[CLTann]

The questions raised by AA are certainly important and pertinent to BC patients. Unfortunately, I can predict that very rarely would one receive such service. No doctor is willing to spend one hour for a patient regardless the circumstances.

I live and work in a very large and profitable hospital in one of the big metropolitan centers. Even with my professional background, my onc and surgeon never would spend more than 10 minutes with me. At the 11th minute, they would stand up and ready to leave. They are there for profit, the primary purpose of their business. Of course, there are tens of patients waiting to see them too.

This is precisely the reason and purpose of this support group. We can help each other, without the set time limit, to advise and help less informed or experienced with our own personal happenings as our backdrops.

I made my own decision and plan on how to treat. My onc objected to my primary plan but reluctantly accepted my second alternate plan. His plan was the same, run of the mill, standard bc treatment protocol endorsed by American Cancer Society and FDA. Just last week, I changed Fosamax to a nose spray for bone density protection by myself, with my onc's tacit approval.

Doctors are afraid to be out of line lest the patient may sue them. Thats the common top priority. That's how our system works.