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LT
LT Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Finally! Girls who I can schmooze with who don't freeze the minute they remember I've been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was diagnosed on Aug. 12th - got the news by phone in the parking lot of Lowe's, but that was my fault, not the radiologist, the day before school inservice started. I was a wreck, but couldn't afford to miss the next day since I'll have to be out later. People have been super supportive, but it's either a sweet pat on the back or s super smiley face attitude. I'm kind of outside the loop because if anyone is griping about anything, they go silent immediately when I come in because they think their complaining is petty compared to "my new reality". I understand their feelings, but I just want my old reality back - I like being the caretaker not the other side.
Question - Why are you sent to a surgeon first instead of an oncologist? or was it just me?
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  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #2
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    Welcome, LT
    We're all here to support and encourage each other. Great to have loving support from family and friends. Yet, only those who receive a diagnosis really and truly understand the experience.

    Surgery is often the first step; hence, surgeon is first up. Final post-surgery pathology results will determine recommended next treatments. That's when the oncologists come in. Some patients meet all three - surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist - at the very beginning.

    Visit often. We'll be here for you.
  • LT
    LT Member Posts: 31
    #3
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    Christmas Girl said:

    Welcome, LT
    We're all here to support and encourage each other. Great to have loving support from family and friends. Yet, only those who receive a diagnosis really and truly understand the experience.

    Surgery is often the first step; hence, surgeon is first up. Final post-surgery pathology results will determine recommended next treatments. That's when the oncologists come in. Some patients meet all three - surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist - at the very beginning.

    Visit often. We'll be here for you.

    Thanks
    I appreciate it. I've been trying to just put on a good face at work and home, but it's the night hours that are the worst. Not sleeping or waking up every hour with that heaviness that won't go away. Has anyone had experience with severe vertigo since diagnosis? I was taken to the emergency room Sunday for it and the doc said it can be triggered by stress????? I actually thought I was handling everything ok but....
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #4
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    Welcome
    Hey LT. Welcome to the boards. I met with my team of doctors all on the same day. I think several here did. I met with my oncologist first, to go over my treatment plan. I met with the plastic surgeon then, to go over my surgery. Then, the radiation oncologist came in to inform me of what rads would be like and introduce himself. I, personally, think you should always meet your oncologist first. They are the ones to give you treatment options, not your plastic surgeon, and, they are the ones that will watch you for years, so, you want to build a rapport with them. But, that is just my opinion. Good luck to you LT!

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #5
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    susie09 said:

    Welcome
    Hey LT. Welcome to the boards. I met with my team of doctors all on the same day. I think several here did. I met with my oncologist first, to go over my treatment plan. I met with the plastic surgeon then, to go over my surgery. Then, the radiation oncologist came in to inform me of what rads would be like and introduce himself. I, personally, think you should always meet your oncologist first. They are the ones to give you treatment options, not your plastic surgeon, and, they are the ones that will watch you for years, so, you want to build a rapport with them. But, that is just my opinion. Good luck to you LT!

    ♠♣ Susie ♠♣

    I have Vertigo, but I have
    I have Vertigo, but I have had it for years so its not from Chemo for me. I have found that when I get really stressed out that it acts up. Now my doctor claims its not related to stress at all. Vertigo is an inner ear problem. I got it from going on an airplane when I had a cold. Be carefull reaching for items and bending over, this will trigger it. My Vertigo comes and goes. Just be carefull so you don't fall. It's scary to have this. Good luck.
  • traceyt
    traceyt Member Posts: 77
    #6
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    LT said:

    Thanks
    I appreciate it. I've been trying to just put on a good face at work and home, but it's the night hours that are the worst. Not sleeping or waking up every hour with that heaviness that won't go away. Has anyone had experience with severe vertigo since diagnosis? I was taken to the emergency room Sunday for it and the doc said it can be triggered by stress????? I actually thought I was handling everything ok but....

    Welcome
    LT though sorry for the reason. You will find much comfort here with this awesome network of survivor women! Night time is the worst, at least it was for me when I was first diagnosed last month, but it does get better this new reality. The best advice I can give is have a positive attitude and allow yourself time to grieve,get mad, cry, rant & rave...we have all been there and need that release in order to move forward. You will find strength you didnt know you had! Everyday is a gift unwrap it. Since being diagnosed I have a new found patience, I now make sure the people in my life know how much I love and care for them, I notice the simple beauty around me--a warm sunny day, a butterfly, birds singing, flowers blowing in the summer breeze. Having this positive, look for the good, attitude it what gets me through to fight this dreaded disease. I do know what you mean about the looks, I remember feeling the same way....I was at one of my kids end of the season sports events and I felt so weird wondering how everyone could be going on with their lives when mine was changing so drastically, I mean I felt fine, nothing had changed physically but here I was with BC. The next day I woke up with a whole different attitude,from then on I decided I would face this thing head on and fight to see my babies grow up!
    Come here for support, comfort, advice, and even laughter
    We are here for you!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #7
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    Hi LT
    Just wanted to welcome you aboard. My round of Doc's consisted of Surgical Oncologist, then Medical Oncologist, then Radiation Oncologist. Thrown in there, inbetween, has been my GYN, PCP, Geneticist, Nuerosurgeon and Orthepedic Doc. Not to mention the numerous techs, radiologist, nurses and add 3 hospitals and 3 seperate Doc offices to divide all these up in. OMG....all in the last 3 1/2 months!! No wonder I am sooooo tired. ♥ Pammy
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #8
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    Because they first attack
    Because they first attack the cancer locally and remove the tumor. Then, if they think it is necessary, they treat you systemically, in hopes of destroying any stray cells. This will reduce the chance of relapse in the future.
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #9
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    Because they first attack
    Because they first attack the cancer locally and remove the tumor. Then, if they think it is necessary, they treat you systemically, in hopes of destroying any stray cells. This will reduce the chance of relapse in the future.
  • tjhay
    tjhay Member Posts: 655
    #10
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    Welcome Lt
    Welcome Lt to the boards, you will find that this place will become a second home to you. Many of the girls have already addressed your question so I want to tell you what I did about the funny looks, the pats on the back, and the silence.
    When all of this started I did not feel sick and kept insisting that I was not sick, in fact I refused to admit it until after I was done with treatment. So can you tell that I am sturbon? Anyway when I notice that my friends and family were trying to protect me from all there stuff. I sat them all down and I told them that the most important thing that they could do for me was to not treat me differently. I explained that for my own mental stability I need to feel and think as if nothing had changed. Yes I was in the fight of my life for my life, but life was all about dealing with the everyday stuff. If and when I felt that I needed a break from all the everyday stuff I would tell them so.
    You see even though you are about to go into battle you need to feel and be apart of everyday life, if you don't that is when you isolated, and alone. You need to let them all know that. You need to be open and honest with them just as they do you. I found nothing more frustrating then it always being about the cancer. You will need the break from talking about how you feel, emothionaly, physicaly, and mentaly. They including you in everyday life including there gripes, there joys, there mundane will keep you in the loop which is a big part of feeling normal. That is a big thing.
    This does not mean that you should not feel free to talk about what is going on with you, it just means that you want to be apart of life. Not just sit there and watch it go by why you fight for your life.
    Good luck with your treatment, and all that goes with it. Remember that you are part of a whole new family and that we are hee for you in every possible way that we can be.
    tj
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #11
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    Welcome, LT, you are at a
    Welcome, LT, you are at a good place for support in your fight against bc.
    I saw a surgeon first, also, now a radiation oncologist. Berst wishes in your treatment.
    Stop by often & let us know how everything is going.
  • lszk4kids
    lszk4kids Member Posts: 10
    #12
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    LT said:

    Thanks
    I appreciate it. I've been trying to just put on a good face at work and home, but it's the night hours that are the worst. Not sleeping or waking up every hour with that heaviness that won't go away. Has anyone had experience with severe vertigo since diagnosis? I was taken to the emergency room Sunday for it and the doc said it can be triggered by stress????? I actually thought I was handling everything ok but....

    Sleep?
    LT, I've been awake since Aug. 11th. Someone made me the welcome committee for each new hour from about midnight till 6. The job is now being passed on as I am scheduled for surgery in about 6 hrs. and I'm thinking they will probly put me to sleep for several hrs. maybe a couple of days with the pain meds. So, goodnight and God Bless...Karen
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #13
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    Hey LT,
    I saw my surgeon
    Hey LT,
    I saw my surgeon first and he went over the dx and treatment options with me. I didn't see the onc. until after my surgery.And I didn't see the radiologist until after the onc. So , it's step by step.You may not need chemo or radiation depending on what they find during surgery. Good luck!
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #14
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    Hi LT
    Welcome and I'm glad you found us, not for the reason, but just that you are here. I too saw a surgeon before the oncologist, so I presume that is the order of the beast fighting crew. You will become very good friends with your oncologist (she told me that at my first visit) and we have. I trusted her with my life and she came through for me. Keep coming back, these ladies are the most wonderful group I have ever met.
    Pat
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #15
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    Welcome LT
    Welcome to the board LT. YOu will find lots of support here. There is always someone who has been where you are or are currently going thru what you are going thru. You can vent here anytime because we are truly here for you about anything.

    As far as the sleep goes, please dont go days on end without sleeping. Contact your internist to see if he would order something to help you sleep to use periodically. You might also consider trying an antianxiety med such as xanax. Anxiety can make your heart race which can make you feel dizzy. Xanax is a fast acting but short duration medication that will take the edge off. I wish I had found it 1 month sooner. I think it would have helped me.I also went on an antidepressant about 6 wks ago and I feel so much better.

    This diagnosis is very difficult both physically and emotionally. We here really get it, but those who havent been there just dont get it. Its not their fault, they just dont know.

    Post anytime...someone is always up

    HUgs
    Linda t
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #16
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    Welcome LT
    Hi, LT and welcome. I, too, started with my surgeon and didn't see my oncologist until after the surgery and final pathology. I have also met with my radiation oncologist. I am in the early stages of fighting this beast. I have only had my first of four chemo treatments with the next one being next Thursday. I have gained a lot of information from this wonderful site and you'll find a lot of support as well. Someone on here has been through almost any question someone has asked. Good luck and keep us updated.
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #17
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    welcome LT
    as the others have already pointed out, welcome to the club no one wants to join. But you will find a amazing group of people here.
    My first referral after diagnosis was the Oncology surgeon, specializing in bc surgery, then the regular Onc, who is great because she is always at the forefront of research, then the Radiation Onc who lives in the basement of the hospital (dont' they all?)
    and the people in your life will react in so many different ways, but it sounds if if they are there for you, so that is wonderful too.
    Let us know how it's going for you
    Cat
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #18
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    cats_toy said:

    welcome LT
    as the others have already pointed out, welcome to the club no one wants to join. But you will find a amazing group of people here.
    My first referral after diagnosis was the Oncology surgeon, specializing in bc surgery, then the regular Onc, who is great because she is always at the forefront of research, then the Radiation Onc who lives in the basement of the hospital (dont' they all?)
    and the people in your life will react in so many different ways, but it sounds if if they are there for you, so that is wonderful too.
    Let us know how it's going for you
    Cat

    Lt
    Hey LT! Sorry you are here as a result of a diagnosis of bc, but, you have found an amazing group of bc survivors that will help and support you! I met with all of my doctors on the same day. That is the way my breast cancer center does it now. My oncologist explained my diagnosis and my choices to me. I liked that I met him first as it gave me so much more information than any of the other doctors. Although, I have changed to a different oncologist now, in the same breast cancer center though. Good luck LT!

    Lex♥
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #19
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    I saw the surgeon first. He
    I saw the surgeon first. He determined that I needed chemo first to shrink the tumors because of the size. So he sent me to an onc. It's like he was calling the shots. He picked the rads doc too. It all worked tho. I had to have more chemo after the surgery. Good luck with treatment.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #20
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    Alexis F said:

    Lt
    Hey LT! Sorry you are here as a result of a diagnosis of bc, but, you have found an amazing group of bc survivors that will help and support you! I met with all of my doctors on the same day. That is the way my breast cancer center does it now. My oncologist explained my diagnosis and my choices to me. I liked that I met him first as it gave me so much more information than any of the other doctors. Although, I have changed to a different oncologist now, in the same breast cancer center though. Good luck LT!

    Lex♥

    Hi LT and welcome! It looks
    Hi LT and welcome! It looks like everyone has given you good advice. Just want to welcome you here and hope we see more of you!

    Hugs!
  • Cat64
    Cat64 Member Posts: 1,192
    #21
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    Hi LT
    Welcome! You have definetely come to the right place. I was diagnosed the day b/4 you were. It does change your life in more ways than one. As for the pats on the back & the smileys, that's just ones way of letting you know they are there for you, they care, and to try to keep a posotive attitude through all this! Some people just don't know what to say. At the end of your battle when your cancer is gone, you will one day have your "old reality" back. It just may take a while to get there.
    I too am a caretaker, but, now you have to realize the only person that needs taking care of is ("YOU"). YOU are most important right now. What you want, what you need! Believe it or not, they will survive without you.
    I was also sent to a surgeon first. We discussed what I have, what I need to do, what I wanted to do, and then he reffered me to the Oncologist to go over my course of treatment. He will probably do further testing to determine if I can handle the treatment or not. Every situation seems to be different. Keep reading the board, asking ?'s, you will find an enourmous amount of info here. My surgeon was impressed with my knowledge, it was all because of the people here!
    Keep us posted!
    Prayers & Hugz
    Cat

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