A Few Misc Questions on what's next?

[PatriceH]

I've already been through chemo (carboplatin, Taxotere, herceptin) for 6 cycles. Lumpectomy, radiation.

My first onc moved away so I switched to another at the same office. The first onc said I would get "time served" for the herceptin I had during the touch chemo. Which would put me at the end around June (treatment every 3 weeks)

We stopped during the surgery and radiation phases because he wanted each step to be pure on it's own merits.

Started back on herceptin in November. Onc #2 says I have to start the year in November and No, I don't get to count "time served"...which puts me into November 2010! Yuck! That we have to start over because the break was too long. Anyone else experience this?

Onc #1 said I would have mammogram or MRI alternating each every 6 months. Onc #2 says, no just Mammorgrams once a year. This scares me to death! Anyone else heard of this "plan?"

I asked about PET Scans and bone scans. Onc #2 said they don't prove much, you just end up with a bunch of tests in the end. That he monitors via thorough physical and reports from me about pain. Onc #2 says I would see him and surgeon alternating every 6 months. ANyone else heard of this "plan?"

How could doctors at the same facility be so different in their approach?

Despite the fact that Onc#2 is so businesslike and clinical and Onc#1 was friendly and made me feel comfortable. Onc#2 made me cry...but did losen up a little when I told him I wanted to make sure he was treating a person and not a national standard...the term he used to respond to all my questions.

I won't see him for another 12 weeks, although herceptin treatments continue...so at least I have 12 weeks to gather my courage to face him again and clarify these questions after input from the real experts...people who have lived through it.

Thanks for you input!