HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Losing my med onc

StephN · 06-18-2006, 07:37 PM

On top of my other problem lately, I am losing my wonderful Medical Oncologist. He is pulling up stakes and leaving the misty woods here. This is SO upsetting, as I have been with him since 2000, and have every confidence in his ability to work with my body to keep my cancer at bay. Now, I am faced with the problem of accepting another doctor that I do not know at all. He is the top of the scale here, and there is no one else like him.
I think my plan of action is to set up a consultation or meeting with one that has been recommended before my July appt with the regular doc. This way I can let him know if I am feeling good about that change, or have time to try an alternative before he leaves here.

If I was in active treatment, it would be worse, as it is for some of my friends who are. Some of us are sticking together and sharing information on the other docs who would be available.
Funny that I had a premonition about this earlier this year - that my med onc was thinking about a change. He is also a professor here, as are all my docs.

06-18-2006, 07:37 PM	#1
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Losing my med onc - bummed!!! On top of my other problem lately, I am losing my wonderful Medical Oncologist. He is pulling up stakes and leaving the misty woods here. This is SO upsetting, as I have been with him since 2000, and have every confidence in his ability to work with my body to keep my cancer at bay. Now, I am faced with the problem of accepting another doctor that I do not know at all. He is the top of the scale here, and there is no one else like him. I think my plan of action is to set up a consultation or meeting with one that has been recommended before my July appt with the regular doc. This way I can let him know if I am feeling good about that change, or have time to try an alternative before he leaves here. If I was in active treatment, it would be worse, as it is for some of my friends who are. Some of us are sticking together and sharing information on the other docs who would be available. Funny that I had a premonition about this earlier this year - that my med onc was thinking about a change. He is also a professor here, as are all my docs. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.