Last Monday afternoon I met with a surgeon who immediately walked me to an oncologist that I was not prepared to meet. She talked a lot and sort of touched on her plan to treat this kind of cancer. She ordered a simple genetic test and blood work to be done that day. She ordered a bone scan and CT scans of my brain, chest, abdomen, and pelvis to be done later that week.
Tuesday I went to work. While I was there, another surgeon (the one my PCP recommended) called me and talked with me. She was very kind and went over all my results. She gave me her cell phone number and told me to call her any time. She prayed with me on our phone call. She recommended a different oncologist and texted him so I could get in to see him the next day.
Wednesday I went to see this other oncologist and he was very knowledgable and said all the right things. I then went to see the surgeon that had called me. The 1st oncologist called and contradicted a few things that the 2nd oncologist had said and just rubbed me the wrong way.
Thursday I went for an MRI of the breasts that the surgeon had ordered. I was supposed to have a PET scan that the 2nd oncologist ordered, but the insurance denied it because they had already approved the scans that the 1st oncologist had ordered. I called the 2nd oncologist's office no less than 8 times to try and figure out what to do and never could talk to anyone beyond reception. Left 2 messages that have still not been returned.
Friday I had outpatient surgery to put in a port for chemo. I was supposed to meet with a 3rd oncologist but she moved the appointment because she was afraid it would be too much for me after my surgery.
I recovered from the port placement this weekend.
Today I had all the scans that the 1st oncologist ordered, then went to meet with the 3rd oncologist. She was able to immediately see all the scans that I had just done. She was very smart and good at explaining things and is the one I will be using. She also gave me all her contact information and was very kind and caring. While I was there, I met with the nurse navigator, the nurse, the pharmacist, the genetic counselor, and some of the infusion room nurses. I then had an echocardiogram to get a baseline of my heart functions. I will have to have a PET scan within the next 3 days, then meet back with my oncologist on Friday and have my first chemo treatment that day too.
I am so beyond ready to start treatment and kill this cancer so it will never return. One more scan and then I can start. Praying it all goes smoothly.
