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CoolBreeze · 06-12-2012, 06:09 PM

Congratulations on quitting smoking! I quit 25 years ago and can't believe I was ever a smoker. It's really important to avoid those triggers that make you want a cigarette. For example, I used to sit down, pour coffee, light a cigarette and read the paper, so instead I'd go outside, drink tea - change your routine up when there are specific triggers involved and it's less likely.

I do agree that in some parts of your note you have reason to be irritated. It sounds to me like your doctor is not listening to you at all. Maybe you need to be more forceful. "I have pain X, and I want X pain medication. Will you prescribe it for me?" Instead of saying, "The seroma is still there" which is just a statement, I would say, "What am I supposed to do about this seroma; when will it go away?"

FYI: I routinely wait at least 30 minutes, very often more, for my regularly scheduled appointment. I am there at 3:30 and frequently don't get out until 6:30 - even when it's just Abraxane, my "30 minute chemo."

They are always short of nurses, it seems. But, my oncologist is wonderful, forward-thinking, so I'm not leaving. I love the office staff and the nurses. But, they are busy and it happens. I've given my life over to cancer so I can't worry about that time. Once a week for three years, I"ve gone for chemo and I used to be the kind of patient who got upset and angry if I was kept waiting - but now, I just relax. I bring my iPad so I always have something to do. I know they always run behind so I expect it now.

I don't think you can expect doctors to read long emails and respond - that is what exam time is for. Take the top three concerns and ask and don't stop until you get an answer.

I also think there might be a teensy bit of withdrawal going on but you know what? That is okay. You are doing the right thing and you'll feel better soon. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

06-12-2012, 06:09 PM	#3
CoolBreeze Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 562	Re: Fuming Congratulations on quitting smoking! I quit 25 years ago and can't believe I was ever a smoker. It's really important to avoid those triggers that make you want a cigarette. For example, I used to sit down, pour coffee, light a cigarette and read the paper, so instead I'd go outside, drink tea - change your routine up when there are specific triggers involved and it's less likely. I do agree that in some parts of your note you have reason to be irritated. It sounds to me like your doctor is not listening to you at all. Maybe you need to be more forceful. "I have pain X, and I want X pain medication. Will you prescribe it for me?" Instead of saying, "The seroma is still there" which is just a statement, I would say, "What am I supposed to do about this seroma; when will it go away?" FYI: I routinely wait at least 30 minutes, very often more, for my regularly scheduled appointment. I am there at 3:30 and frequently don't get out until 6:30 - even when it's just Abraxane, my "30 minute chemo." They are always short of nurses, it seems. But, my oncologist is wonderful, forward-thinking, so I'm not leaving. I love the office staff and the nurses. But, they are busy and it happens. I've given my life over to cancer so I can't worry about that time. Once a week for three years, I"ve gone for chemo and I used to be the kind of patient who got upset and angry if I was kept waiting - but now, I just relax. I bring my iPad so I always have something to do. I know they always run behind so I expect it now. I don't think you can expect doctors to read long emails and respond - that is what exam time is for. Take the top three concerns and ask and don't stop until you get an answer. I also think there might be a teensy bit of withdrawal going on but you know what? That is okay. You are doing the right thing and you'll feel better soon. {{{{{hugs}}}}} __________________ http://butdoctorihatepink.com 08/17/09 Dx'd. Multifocal/multicentric IDC, largest 3.4 cm, associated ADH, LCIS, DCIS HER2+ ER+/PR- Grade 3, Node Negative 10/20/2009: Right mastectomy, reconstruction with TE 12/02/2009: Six rounds TCH, switched to Taxol halfway through due to neuropathy 03/31/2010: Finished chemo 05/01/2010: Began tamoxifen, the worst drug ever 11/18/2010: Reconstruction completed 12/02/2010: Finished herceptin 05/21/2011: Liver Mets. Quit Tamoxifen 06/22/2011: Navelbine/Zometa/Herceptin 10/03/2011: Liver Resection, left lobe. Microwave ablation, right lobe - going for cure! 11/26/2011: C-Diff Superbug Infection, "worst case doctor had seen in 20 years" 03/28/2012: Progression in ablated section of the liver - no more cure. Started Abraxane, continue herceptin/zometa 10/10/2012: Progression continues, started Halaven, along with herceptin and zometa. 01/15/2013: Progression continues, started Gemzar and Perjeta, an unusual combo, continuing with herceptin and zometa 03/13/2013: Quit Gemzar, body just won't handle it. Staying on herceptin, zometa and perjeta. 04/03/2013: CT shows 50% regression in tumor, so am starting back on Gemzar with dose reduction, staying with perjeta/herceptin/zometa. Can't argue with success! 05/09/2013: Discussing SBRT with Radiology due to inability of bone marrow to recover from chemo. 06/07/2013: Fiducial placement for SBRT 07/03/2013: Chemo discontinued, on Perjeta, Herceptin and Zometa alone 07/25/2013: SBRT (gamma knife) begins 08/01/2013: SBRT completed 08/15/2013: STABLE! continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa 06/18/2014: *** NED!!!!*** continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin, Zometa 01/29/2014: Still NED. continuing with Perjeta, Herceptin. Zometa lowered to every 3 months instead of monthly. 11/08/2015: Progression throughout abdomen and lungs. Started TDM-1, aka Kadcyla. Other meds discontinued. Remission was nice while it lasted. 5/27/18: Stable. Kadcyla put me right back in the barn. I have two teeny spots on my lungs that are metabolically inactive, and liver is clean. I’m beating this MFer. I was 51 when this started and had two kids, 22 and 12. Now I’m 60. My oldest got married and trying to start s family. My youngesg graduates from Caltech this June. My stepdaughter gave me grandkids. Life is fantastic.