Oh wow how do I begin … I am absolutely distraught! I met my Oncologist on Wednesday (hubby in tow). We were at least 15 seconds in the room before he even acknowledged us! He then said he was going to talk and then I could ask any questions.
Never once did he look up from the screen and commenced into some monotone speech which became completely inadiable when he turned to face a graph (out of my vision - even with specks on) and spouted some statistics with no explanation.
He the muttered something of Letrozole and zoldronic Acid and said that’s what you will take and you then said mmmmm percentage of this against that is mmmm mutter mutter. You can ask a question now.
Both of us were totally dumbfounded, so much for you will discuss and have choices. He then presented papers in front of me and forced my signature, even though he could clearly see how confused I was.
i am so upset and worried.
i now have a treatment plan which I have had no Input in and if I’m honest I don’t actually think it’s right for me.
i have done a little research regarding Letrozole and can only see that totally destroying my life. I still suffer from sweats. These have come in waves for me. They were really bad at one point so I had some medication. They now appear to be coming back with brute force (before taking the Letrozole). The last two nights I’ve had to abandon my bed and change my PJ’s (ughh).
The hospital called Friday afternoon to start preparation of radiotherapy. My Onco DX Test came back splat in the middle of definitely do and don’t. I was told I would make the choices. I don’t particularly want chemotherapy but I don’t want to take that toxic stuff.
Can you ring your breast care nurse and consultant and ask to see them about this. There is also the PALS team at the hospital that you can contact to ask for assistance in dealing with this, perhaps they can change your oncologist.
My oncologist explained everything to me, gave me lots of booklets about rads and my hormone treatment , went through the side effects of rads etc., before I was even asked to sign the consent form I was given the opportunity to ask questions and he answered all of them. He took down my medical history and through that we identified that I could not take letrozole because I had had a bone density test a few months earlier which had shown that I have osteoporosis in my spine so it is not suitable as one of its possible side effects is bone thinning.
hi Mysti,
Sorry to hear about your consultation, it is so difficult when professionals do not comminicate properly. Are there other bcn’s in the team you could talk this through with?
Reading about side effects of hormone therapy can be alarming, but many of us do tolerate it ok or at least find any side effects manageable, inevitably, those with problems report it, which is so anxiety provoking when you know its going to be part of yoir treatment plan. I’ve been there myself!
As the helpline said, you dont know until you try it how it will be for you, so try not to pre-judge it, there are also other treatment options eg tamoxifen.
do take care
ann x
So right, Patricia.
I remember googling tamoxifen, reading the threads here & getting anxious & overthinking it, only to find that I tolerated it well.
Yes, some of us will have problems, but many do not & understandably, the problems get reported.
These drugs are well researched & have a proven track record & the only way to find out how it will be, is to try it.
ann x
Hi … thanks for the input ?. I am still stressed to hell. Don’t even know why I allowed him to do as he did. I don’t think I have any real confidence in his decision and I feel I was almost blackmailed into signing the papers.
even if he’d just have explained his decision then I may have felt better. I don’t think he took on board anything about me or the family history. He already made that decision before I even got to see his face (which was not immediate - he left us standing in the room)
if i just go go with this I will be forever worrying and feeling let down. ?
I do now believe this man is a self centred arrogant (which word do I use). Two people have attempted to get him to see me again. He has refused but then later suggested he may be able to do so in two weeks time. That will be past the point of no return for me. (Sneaky)
Amazingly, today I have spoken to my BCN (the one who completely disappeared of the face of the earth).
anyway, this evening I have taken the Letrozole. God help me. I do wonder who will take responsibility if things go wrong.
We saw Mr Oncologist again today. Wow how very different. My faith is restored. I have begun taking the dreaded Letrozole and am already experiencing some of the side effects. I will persevere for now. The Zoledronic Acid will be pumped through my veins in early April. I am still very apprehensive about this. At least I feel confident that I am now being looked after. Thank you Mr Oncologist.
No input. Recently diagnosed myself. Just want to say my heart goes out to you. I met with my oncologist for the first time today and he seemed to be looking at my nose or forehead not my eyes, that was a bit disconcerting and made me feel like another cog in the machine rather than a human. They are recommending pretty heavy duty chemo and I am worried like you. Wishing you the best.