Comment by onc. haunts me

[Bev]

Hi, his remark about the kids made me depressed. For me I'm going to worry about the cancer I have now instead of the one I may get down the road from treatment. I'm thinking positive that with the internet, patients will be more informed and info will be shared more quickly with researchers. I think there's light at the end of the tunnel if we can hang in there with Herceptin. BB

A lot of people here have gotten chemo and herceptin for stage 1 breast cancer. You may want to seek a few more oncology opinions and educate yourself further to help you determine what is best for you. By the way, I didn't think your doc had very nice commments concerning you and your children. Not sure this is the kind of man I would want to get treatment from.

Just wanted to add that no matter how many people have or have not been treated for the same stage of breast cancer, every case is unique and requires individual treatment decisions. I hope you get the second opinions that you deserve to make a decision that you feel comfortable with.

[Jean]

Susan,
Just read your post! I am sorry that you are dx with bc. It sounds as if you are recently dx. It is not easy to digest all the informtion along with the fear and worry. In your post you only mentioned that you were Stage 1 (which is
favorable) were you node negative, what was your er/pr status (very important) and what was the size of your tumor? If you are concerned about having chemo visit the post on "do you fit this profile" and read about the Oncotype Dx test. This may be of some assistance in helping you make decisions regarding treatment.

My heart goes out to you - I too am stage 1 - er postive Pr neg. node negative
her2+++. My oncs. did not recommend chemo or herceptin.

As far as that dr. goes - you already know that he is not the doctor for you
or anyone else for that matter. It is a shame you had to be exposed to that on top of the dx.

Continue to search for information and you will be able to make the best
decision for you.

All Good Wishes,
Jean

[Liz J.]

Hi there,

I am sorry you had this awful experience. Some of the drs. need to be trained in human relations/compassion.

I don't know if anyone else on the board was told what I was told, but the first onc. (Thank God I didn't use him, had no bedside manner) and the second onc. (Who is a God send) both told me that the cut off for not getting chemo was 1 cm. I was given chemo as mine was 1.5 cm. I don't know if this is something they agree on in Brooklyn or what. I was dx in April '05 as stage 1, ER,PR and HER2 positive. I had a mastectomy, 6 rounds of CAF and am now getting Herceptin every 3 weeks.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Get another onc. and hang in there.

Hugs,

Liz J.

[Petesmom]

I am stage I for the second time around. I have never had chemo or Herceptin but I am taking Arimidex this go round and I did have rads the first time as well as Fareston for 5 years. Your oncologist probably is burned out but that should not be your problem. You need someone who will help you make decisions and support you. My oncologist wouldn't win any awards for bedside manner but he is very thoughtful, very, very smart and up to date. He is willing to listen to me when I bring in articles or concerns about my treatment. You hang in there and find a doc who can help you make decisions and be supportive of your treatment. Blessings to you.

Petesmom

[Jean]

Liz,
Just curious - on your dx. were you node negative or positve.

Wishing you the best.
Jean

[Liz J.]

Hi Jean,

Node negative. God willing they got it right.

I was diagnosed 2004 with e and p positive stage 1 her ++
but was not offered herceptin or chemo
only rads and now arimidex
is it too late to ask for herceptin now

[Lyn]

Geee, the version I would give him is that my statistics on retirees is they usually drop dead within 6 months or develop a terminal illness, I like your chances better than his, you can tell by the stories on here that there are far more oncologist who know what they are doing than that old dinosauer, he probably sniffs ether at night to get to sleep, he is doing everyone a favour by getting out, but then if he has a family I feel sorry for them with his attitude to life.

Love & Hugs Lyn