Hi all
My first chemo got moved earlier so the meeting I had scheduled with my oncology consultant is now a few days after chemo 2. Does everyone meet with them pre each chemo? I called up to see if it could get moved but they said I prob won’t be able to get an earlier slot.
Hi
I don’t know where you are in the world but my experience is with NHS England, in a Regional Centre of Excellence. I did meet with the head oncologist to discuss and sign off my treatment plan but after that, I saw my breast care nurse or, once chemo was underway, the adjuvant therapies nurse, who monitored my progress through the first 9 weeks. I then had a hiccup where I saw more oncologists and oncology doctors than I would have liked (hospitalised with neutropoenic sepsis - inaccurate thermometer!) and then commenced 9 weeks of paclitaxel, again supervised by the adjuvant therapies nurse. I saw a different oncologist just before the end to discuss radiotherapy and then she supervised my HT and discharged me.
Now I (unfortunately) have secondary bc, I do see my oncologist prior to each new cycle as dosage depends on blood results but, even with Stage 4, this doesn’t happen with some chemo regimes, it’s not routine. Of course, other hospitals may do things differently but I’d say no, you don’t see your oncologist before each chemo, you probably won’t see the same oncologist when you do see one - but you can always ask to see the oncologist/doctor on duty at the time of chemo, which is reassuring.
It’s hard at the beginning of treatment but they really do work as a team and don’t overlook anything between them so don’t feel something is amiss if you don’t see your oncologist for a while. Others will be monitoring things carefully. Wishing you all the best for your chemo x
Hi I finished 6 sessions of chemo in May and only saw the oncology consultant for the first one to gain consent and explain side effects. All subsequent appointments were with the advanced nurse practitioner who was also a breast care nurse who I found very knowledgeable and helpful. The letters I received inviting me to the appointments stated that I would see either the consultant or one of the oncology team. My hospital has a large oncology unit and they have around 150 patients a day receiving chemo so I guess it would be impossible for a consultant to see everyone.