I don't understand why a Hematology Oncologist Denies a Side Effect

carkris said:

I dont know I was so lost
I dont know I was so lost during chemo. so sick and the docs kept saying it wasnt the chemo. Well lets think I wasnt that way before and I wasnt that way after hmmm. I ruined their curve I guess. It didnt help me and in fact it was so frustrating and hurtful. then afterwards the NP said :well you will be tired for a while. We beat the sh@t out of you! go figure! At my last checkup my doc said "you look so healthy" and was delighte! Helllooo
If it wasnt for the ladies and gentlemen on this board I would have felt like a freak.

I am with both of you
They all (docs) denied everything instead of helping manage side effects even before they could appear. I have heard so many times" most patients do not have have side effects at all", just take a pill. Or they take Chemo on Friday and go to work on Monday. So funny , my radiation oncologist told me that I could be back 90% in 1month after I finished radiation. So poor me and my hubby thought 90 % back to normal pre-disease conditions. RO meant 90% as I was before stating radiation. There I was 9 months in non-stop treatment expecting to be back to normal, pre-cancer conditions. 6 months after I finished all invasive treatment when I told my oncologist that I felt more fatigue and less healthy than when I have had stage III cancer he stopped breading and sent me to psychiatrist for consultation . Psychiatrist a very nice woman agreed that oncologists never admit that the treatment could cause short and long term side effects beyond information published by pharmaceutical companies.

The bottom line - please stop denying, help us manage and prevent irreversible complications.

grams2jc said:

They don't know, they haven't been here
When I told my MO that I hated rads she said, "yes, when people get rads and chemo at the same time I always tell them it's the rads causing the side effects", LOL, pass the buck. They haven't been down our road and don't know what they are doing to us. From one specialty to another they have no clue....my rheumatologist asked me if Tamoxifen causes joint pain...REALLY? Silly man, come on the breast cancer board and get that answer.

It's great that you found a doc who gets it and will keep an open mind. I realize that my docs may not know, but none have them have tried to tell me I am wrong about what's happening to me. I am with you, they wouldn't be my docs for long if they did.

Let us know the answer to the question after you ask it at your support group meeting, I know we are all interested in hearing,

Jennifer

I understand
I understand how you feel.It isn't the problems with treatments with me but problems getting biopsies done at a decent time.Tumors are small.I have benign tumors, cysts and had 1 teeny malignant(non invasive).BUT when something else is found my doctor seems to not want the breast center to do it then the tables turned.Now the breast center will do my biopsy.I waited 2 weeks for a consultation for a excisional with him. Now he said it is a needle biopsy and has no idea what I am talking about.How in the world would I get that in my head IF I wasn't called by his office.He said surgery rooms are scarce and a wait where the breast center can get my biospy done within 2 weeks.I called the breast center frantic and they are on it.They said the wait shouldn't be as long as I think.They were sorry I had to wait the weekend.

So now just getting my biopsy appt. I was told to call them if they haven't called me by Monday. They even called my doctors office and got on it.The order is supposed to be sent soon along with other surgery orders.I'm sure not all breast biopsies or at least I HOPE not.

My gastro doctor and my urolgoist were fired within months of each other and now this. I've never been jacked till my dx with cancer. My gastro pressed on my stomach with a hernia.It caused serious problems.He knew it was there.Knew pressing would aggravate it.My urologist wants high radiation tests on me even with cancer.I got a doctor who does a minimal test and gets the same results.I won't argue anymore. I don't need the stress.

Glad you found a understanding oncologist.I have been in such a tizzy waiting for my biopsy that my oncologist did a tumor marker test for me.It was good but still I am a wreck.I understand some can be false and not good readings.AND this tumor is small like my cancerous one was.

Some doctors offices are just to busy and some pass things off.All in our heads.If you never had this before and have it now DA it is the radiation.I am sure many people are affected in different ways.One might have one problem but when talking to another they might have another problem. Doctors need to listen.

Lynn Smith

I can totally understand
I can totally understand that. The first oncologist I saw told me (after having my lumpectomy and DCIS diagnoses, who btw never read my chart to see that I was having a mastectomy) told me that I really didn't have cancer, just precancer!!! I am so glad I don't have to see any oncologists now. Although I did find a really good one, it is just one less dr. to see and less drugs to take. I think some drs. are just A.W. (a#$ wipe). They have a god complex because they have a medical degree, have never gone thru what we have, are insensitive and unable to comprehend our complaints and concerns. Unfortuneately, not every one has the guts to stand and say "You're Fired!!" and complain to their bosses. After all the crap I have gone thru, I have no problem anymore. The last gynocologist I saw told me very haughtily and with the god complex that DCIS was precancer. I shot back with all the info I know, informed her that HER head of oncology at the clinic she WORKS for considers it a true cancer and if that is her archaic opinion I could not have her as a doctor and told her she was fired!!!

carkris said:

I think its universal.
as I
I think its universal.
as I said the fellow kindreds helped me feel ok, and you still do. I work as a nurse and some of my colleagues were mad that I was working 8 hours instead of 12. these are medical people. Lately i have been wonderinghow I failed, when I worked so hard in the 8 hours I was there. but looking it at it from your prospective, puts it in its place. the docs say you will be better you make decisions based on that, and then when it takes longer you wonder "whats wrong with me?" I am far from a wimp, and used to pushing myself. It hurts. I think they wonder if they tell it like it is, people will opt out or quit. My experience is that people fight hard and if they stop its because the side effects are life threatening. But if they were more honest about the potential, you wouldnt feel so alone and could make more informed decisions. I cannot emphasize how the people here sustained me.

They are afraid we will refuse the treatment
What is about Chemo brain?
I asked at my first consultation." It a miff, however you should not drive after treatment. Mastectomy impacts the brain, you already done with it, so problem in the future" Yeah right

Janelle
My MO has worked with my gyn in trying to help alleviate my hot flashes. He knows I'm having a hard time of it but I told him I'll deal with them because I feel it is in my best interest to continue the Arimidex. He knows my bone pain is a bit worse but time will tell when I get my next bone density test done. So, he acknowledges that Arimidex can make some of my already existing problems worse but doesn't want me to stop taking it because of the benefits.
{{hugs}} Char

carkris said:

I dont know I was so lost
I dont know I was so lost during chemo. so sick and the docs kept saying it wasnt the chemo. Well lets think I wasnt that way before and I wasnt that way after hmmm. I ruined their curve I guess. It didnt help me and in fact it was so frustrating and hurtful. then afterwards the NP said :well you will be tired for a while. We beat the sh@t out of you! go figure! At my last checkup my doc said "you look so healthy" and was delighte! Helllooo
If it wasnt for the ladies and gentlemen on this board I would have felt like a freak.

I don't get it either why
I don't get it either why they don't know more, or, if they do, they just won't say maybe?


Good luck!


Leeza