The Changing of the Guards

Tues. Nov. 1: I have decided to change oncologists. I didn't mention in my previous updates that I was concerned about the oncologist that I was going to. I didn't want anyone to worry until we had it figured out. It really began the first chemo day. Robert and I went, talked to the Dr. and went to chemo. During the office visit Dr. Maity said that I would be taking Taxol as discussed. When I went to the nurse to start treatment she told me I would be getting avastin as well. I said wait a minute--this has not been mentioned to me by the oncologist. So she explains this drug to me and I go ahead with treatment. I had heard of this drug and that it was being studied. I really didn't like that I had not been told before hand and had the chance to disuss with the doctor. Chemo day #2 was on a Thurs. Kit went with me. I have a notebook I keep questions in to ask. Both Kit and I thought she was contradicting and confusing. Then right before I go in for chemo she wants to offer me a change in my treatment. Stop the Taxol and start the hard stuff (FAC). So I ask her why. Thinking that she is changing it to put me on Herceptin. I can't even understand her explaination but she says she will not put me on herceptin. (herceptin is given to HER2 positive breast cancers like mine) So I tell her no, there is no way I can make that kind of decision without Robert and without me doing research on this. So she says ok. So after I get the taxol, I am still confused and I ask her what my treatment will be after the FAC (I am thinking I will start the Taxol again) and she says "nothing". I ask her what is the chance of recurrence if I only do the FAC and it is very high. I said I will stick with what I am doing then and she says, "Good choice" !!!!!!! Who is the doctor here??? So now, I am just not feeling good about her at all. I get a call out of the blue from a lady that I used to play bunco with. I knew that she had breast cancer and had just finished treatment about a year ago. We are talking and she tells me, "hey, by the way, I love my oncologist and if you are ever unhappy you ought to go see her. Her name is Dr. Allison".....hmmmm. The third chemo is the next day after the phone call. I have already been looking at other places to go but I know I can't stop treatment. I think that Debra calling me is a sign. I haven't seen her in years, but I want another sign that I am supposed to go somewhere else. I am getting my chemo and the lady to the right of me has colon cancer and she is talking about Dr. Maity and how she doesn't like her and that she changes her treatments. The guy to the left of me has lung cancer and I listen in to him talk to his wife and he is not happy about somethings that Dr. Maity has done to him. Then I open the newspaper during my chemo treatment and there is a picture of Dr. Allison. I am out of here.
After the third chemo, I called Dr. Allison's office to see what I needed to do for a consultation. I have to send them my records and then she will look at them and decide if she will see me or not. I have Dr. Maity's office send them my records..and wait....and wait...finally on Monday Oct. 31 they call and say that she will see me tomorrow Nov. 1 at 3:00 YIPPEE!