Hi Cryptchick,

I am very sorry to hear about your appointment with the oncologist. I had a similar experience with my oncologist 14 years ago. I informed my oncologist that I never wanted to see her again and I never did. I eventually changed hospital and found a much better care team altogether. This made such a difference, as you really have to trust in your care team. Is there another oncologist at your hospital, if so it should be easy enough to transfer. I sincerely hope that you manage to find someone else. I would speak to your consultant or breast care nurse first, but if you have any bother you can always contact PALS for help.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello, and thanks for your post,

I am really sorry to here about your situation. Most trusts do have two breast oncologists but a lot will depend on how big the hospital is and any staff shortages. 

I would check back in with your breast care nurse (BCN) and see what they have arranged and if this is not forthcoming you could always talk to PALS to see if they can look into this for you. 

If you are having your chemotherapy at a different hospital is it possible for you to see a different oncologist at this hospital. 

I can understand that this is not something you want to think about just before you start chemotherapy but hopefully the BCN may be able to help you here.

I am not sure from your post where you are living in the UK but if you are near a Maggie Centre you may find it helpful to access some of their services online and in person.

It is so important that you get some support for yourself. Breast Cancer Now have a service called Someone Like Me where they can try and put you in touch with others in a similar situation. 

You have posted in 'ask the nurses' but if you post on another thread you may find you get responses from other women in a similar situation.

I do hope that you feel supported over the next few weeks.

You are welcome to ring and chat through any of this with one of the nurses on the helpline.

Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040. We are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

Take care,

Catherine

Thank you Catherine.

My BCN got in touch yesterday and said she had put a formal request for another oncologist for me and that they might request to see me.

So fingers crossed this is happening.

I will definitely get intouch with my local maggies centre, thank you for the links 

Thank you Jolamine, my BCN got back in touch yesterday and said she'd put a formal request in for another oncologist and to be aware they might request another consultation before chemo can start as they haven't met me. I'm hoping this means I'm getting some one else!

So sorry that you've been through similar, it's really shocking that people like that deal with people in our situation.

I contacted my BCN a few days after my appointment and she called a cpl of days later and I told her then. That was probably over 10 days ago. I emailed to ask if she was any further on with it and got the reply yesterday. 

Xx

Hi Cryptchick,

I am glad to hear that your breast care nurse has got back to you and confirmed that you'll be seeing another oncologist. I sincerely hope that this will turn out to be a better experience than your last one, but agree that this should never happen, in a situation such as this.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine, I really appreciate that xx