Oncs prescribing tests

Christmas Girl said:

Hey, outdoorgirl...
My own onc is much like yours, and Mimi's. He a BC specialist - doesn't treat any other type of cancer. And affiliated with one of the two local universities with major medical programs. Involved with clinical trials, too - has even spearheaded a few. So, I'm exceedingly grateful to have been referred to him. And, am utterly confident in his care. That being said... Yes, medicine is a combination of science (technology, drugs, procedures, etc.) and art (human knowledge, experience, etc.). It's not (yet) perfect. The human body is not like a car; therefore, doctors cannot function like mechanics. Even the best doctors can make "mistakes"...

With all that being said - my onc doesn't believe in "unnecessary" tests. I know this because I've wondered and asked about other things, too.(*) He thinks they cause too much stress and anxiety for the patient. Prior to, during, waiting for results that show "nothing"... How many threads and posts are there here about the anguish of waiting for results?

I had a myriad of tests: pre-surgery, post-surgery, pre-chemo, during chemo, post-chemo, etc. ... At this point, I have regular follow-up appointments which include thorough physical exams, blood work for various things, annual bone density scans (because of the meds). In addition, there are the all important yearly mammos and visits to my ob/gyne (crucial), etc. ... One thing I did after BC diagnosis, I consolidated ALL of my doctors under the same health care organization (exceptions: eye doctor & dentist, because I love them both - and, they're very close by). Therefore, ALL of my doctors - including the non-BC ones - have access to EVERYTHING via computer. I never have to get copies, take them with, drop them off, and all that jazz. If this is possible, I highly recommend it.

(*) How many times do we remind others that every patient and their diagnosis is unique, and every patient's treatments and - importantly - response to their treatments are, therefore, not the same. Some times, we need to remind our own selves of this, I think.

Kind regards, Susan

Susan,
It was good to get your reply.You always seem to know what to say!I "get" everything that you said too.
My onc is very devoted to what he does too! Someone was explaining once how devoted he is to his patients and the fact that he takes it personally when someone gets a reccurance or dies.I really like him a lot-to get a second opinion never entered my mind,because I've always felt like I had the best!
I have all the same tests that you have done. My family doctor was the one who set me up for the Dexa scan,and also a colonoscopy. And my onc wants all of the results. And I wanted the same thing as you-everyone under one roof(except for my eye doctor and dentist who are actually under one roof too-both in the same building!).But yes,all my other medical caregivers are all affiliated with the same hospital,and all on the same database,so I don't have to pick up copies of reports either and bring them around! It's very nice!
And yes,when I've had slivers of moments of doubt in the past because of something-my husband has told me too that every patient is different!

Thanks for being a good friend and telling me what I needed to hear!