Getting other opinions
Steve and his wife Cassandra at the ATP Tennis Tournament. Roger Fedderer is on the court.
There is a crude saying, “Opinions are like a#!holes. Everyone has one and it stinks.” Well, I don’t think that holds true for getting second or third or even fourth medical opinions.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to a nearby city to see one of the leading breast cancer oncologists in the country. It’s actually my third opinion. When I received my first recurrence, I went to MD Anderson in Houston.
This past weekend, I spoke to Steve Scott, one of the incredible survivors I’ve interviewed whom I now consider a friend. We were planning to get together for dinner with our spouses. In 2004, Steve was told he had colon cancer that spread all over his liver. He went to five different doctors, and every one of them said he had 18 months to live and that chemo and surgery weren’t even an option.
But Steve didn’t give up. He finally found a surgeon at Sloan -Kettering Cancer Center in New York City who was one of the leading experts on colon cancer that spread to the liver:
He told me, “We’re not going to kid you; you’re in bad shape. But we have a lot of experience with patients like you and we think there is something we can do.” They didn’t shut the door like everyone else did. They gave me a little grain of hope. I had doctors who trusted me.
So every month, we would fly up to New York to get scans and chemo. In three years, I received a total of 57 chemo treatments and five surgeries. Because I was young and strong, I was on very high-dose chemo. They gave me twice the amount they gave other people.
After his treatments, Steve was declared cancer-free and remains so to this day. What if Steve listened to his doctors and gave up? I probably wouldn’t be planning a get-together today.
What is your experience with and thoughts on medical opinions? I’d love to hear from you.
Greg B says:
Tami,
All the best on your followup visit. Having met you and your family I know you are strong and can beat this again.
I am very much in favor of second + opinions. I would not be here today without having researched treatments and sought additional opinions. This cancer trail/path we walk is not the same for everyone. All the best
Jane Browe says:
Tami – you are such an inspiration. This story is so compelling and so very important. Your path is one of battling cancer, but I have had a similar situation with my son on a chronic illness, rheumatoid arthrits. It’s just devastating. Thus far, he has not listened to my urging to seek out other opinions. I’ve sent him your post. … he had a “bad” report out from his doctor today. I’m hoping he’ll consider your thoughts and encouragement and see if there are other answers.
I hope your advice saves lives and enhances quality of life for hundreds – thousands of people – and more!! People wresting with cancer, and people working through other challenges.
Brenda Michaels says:
Tami – Your courage and persistence is amazing and something we all want to aspire too. I believe in second and sometimes even thrid opinions. The more information you have, the more empowered you feel. I also suggest that after taking in the information you need, you breathe into your body several times and ask God, your higher power, spirit, or whatever you call it to guide you to the best solution based on the information your’ve acquired. Please note that the answer may come in various ways, but from my experience, the solutions are in us and come to us when we get our mind out of the way and allow the wisdom of our body and heart to guide us. Blessings -
Help us reach 1,000: Book publishing, book agents, Colon cancer, blogging | Tami Boehmer | Miracle Survivors says:
[...] day I was talking to Steve Scott, one of the Miracle Survivors featured in my book and this blog (http://www.tamiboehmer.com/2009/10/getting-other-opinions-2/), who is a Stage IV colon cancer survivor and was treated at Sloan. Steve gave me some names and I [...]