers.............xxoo

 

rainsandpours

GlowMore said:

Good for YOU**

Good for you Maggie...........for some reason I thought you went to Texas last week.......but lately my days are running together ....  Thanks for keeping us up to date on this stuff you are going thru.........it is so interesting to me that they all want to use the Taxol ......they wanted to use that one on me too and that was 12 years ago...but I decided on a more gentle chemo (if you could call it that)...my Onc told me that he considered Taxol the "Big Guns"....which actually is the reason they want to use it....because they want to kill it ALL ....and so do you.   It is just sometimes maybe it isn't necessary..........my Radiation Onc talked about how chemo wasn't even needed if you got the right Radiation.... they all have their favorites etc........BUT THIS IS YOUR LIFE ....AND YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS FIGHTING TO STAY ALIVE. Hang in there girl and keep us posted.   Thoughts and Prayers.............xxoo

 

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in here, although I'll be legit very soon (got a Birad 5 with enlarged axillary nodes 8 days ago waiting on biopsy now).

I had a similar experience with one of my other cancers (3 timer here).  I currently have a Thyroid recurrence of mediatinal nodes, and have seen 2 experts regarding my options.

Surgeon #1 (he has operated on me 3 times prior), has written me off.  Said today for the 2nd visit in a row that there's nothing he can do, he won't operate, doubts insurance would pay for it anyway, and told me he's re-referring me back to the cancer centre.  Jesus.

Surgeon #2 is his adversary.  I got a referral from my GP late Sept, met with him Oct 1st.  He ordered a biopsy to confirm it's thyroid (instead of kidney cancer which I've also had).  He called this past Wed to discuss the pathology and treatment planning.  He is confident he can get the tumor out, is going to use the latest technology with nerve monitoring, will try his best to minimize risk.  He also ordered a laryngoscopy scope to check my esophagus and vocal cords pre-surg.  On top of that, he will perform a complete neck and chest lymph node mapping the morning of surgery to ensure they go after the right area.  The tumor is in a dangerous spot abutting my jugular vein, under my sternum.  Risks are >20% of complications.

I'm glad I sought out that 2nd opinion with the new super doc.  He gave me hope.

 

My point is, they all think so differently.  You made the right choice to go elsewhere.  It seems to me that the younger specialists are willing to try new things, even if they're not typical protocol.

So now I wait for neck surgery #4 while at the same time dealing with likely BC too .  I hope it's ok for me to read this forum.  I'm pretty scared!

 

 

button2

rainsandpours said:

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in here, although I'll be legit very soon (got a Birad 5 with enlarged axillary nodes 8 days ago waiting on biopsy now).

I had a similar experience with one of my other cancers (3 timer here).  I currently have a Thyroid recurrence of mediatinal nodes, and have seen 2 experts regarding my options.

Surgeon #1 (he has operated on me 3 times prior), has written me off.  Said today for the 2nd visit in a row that there's nothing he can do, he won't operate, doubts insurance would pay for it anyway, and told me he's re-referring me back to the cancer centre.  Jesus.

Surgeon #2 is his adversary.  I got a referral from my GP late Sept, met with him Oct 1st.  He ordered a biopsy to confirm it's thyroid (instead of kidney cancer which I've also had).  He called this past Wed to discuss the pathology and treatment planning.  He is confident he can get the tumor out, is going to use the latest technology with nerve monitoring, will try his best to minimize risk.  He also ordered a laryngoscopy scope to check my esophagus and vocal cords pre-surg.  On top of that, he will perform a complete neck and chest lymph node mapping the morning of surgery to ensure they go after the right area.  The tumor is in a dangerous spot abutting my jugular vein, under my sternum.  Risks are >20% of complications.

I'm glad I sought out that 2nd opinion with the new super doc.  He gave me hope.

 

My point is, they all think so differently.  You made the right choice to go elsewhere.  It seems to me that the younger specialists are willing to try new things, even if they're not typical protocol.

So now I wait for neck surgery #4 while at the same time dealing with likely BC too .  I hope it's ok for me to read this forum.  I'm pretty scared!

 

 

Dear rains and pours,

I don't blame you for being scared. I'm glad you posted all your experiences. I think your history helped you to find this new surgeon. When we are first diagnosed, we don't realize there are many options and it is so good of you to inform us of what you've been through. I welcome you to this board and wish you the best of luck going forward.

Keep posting, Anna

GlowMore

rainsandpours said:

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in here, although I'll be legit very soon (got a Birad 5 with enlarged axillary nodes 8 days ago waiting on biopsy now).

I had a similar experience with one of my other cancers (3 timer here).  I currently have a Thyroid recurrence of mediatinal nodes, and have seen 2 experts regarding my options.

Surgeon #1 (he has operated on me 3 times prior), has written me off.  Said today for the 2nd visit in a row that there's nothing he can do, he won't operate, doubts insurance would pay for it anyway, and told me he's re-referring me back to the cancer centre.  Jesus.

Surgeon #2 is his adversary.  I got a referral from my GP late Sept, met with him Oct 1st.  He ordered a biopsy to confirm it's thyroid (instead of kidney cancer which I've also had).  He called this past Wed to discuss the pathology and treatment planning.  He is confident he can get the tumor out, is going to use the latest technology with nerve monitoring, will try his best to minimize risk.  He also ordered a laryngoscopy scope to check my esophagus and vocal cords pre-surg.  On top of that, he will perform a complete neck and chest lymph node mapping the morning of surgery to ensure they go after the right area.  The tumor is in a dangerous spot abutting my jugular vein, under my sternum.  Risks are >20% of complications.

I'm glad I sought out that 2nd opinion with the new super doc.  He gave me hope.

 

My point is, they all think so differently.  You made the right choice to go elsewhere.  It seems to me that the younger specialists are willing to try new things, even if they're not typical protocol.

So now I wait for neck surgery #4 while at the same time dealing with likely BC too .  I hope it's ok for me to read this forum.  I'm pretty scared!

 

 

rains & pours.....thank you so much

Thank you so much for sharing with us ...because you are so right on point about how differently the doctors are........and how very important it is for us to be aware that we do have choices.   Sounds like you have been through a lot and I sincerely hope you won't be joining us here on a permanent basis ....I pray that your biop turns out ok as far as breast cancer goes.  Please let us hear how it went.  But you have enough to deal with without adding BC to your long list. Of course you are welcome here....all humans dealing with cancer are welcome on any of the boards I would imagine....   What would be a warning to have your esaphagus double cked?  (I don't know all the technical terms)  I know that the radiation I had after my Lumpectomy was breast/under arm and collar bone....which is near the throat.... and I have had a few problems with swallowing ever since then.  Did have a test done where they tilted me up on some kind of board and I had to drink some chalk stuff while the doctor was watching my esophagus in some way or other... it was ok then....but that was probably 8 years ago and it has gotten worse.   Keep us posted about your surgery and the outcome of the biopsy.... I know you are terrified and you have every right to be.  Sending Prayers for strength ....you already have the Courage....   Glo

MaggieCat

rainsandpours said:

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in

Hi.  Pardon me for posting in here, although I'll be legit very soon (got a Birad 5 with enlarged axillary nodes 8 days ago waiting on biopsy now).

I had a similar experience with one of my other cancers (3 timer here).  I currently have a Thyroid recurrence of mediatinal nodes, and have seen 2 experts regarding my options.

Surgeon #1 (he has operated on me 3 times prior), has written me off.  Said today for the 2nd visit in a row that there's nothing he can do, he won't operate, doubts insurance would pay for it anyway, and told me he's re-referring me back to the cancer centre.  Jesus.

Surgeon #2 is his adversary.  I got a referral from my GP late Sept, met with him Oct 1st.  He ordered a biopsy to confirm it's thyroid (instead of kidney cancer which I've also had).  He called this past Wed to discuss the pathology and treatment planning.  He is confident he can get the tumor out, is going to use the latest technology with nerve monitoring, will try his best to minimize risk.  He also ordered a laryngoscopy scope to check my esophagus and vocal cords pre-surg.  On top of that, he will perform a complete neck and chest lymph node mapping the morning of surgery to ensure they go after the right area.  The tumor is in a dangerous spot abutting my jugular vein, under my sternum.  Risks are >20% of complications.

I'm glad I sought out that 2nd opinion with the new super doc.  He gave me hope.

 

My point is, they all think so differently.  You made the right choice to go elsewhere.  It seems to me that the younger specialists are willing to try new things, even if they're not typical protocol.

So now I wait for neck surgery #4 while at the same time dealing with likely BC too .  I hope it's ok for me to read this forum.  I'm pretty scared!

 

 

Thanks for Sharing... scared too!

Been raining and pouring here!  When is your surgery?????  Please stay with this wonderful group and keep us posted.  Bags packed and fly out first thing in the morning.  Will upate when I know more.