Donna in Hollywoodland

I Luv My Doctor

Second day back to work, and I had to stop off this morning at the Breast Surgeons and get the infection checked.

When she walked into the room, her first question was "So how did the meeting at the Oncologists go ?"

Big Rule - never bad-mouth doctors to their colleagues. Always say something positive.

I said "I thought it was very informative. And I got alot of information. He seems to be a very well-informed doctor. He certainly told me the truth about things. But you know .. I just don't know what I think about this whole thing."

She said "Yeah, he called me and we talked."

I said "Let me get this straight... Do I have these numbers right ? Right now, I have a 30% chance of getting cancer somewhere in my body ? And the chemotherapy only lessens the chance by a quarter - 7.5 % - down to 22.5 % ? Its not going to cure me?"

The Breast Surgeon replied "Yes, thats right. No one can completely cure the cancer. We can only lessen the chances that it will come back."

I said "The oncologist sure didn't sugar-coat anything. He told me the Chemotherapy drugs could possibly have side effects of Heart Failure or maybe even kidney failure?"

She replied "Yes, he and I spoke about this. The chemotherapy drugs could make you so dehydrated, that you could go into Renal failure."

I looked her straight in the eye "If I had kidney failure, I wouldn't want to be put on a kidney dialysis machine."

She said "Well, that will have to be something you will have to think about and decide. We can't make any guarantees about that."

I told the doctor I had discussed this with friends, with my sister, and my minister - and I don't know if I can take the risk of chemotherapy.

She said "Yes, do your soul searching, and make your decision. You will have to figure out what you want to do. But don't worry. I am in this for the long haul. No matter what you decide to do, I will still be your Doctor. "

"Oh, good I am so glad to hear that." I said.

She said "The only time I get worried, is when patients won't investigate, and won't look into treatment options, and try to ignore it. If you research this, and make an informed decision, I don't have a problem with that. It is your choice."

I then said "If I don't do chemotherapy - will the Radiologist still want to give me the radiation treatment?"

Her answer was Yes. That as it stands now, I have a 50% chance of the cancer coming back in that same breast. But if I get the radiation, my percentage for breast cancer in the same breast goes down to what it was before I got cancer. In other words, Normal.

We then looked at my incisions, especially the one that got infected.
I told her that all I could do was change the bandage in the shower, dry it off, and then quickly stick another bandage on it.
I just couldn't stand to do anything else to it. It was to much looking at it.
She said that was fine. And that the incision looked good, and that the infection was all gone.

I said "Oh, good - are you going to sew it back up?"

No, she can't sew it back up or it might get infected again. It will have to heal like this.

Oh, dear - a few more weeks of looking at the Crater-looking-hole in my breast.

As I left, we made an appointment for another oncologist, for me to get a second opinion.

Then, I stopped into the Lab to get the blood tests that the first oncologist had ordered.
You know, I waited over an hour for my turn. I sat in the lobby playing computer games on my cell phone.

When the technician finally saw me, he turned out to be the best technician I have ever had. He used a Butterfly needle on my teeny-weeny veins, and got plenty of blood on the first poke with a needle.