Question???

taleena · May 2009

I was doing more reading... and something dawned on me... I've noticed that more often than not, prior to a lumpectomy most of you have met with an oncologist.

I went from the imaging center directly to a surgon... who did the excisional biopsy, who called with the news, who is doing the lumpectomy and node biopsy... and then sending me to an oncologist...

Did I skip a step somewhere... should I have met with an oncologist before the lumpectomy and node biopsy?? gulp..should I cancel the lumpectomy until after I meet with an oncologist?

Thanks...

~T

fauxma · May 2009

It varies. I didn't meant
It varies. I didn't meet with my oncologist until after my lumpectomy.
Stef

taleena · May 2009

fauxma said:
It varies. I didn't meant
It varies. I didn't meet with my oncologist until after my lumpectomy.
Stef

Thanks Stef... I was realy
Thanks Stef... I was realy making myself sick again... thinking I was going in the wrong direction...

PS.. the friend of your coworker.... what an inspiration... and I think the boob hard hat idea is great.. I work in construction too... (Pipefitters... now that is an idea)

~T

Bill.S · May 2009

lump
I went from the mamogram to the surgeon for a lumpectomy (bypassing a needle bioposy).
Cancer wasn't discovered until the lump was out and tested and he did an imediate mastectomy while I was still on the table for the lumpectomy.
Next was to see the radiation oncologist--- who said I did not need radiation.
Then to the medical oncologist who said to get a port and we will start chemo.
Back th the surgeon for the port, some healing time then chemo.

I think everybody has a slightly different story. Some people have radiation and or chemo prior to surgery to shrink the tumor.--- every story is a little different-just follow your Dr's advice. Sooner or later you will meet everybody involved with getting you better.
Bill S.

dyaneb123 · May 2009

fauxma said:
It varies. I didn't meant
It varies. I didn't meet with my oncologist until after my lumpectomy.
Stef

I didn't meet my Onc. until
I didn't meet my Onc. until after surgery either...he has to plan your treatment according to the results of your surgery...right now it would be based on what they think they'll find, and they may find something different...In my case I went in for the lumpectomy thinking that I'd just need radiation. But the margins weren't clear and the found one positive node so that changed the dx and treatment. Anyway, I think that's why you don't meet the Onc. right
away.

CR1954 · May 2009

T............
I didn't meet with my onc until after my mastectomy. The appt. was set up through the surgeon's office, and that's just the way the scheduling worked out.

My surgeon was also in charge of everything until I saw my onc.

Besides, your surgeon won't have a final path report until after your surgery, especially regarding lymph nodes, and that is what the onc pretty much goes by, regarding treatment.

Hugs,
CR

seof · May 2009

each one is unique
Every person's experience is unique and doctors make the best decisions they can based on the individual treatment plan that is best for the patient. I did not have a lumpectomy because the lump was so large and the biopsy indicated cancer in the nodes. I expect your doctors are taking good care of you, but you should always feel free to ask your doctors why they are doing shat they are doing if you are concerned. A well-informed patient is better able to participate in her own healing.

Take good care of yourself, seof

tasha_111 · May 2009

seof said:
each one is unique
Every person's experience is unique and doctors make the best decisions they can based on the individual treatment plan that is best for the patient. I did not have a lumpectomy because the lump was so large and the biopsy indicated cancer in the nodes. I expect your doctors are taking good care of you, but you should always feel free to ask your doctors why they are doing shat they are doing if you are concerned. A well-informed patient is better able to participate in her own healing.

Take good care of yourself, seof

After
I met my oncologist (Dr. Charisma-Bypass) after my lumpectomy too. Hope this helps Jxxxxxxx

taleena · May 2009

tasha_111 said:
After
I met my oncologist (Dr. Charisma-Bypass) after my lumpectomy too. Hope this helps Jxxxxxxx

Thanks everyone...
Now my husband and I both feel better... I don't know why that came up in my head...but it did... maybe I was just looking for an excuse to put off the surgery... maybe not... I don't know.. but I know I feel better... Thank you ... everyone..I'll sleep better tonight.

~T

KathiM · May 2009

I had an oncologist already...
from the rectal cancer. She didn't get involved on my breast cancer till after surgery...and she was still following me on my rectal cancer finished 6 months earlier. It's not known usually till after the lumpectomy and the staging that goes with it whether you will need chemo/radiation or not.

Hugs, Kathi

RE · May 2009

Nope
I did just what you did, as a matter of fact my surgeon reccommended my oncologist which is how I met the doc that would work so hard to keep me here! I think most likely it varies for each of us, but it worked out just fine for me. Take care!

RE

Kat11 · May 2009

The only reason I saw the
The only reason I saw the onc before my surgery, is because I have a team of doctors as they call themselfs. They all introduced themself to me at a meeting with them. The onc did not have much to say at this point, we need to wait for the rest of the story, as far as treatment. This won't happen until surgery is over.

tjhay · May 2009

skipping steps
I went from mammogram to ultra sound to surgeon, mine was based on what tests showed. My surgeon was rite (darn him). I did not see the oncologist till 3 weeks after surgery. Your doing fine, if you have the lumpectomy before seeing the oncologist don't worry about it. You may not even have to see one. (fingers crossed you don't)
Tjhay

Akiss4me · May 2009

Bill.S said:
lump
I went from the mamogram to the surgeon for a lumpectomy (bypassing a needle bioposy).
Cancer wasn't discovered until the lump was out and tested and he did an imediate mastectomy while I was still on the table for the lumpectomy.
Next was to see the radiation oncologist--- who said I did not need radiation.
Then to the medical oncologist who said to get a port and we will start chemo.
Back th the surgeon for the port, some healing time then chemo.

I think everybody has a slightly different story. Some people have radiation and or chemo prior to surgery to shrink the tumor.--- every story is a little different-just follow your Dr's advice. Sooner or later you will meet everybody involved with getting you better.
Bill S.

Well said Bill. I was
Well said Bill. I was meeting so many people involved so fast that I had to start a notebook to keep track of who was who. Eventually you will be directed to the next person each step of the way. Some in different order than others. I was given a treatment plan of lumpectomy + rads + tamoxifen from the start once they had my biopsy report. Now that can all change with my decision & weather nodes are pos after surgery. Either way, since I am being treated in PA I will meet with oncologist last since he will be here in WV and will need all reports to decide. Don't worry....you won't miss a step....they will make sure of that!!

Pammy

cats_toy · May 2009

Hi ~T
As all have said, it really depends on the circumstances, but I do believe we go through the surgery (my surgeon specializes on oncology), then are referred to the Onc.

So, no steps were skipped, just different from some.

Ask your surgeon if you have any reservations.

Cat

Christmas Girl · May 2009

Hi, taleena...
I'm late to your thread, so will only echo what others have already explained. Although we share the BC journey, we travel the road in slightly different ways. Please don't ever compare your own unique situation directly with that of someone else. And having confidence in your own medical care is half the battle.

Some may "meet" an oncologist prior to surgery. But, the oncologist's role usually doesn't kick in until post-surgery final pathology results are available. Unless, of course, treatment (i.e., chemo) precedes surgery.

Kind regards, Susan

Kristin N · May 2009

Hi T!
I met with my oncologist, my plastic surgeon, my radiation oncologist, a nutritionist and counselor, all in one day. My cancer center is a team effort and they want to make it easy on the bc patient by seeing everyone and getting answers to your questions and advice and options. They took my husband and I into a beautiful relaxing room and just came in one right after the other. Noone rushed us or acted like they had anything else to do. It was great. My oncologist went over my treatment options. The plastic surgeon described and showed me what he would do. The radiation oncologist talked to me about rad treatments and what it detailed. The nutritionist, obviously lol, talked to us and gave us a lot of books on nutrition and what has been recommended for a cancer patient to eat in the future. The counselor was there to offer her time to counsel us with anything, concerns, fears, just whatever. It was a great relief to talk to all of them and to know what road I was going to take. I had a very small tumor and had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatments. Tamoxifen is the hormonal treatment offered to me, but, as a few others, I am not for sure that I will take it. But, the final planning of your treatment options comes after your surgery, with the pathology report. That decides everything. You sound like you know what you are doing. You will be fine.

As you can see, everyone varies inre to how the meetings with their doctors went. I liked the way mine meant because I met everyone and knew what to expect, pending the pathology report. But, it changed nothing, thank goodness! Good luck to you!

tgf · May 2009

Kristin N said:
Hi T!
I met with my oncologist, my plastic surgeon, my radiation oncologist, a nutritionist and counselor, all in one day. My cancer center is a team effort and they want to make it easy on the bc patient by seeing everyone and getting answers to your questions and advice and options. They took my husband and I into a beautiful relaxing room and just came in one right after the other. Noone rushed us or acted like they had anything else to do. It was great. My oncologist went over my treatment options. The plastic surgeon described and showed me what he would do. The radiation oncologist talked to me about rad treatments and what it detailed. The nutritionist, obviously lol, talked to us and gave us a lot of books on nutrition and what has been recommended for a cancer patient to eat in the future. The counselor was there to offer her time to counsel us with anything, concerns, fears, just whatever. It was a great relief to talk to all of them and to know what road I was going to take. I had a very small tumor and had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatments. Tamoxifen is the hormonal treatment offered to me, but, as a few others, I am not for sure that I will take it. But, the final planning of your treatment options comes after your surgery, with the pathology report. That decides everything. You sound like you know what you are doing. You will be fine.

As you can see, everyone varies inre to how the meetings with their doctors went. I liked the way mine meant because I met everyone and knew what to expect, pending the pathology report. But, it changed nothing, thank goodness! Good luck to you!

same as you
I had the mammogram ... follow-up with biopsy ... met with surgeon ... had lumpectomy ... and only then after the results of the lumpectomy lab work came back did I see the medical oncologist who set the treatment plan. Prior to surgery it "looked like" I'd only need radiation after surgery ... but after surgery and reading lab results did the oncologist determine my treatament ... which ended up being chemo (taxol/herceptin) ... followed by radiation. The radiation oncologist has set me up to start that part on 6/23 ... and so ... the journey continues.

It's different for all of us ... so try not to worry yourself too much. I know it's hard ... but ... that's where this wonderful discussion board comes in very handy. We can ask anything ... say anything ... and share anything. We're all here to share our experiences and knowledge ... and above all ... we're here to support each other.

hugs.
Teena

Akiss4me · May 2009

Kristin N said:
Hi T!
I met with my oncologist, my plastic surgeon, my radiation oncologist, a nutritionist and counselor, all in one day. My cancer center is a team effort and they want to make it easy on the bc patient by seeing everyone and getting answers to your questions and advice and options. They took my husband and I into a beautiful relaxing room and just came in one right after the other. Noone rushed us or acted like they had anything else to do. It was great. My oncologist went over my treatment options. The plastic surgeon described and showed me what he would do. The radiation oncologist talked to me about rad treatments and what it detailed. The nutritionist, obviously lol, talked to us and gave us a lot of books on nutrition and what has been recommended for a cancer patient to eat in the future. The counselor was there to offer her time to counsel us with anything, concerns, fears, just whatever. It was a great relief to talk to all of them and to know what road I was going to take. I had a very small tumor and had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatments. Tamoxifen is the hormonal treatment offered to me, but, as a few others, I am not for sure that I will take it. But, the final planning of your treatment options comes after your surgery, with the pathology report. That decides everything. You sound like you know what you are doing. You will be fine.

As you can see, everyone varies inre to how the meetings with their doctors went. I liked the way mine meant because I met everyone and knew what to expect, pending the pathology report. But, it changed nothing, thank goodness! Good luck to you!

Wow Kristin...wish I was
Wow Kristin...wish I was going where you went!! That sounds like a wonderful way to meet with everyone.

Pammy

chenheart · May 2009

Meeting the Oncologist
You are on the right course~ after the surgery, I met with my oncologist, who, now armed with the surgical information about my specific case, discussed the treatment plan. No worries! This is neither a right/wrong situation for you...some have been sent to an oncologist first if perhaps the size, placement of the lump would respond better to chemo/radiation BEFORE surgery. Most of us have NOT had this happen to us, though!

Hugs,
Claudia

Kristin N · May 2009

Akiss4me said:
Wow Kristin...wish I was
Wow Kristin...wish I was going where you went!! That sounds like a wonderful way to meet with everyone. Pammy

It was and it made me feel
It was and it made me feel better, knowing my whole team. And, it made me feel like my "cheerleading team" just got bigger. lol It was great support. But, I don't think it really matters, unless you have a personal preference in meeting everyone. It is just the way that this Breast Cancer Center does it and I feel so lucky to have gone there. Like Claudia said, there is no right or wrong way.

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