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How much time do I have to get a second opinion?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Oct 12, 2022 | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
It was very difficult for me as it is for everyone when I was told that I had breast cancer. I was quickly assigner a surgeon, radiology oncologist and a medical oncologist. After meeting them, I quickly learned that it should be up to me to choose my team. They weren’t bad, I think it was just a bad match. So, I got on health grades, read reviews, looked at our local (Siteman) cancer center and found it is the top 10 in the US! I thought I needed to check the Docs out and made a second opinion appointment with the breast surgeon! She was wonderful!! I can’t say enough great things about her! After that I met with the rad oncologist & med oncologist. I just can’t tell you how happy I am that I followed through and am thrilled with my new team!! And my surgery was only delayed for one week because of the change! It could have gone the other way and I might have stayed with the first team? My point is that I think you owe it to yourself to be happy and confident with your team of doctors. Even personalities matter. You have to be able to talk to them, be comfortable asking questions and feel that you are on the same wavelength with every one of them! It’s just too important. If there are any doubts, do something now rather than regret it later!!
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I was diagnosed with DCIS in August & was also assigned a surgeon, oncologist & radiology oncologist. Doctors get thrown at you so fast it makes your head spin. I had a lumpectomy in September. I have an appointment with a cardiologist due to family history of severe heart disease & the effects on the heart with different treatments & meds. I’m seeing him before deciding on any further treatments. I have also considered switching to Siteman since I’m not to thrilled with my oncologist. I had to request an Oconotype DX DCIS test. I wasn’t sure what dr ordered this so I asked all 3. During my initial visit with the oncologist she said it was radiology oncology that ordered the test. When I went to see radiology she was surprised & said it’s the oncologist that orders that. I feel like she begrudgingly ordered it due to my insistence. Several weeks ago I asked how long before results came & I’m still waiting on an answer!! I think there’s enough uncertainty in a cancer diagnoses & oncologist appointments aren’t cheap that I should have gotten an answer by now. I don’t need the added stress of an unresponsive oncologist since I’m going to need one for quite a while so I’m going to look for a 2nd opinion on radiation & a different oncologist IF I ever get the results from the Oconotype test. I think doctors sometimes forget that we are the customer!