Negative doctor
 

My sister has stage 2 HER2+estrogen/progesterone negative breast cancer. The tumor was about the size of a walnut when first diagnosed and discovered. There is no lymph node involvement.

Her treatment plan by her main oncologist was TCH 6 rounds, herceptin for 1 year every 3 weeks and a double mastectomy and 1 lymph node removed. No further treatment. Her mri/CT scan was negative.

Her presurgery breast doctor appointment revealed that the tumor was completely gone. Her oncologist then did a clinical breast exam revealed no presence of a tumor. She had a very bad fungal infection on her one breast and surgery had to be delayed until it was cleared completely. The rash didn't heal up until late December. The oncologist gave the go ahead for surgery but wants an heart echo and one last herceptin treatment prior to surgery which delays it until February sometime.

I called the nurse scheduler for the breast surgeon and she was very negative. Every time I speak to the nurse she says that we should have done this and that belittles me. (My sister is mentally handicapped and I schedule her appointments for her). I have medical training and was a nurse aide for over 15 years. I am going by the oncologist's recommendations. He didn't allow her to have the surgery until her rash was healed. He's a very positive and says my sister's prognosis is excellent. How do you deal with a negative medical personnel and doctor?

Re: Negative doctor
 

If I like the doctor I will continue to go there, even if I don't like their staff because the staff is not the one actually treating me. I went to the same doctor for 15+ years when I didn't care for the staff. I would just ignore the scheduler beyond the date and time of the appointment she's scheduling for you.

If there's a problem with the doctor, I would look for a new doctor because they are the one treating you.

Good luck.

Re: Negative doctor
 

I would mention it to either the Dr or the office manager. How well you're treated could make the difference in you referring someone else there. This may be an ongoing problem that other people have complained about and get that person fired or at least start them looking at it.

Re: Negative doctor
 

Have you contacted the surgeon's office? Are we talking about the nurse of the (medical) oncologist (= chemotherapy doctor) or the (surgical) oncologist (= surgeon)

In a general hospital there's usually a special team comprised of the oncologist, the surgeon, the nurse practitioner, the social worker, ... etc. There's usually a person who coordinates the whole scheduling stuff. Please find out if there's such team available in your sister's hospital. Otherwise, stay in close contact with the oncology nurse. They are usually very busy and under a lot of stress (don't we all?), but they will get things done right.

Re: Negative doctor
 

In my cancer journey, I have come to really understand that the staff are a good indicator /representation of the physician. My first onc was horrible, staff did their makeup while I stood there waiting to check out. So glad I went with a different doctor.

Re: Negative doctor
 

Hi there . I am sorry that you have had to deal with this. I understand you were following the Onc recommendations.
I am a nurse and have worked for both Medical Oncologists and Surgeons.
The simple fact is Medical Oncs follow Medical Tx and Surgeons do surgery. There is often time a dispute even between Drs.
However it is never acceptable for a surgical nurse to give her opinion over a Med Onc. recommendations. Worse to belittle the caregiver and make her question the decisions she has made. Terrible. I've seen this behaviour.
The bottom line is you sister has received excellent care and it sounds like she had a full pathological response from the Chemo, which is fabulous. Focus on that and rest assured when she is medically cleared, that is when she should have her surgery.
Best wishes dear!