Got a return phone call from my oncologist’s physician’s assistant. After much discussion she agreed that I probably should have had a triple dose of herceptin yesterday (this took about 45 minutes to achieve). So, she told me, we can’t undo that. To which I said but, we can have me come back in for a double dose today, right? . . . one . . . plus two . . . e q u a l s . . . three (that’s me talking really slowly). There may not be time to get it done today, so I told her I would be willing to do it on Monday.
So, now I am waiting for her to see if my oncologist will let me have another treatment of Herceptin – a double dose – so that I can have no period without Herceptin in my system. I told her that if he doesn’t allow me to do it that I was canceling my surgery for next week so that I can stay on the Herceptin. I certainly do not want to cancel my surgery and I am guessing he is not going to want to let me come in for a second dose of Herceptin. This is so ridiculous.
And, as if it were to prepare me for his answer being no, she said just so you know, people miss their Herceptin treatments, I mean things come up, they go on vacations, things happen and they have to cancel their treatment and it is not a life and death situation if they miss a treatment”. I told her that I would never miss a treatment and she agreed – said she knew that I would not, that she knows me. So why are we even having this discussion. I feel bad for her – having to deal with me. Not because I am out of line – but instead, because the doctor she works for has created the situation that now causes me to be on her back. It isn’t pleasant. And, this is not the way I should have to spend my time right now, battling it out to simply have the treatment that I am supposed to have.
I am thinking that I am just going to go show up and see if I can get the double dose today, I would need to start it by three pm to have it done by the time they close. I don’t know what to do. I could do it on Monday, maybe just go in the morning.
cancerfree2b 
Keep fighting for what you know is right, Lisa. If you need or want a ride let me know. It doesn’t matter how early in the morning. If you want someone to go in with you to face the doctor, I can do that too. Hang in there, and don’t let yourself get stressed out (I know, easier said than done). Just take a deep breath and relax.
A man entered a contest to determine the best pun He submitted 10 different entries, but he didn’t win.
No pun in ten did.
Thank you Marv. I appreciate it. I am not going to continue to try to change my oncologist’s mind. Instead, I will either go to UCLA and pay to get the treatment and then collect from my insurance later (if I can – on the basis that my oncologist prevented me from getting the care that I should have had) or, get into see a different oncologist within my same plan, or get a case manager to review my situation and over ride my current oncologist’s decision. I will try for all three. There just isn’t time to mess around with this and I am not going to end up without the care that I am supposed to have.
I am supposed to hear back from the specialist up at UCLA by Monday. The hope is that they can get me into the schedule to receive Herceptin – assuming that is what the specialist up there thinks I should do (not miss a dose of Herceptin).
I have recently learned that Herceptin stays in your body for quite some time. But, still I believe it is best to continue the dosage consistently. But, I will go with whatever the specialist at UCLA says is best. I have complete confidence in her, she is great.
Well, wish me luck! 🙂