A Second Opinion on Second Opinions

Posted by stevenyc @stevenyc, 6 days ago

Whether it's this community, or LinkedIn, or some other connection channel, people often say "make sure you get a second opinion". And three things about that that go through my mind.

1) I don't really have many options. I don't have private healthcare insurance. My health care is through the VA. I don't have significant money saved, and I know the out-of-pocket expense of a second opinion could easily reach high five digit dollars.

2) I don't feel like I have time. I was diagnosed with cancer on 21 October. My tumor has Ki67 90% and is poorly differentiated. It's now exactly 1 month since that diagnosis, which was later staged at T3. It being the holidays now, I feel like just scheduling the second opinion would set me back several weeks. And for all I know, that second opinion could take several different consultations. Just getting to where I am - still pre-treatment - has taken over 5 weeks.

3) I kind of feel like with the enormous progression in diagnostic technologies, there's not that much "opinion" left in the diagnoses anymore.

4) It seems as though the process I've been going through has second opinions "baked in". The medical oncologists are constantly cross-checking with the surgical oncologists, and they convene a "tumor board" to review diagnostics and opinions collaboratively.

I'd love to hear thoughts on all of this.

Thank you,

Steve S, Brooklyn NY

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goldenshadow | @goldenshadow | 5 days ago

Hi Steve this is good that there conveying back and forth. A tumor board is good because they discuss the best treatment for your cancer. It might be chemotherapy alone or combination of radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery. There are different scenarios they can try. Try and stay positive. I had T3 my treatment was flot treatment so 4 treatments of chemo every other week for 2 months waited 5 weeks then I had surgery. Then waited 4 more weeks and had 4 more treatments of chemo the same way every other week for two months. Then had my pet scan done in July all clear. I’ll have scans done every 6 months for 2 years. So after treatments and surgery I have to eat smaller meals because I get full quickly. So I eat more meals a day usually 4 or 5 . Walk and exercise daily to build my stamina and muscle back. I’m so grateful that I had great doctors and nurses throughout this journey. Also my family were a great support system. Throughout all this I was determined not to have this cancer define me always positive. I believe you can do this. Remember there are others of us on here that can help with any questions you may have. Wishing you all the best on this difficult journey. Scott

mk52dk51 | @mk52dk51 | 5 days ago

Hi Steve. My husband had an esophagectomy after 4 weeks of chemo, the 28 days of radiation with 1 chemo weekly.
His case was presented at a tumor board at UCHealth. Due to a previous surgery, the esophagectomy used the colon for the new conduit.
I learned about 2 docs in different states that were considered the experts of these procedures. Our doc agreed that second opinions can be valuable. But that doesn't mean we have the time, money or insurance to act on these opinions. And he was lucky to get scheduled with his current team for revision surgery.
So I think your thoughts on this are spot on, from my perspective. Its daunting to get the opinions, no less deciding how and if to act on them.
Hang in there. Be strong, have hope and faith in your docs. Thats what we do.