Wellness

[wagirl]

Jan--way to go girl, by pressing the issue with your dr even tho she treated you kind of rotten. Nothing bad about standing up for yourself. Bravo!!!  And going to see another dr is good too and maybe even a 3rd one. I had breast cancer so don't know about the current treatments out there for other forms of cancer. However, information is always a good thing to have on your side and even tho there is a boat load of garbage on the Internet, there is also as much good info too. So sorry your platelets are not behaving but change is the one constant in any cancer. It never is the same. You'll get thru this thing and having a good old fashion sob party is a great way to help relieve the stress so sob away!! Your days will get better and you have us too!! We'll snap you out of it!! But continue your search. Remember, YOU are the boss!!!!

PAM

[Azuresky]

Pam, thank you for your post and your encouragement.  I made sure the doctor knew I wasn't unhappy with her or my treatment, I just want to try other forms of treatment.  I don't think she is used to patients questioning her, I also think she doesn't want to manage the side effects from the IP chemo. I am concerned now about her willingness to recommend clinical trials.  One of the oncologist nurses works part time at another cancer center and she told me after the doctor had left that treatment varies from hospital to hospital, I think that was her way of saying go for it. I did feel better after my big crying fest Thanks again....Jan

[AkaGoldie]

Jan, I'm really sorry your Dr refuses to hear you out. I would suspect you're correct in assuming she doesn't want to deal with the side effects. Or doesn't feel confident in her ability to take care of you. When I went to the cancer center , the dr told me that many Drs won't do ip chemo, because they don't know how. I think it was just wrong of her to chastise you for inquiring about Ip treatment.  After all, ip treatment  is not OUT of the mainstream, it is the mainstream treatment.  I know of three friends and relatives that have been diagnosed with ov ca , in the past three years and all three of them were given ip treatment. ALL at different hospitals and different parts of the country. So ip chemo,to the best of my knowledge, IS the standard of care, for women with advanced ov ca. 

What do you plan to do Jan? Like Pam said you are the boss. 

I just did a brief Google check and American cancer society,  says ip chemo lengthens the woman's life span. ( my dr told me 14 months) . Look up cancer.org and search for ip chemo. I just can't believe your Drs attitude. . I'm sorry your platelets were too low to get your treatment. Btw, what's your ca125? Has it gone down since you started chemo?

Goldie

[Azuresky]

Goldie, thank you, I can't begin to explain how badly I felt after the conversation with my doctor, she actually laughed at me.  I had researched IP chemo before talking to her and I had that same information about IP extending life. She is in charge of the cancer center where I get my treatments, all of the oncologist nurses came from the office she had  before, and she brought them with her to the cancer center. I am going to talk to my gynecologist oncologist, I have an appt with him on 12/2, he is the one who referred me to this oncologist. He is with the same hospital network but works out of a hospital that is on a different side of the city, that hospital is much busier and sees many more patients. I am going to ask about switching medical oncologists and seeking treatment at that treatment center after I have completed my 6 cycles of IV infusion. I am also going to talk to my insurance company about the costs of going out of network, I don't know if we can afford to do that but I am going to check. My CA125 has always been in the normal range, 11 before my cancer DX, and now it is 5. I was told that the CA125 is not a good indicator for me  Jan

[Gracies Mom]

Jan--Your oncologist had some nerve speaking to you like that! How can you work with her when she is being obstinate and bullheaded? Are you being looked after by a team of specialists? I would definitely ask another team doctor about IP chemo--or change to a different oncologist--it's YOUR life and you must do what you see fit. I get so angry when I hear about doctor's having a hissy fit when all a patient wants is to get the best treatment for their disease.

My friend Debbie was diagnosed with widespread ovarian cancer a few weeks ago and is undergoing regular and IP chemo-without having her oncologist argue with her--it seems to be the way to go now.

Do what you feel is right--and if that means switching to a different oncologist, then that's what you do. Your doctors should be working WITH you, not against you.

By the way, have been feleing much better--looks like I'm over the c.diff colitis--WOOHOO!! Am still in a tizzy when I think about my December PET scan.....

Blessings to all!!!!!!

[AkaGoldie]

the dr that's giving you chemo now, isn't a gyn oncologist, there's your problem. You should be able to find a gyn onc within your network. This makes me so angry , how dare her laugh ! I'd like to see her go through ovarian cancer, and have someone laugh at her. That's just so wrong , on every level. I'd LOVE to get my hands around her neck, I can't stand it.  

Ca125 isn't a good test for you. It's not a very reliable test for anybody, but unfortunately it's all we have. 

Try to think through this rationally, (I'm not helping) and do what's best for you.  I will support you no matter what you decide to do. It's no ones life but YOURS. You do what feels right to you. 

Goldie

[AkaGoldie]

graciesmom, so glad you're feeling better. 

Now the job is to keep you busy till your pet scan, 

get out the yarn and knit the worlds longest scarf! 

G

[bow regard]

Well, Jan....that woman who is treating you who calls herself a doctor has gotten all of our ire up.  How dare she talk to you like that!   How dare she treat you like that!  She could have conveyed her thoughts on your treatment to you in such a different manner....a little kindness maybe....not with such arrogance.  I just have to tell you that her opinion just based on the way she reacted to your questions, is enough for me to question her treatment plan.  Talk about ego......!!!!!   GRRRRRR!

I don't know one whit about your cancer, but I do know about the way doctors...and especially cancer doctors.....should deal with patients.

I want to encourage you to stay on the internet and keep researching.....you can discern between crack pot info and info with substance.  Most all of my doctors tell me to look stuff up on the internet.....they are not afraid of discussing all options with me and they show me respect both as a human being and as a patient.

You are absolutely the boss of your doctors....they work for you....and it's great when a doctor is willing to work WITH you and other caregivers....as a team, in a real battle for your life and well-being.  Remember....you are in this battle to survive....not to worry about some imbecile doctor's feelings.  Only you can care about yourself like only you can .... you have to live with yourself so be kind to Jan and take good care of her.  All of the things you mentioned that you are going to do makes good sense to me.  When I first dealt with my breast cancer, I got the opinions of three oncologists and I am so glad that I did.

I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.....keep all of your options open.....see who you can when you can......keep getting opinions until you feel good about the manner in which you are being treated.    

[maestra]

I am so sorry azuresky that your doc was a bonehead. Makes you want to tell her to spit in the wind.-Don't do that, but go ahead w/your other appt.s and maintain your calm as much as you can.

[maestra]

For the 2nd day in a row my principal told me how happy she was that I was back-and that there were no errant 12 year olds running crazily through the halls. Now if she came up with more than a 1% annual raise I could see staying for 1 more year. But it had better be a BIG raise.