i was diagnoised with non small cell lung cancer stage 3b over a 12 day stay in the hospital this July. i was assigned a wonderful oncologist and i'm going to be starting my 4th round of chemo treatment.
As so many of us think, one opinion is one man's thoughts. i am going back to cleveland, ohio to visit my family. since they say i only have 13 months left, i thought it would be a good idea, for me to take advantage of the time there to get a second and third opinion. while i am there i made appointments with the cancer centers for university hospital and the cleveland clinic. i personally got all of my medical records and after hours and hours of reading, i know exactly what is wrong with me. my hopes in going to another doctor is that they will either concure with my present treatment plan that i am on, or they may have something else in mind that can help me live a longer life. sorry, 13th months does not make me jump for joy since i am only 57. this horrible desease is robbing me of 30 years.
7 years ago i had an acoustic neuroma removed from my 8th cranial nerve. after 2 years of going to sooooo many doctors and all they said was "it's all in my head, that i over exagerater my pains. needless to say, i fired all doctors concerned and seek out another dr. she sat and listened to everything that was happening to me and ordered an MRI immediately. after one visit with my new doctor, low and behold, they found a tumor that i was telling my old doctors that i had inside my head. if i did not listen to my gut and heart, i probably would not be here today.
it's the pits getting cancer. it has become a full time job taking care of my health problems, but what i have learned from my past experiences has made me a better patient. i am in control of my life and whatever it takes to protect my health, i leave it up to me first and formost.
i think it is important to get copies of all of your medical records for your own protection. i learned so much and was able to make educated desisions based on what the doctors think and what i think.
you are the only one who is in charge of your life, so if you feel the need for another opinion, go for it.
i would love to hear success stories.
donna
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Non small cell lung cancer 3B.
- By dmcarretta
- Posted October 17, 2009 at 1:02 pm · 7 replies
- Shared with the public
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