Did anyone get a second opinion after hearing your doctor's plan?

SuckItCancer

I like my doctor, and don't pretend to know more than her, but, I just feel funny about the plan. It's probably fine but I hate to just nod my head and say OK.

Bengal

It is certainly your right to get a second opinion. Many do. If something about this doesn't sit right with you, for sure, seek more information. I did not get another opinion although many people urged me to do so. I was just so overwhelmed by the unexpected diagnosis and the whirlwind I was thrown into I felt going for a second opinion would just draw out the whole process further and just add to the stress and anxiety I was already dealing with. Like you, at that point I knew nothing and was just relying on my doctors being truthful with me. Good luck as you move foreward.

LiveWithCancer

I think that you are wise to seek a second opinion. Any oncologist worth his or her salt will be happy you did. If you learn that the plan of action is the same as your doctor suggests, then you can go into it with more confidence that it is the best plan. But, if another doctor has a different idea, you can listen to the plans and go with the one you feel is best for you. (If they have different opinions, it might be time to seek a THIRD opinion!!!)

The only time I "sort of" sought a different opinion was when I had a tumor in my neck start to show growth. My medical oncologist wanted me to wait around for a clinical trial to come up (and go with yucky chemo while waiting). I was compelled to get radiation on the tumor and then resume my treatments for the other tumors that couldn't be radiated or surgically removed, but that had been stable for quite some time.

I actually wrangled a referral from my medical oncologist's office to a radiation oncologist. The radiation oncologist gave me confidence he could blast away that tumor while telling me that if I wanted to go with my medical oncologist's solution - I could always later come for radiation. I decided the expedient thing for me was to get the tumor gone, as quickly and painlessly as possible ... and that's what I did. My medical oncologist didn't agree with my decision, but it was mine to make. And I have never, ever regretted that decision.

GinaRocha

check out belong.life - an app where they have oncology specialists where you can potentially ask for 2nd opinions

po18guy

Second opinions save lives. I have skin in this game. The local (first) pathologist and seasoned oncologist I consulted with saw abnormal cells in my biopsy sample, but no malignancy. DW called Fred Hutch/SCCA in Seattle and arranged a second opinion. Turned out that I had a rather serious case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - too many tumors to count. "Innumerable" was how the pathologist recorded it.

The local plan had been to watch and wait - which would have proved fatal. A four drug regimen had been proposed which was a distinctly old school plan for use against a different type than what I had. At SCCA, a dual regimen involving high doses of eight drugs was administered and this placed me in remission. Long story after that (11+ years and numerous other details) but suffice it to say that a second opinion is the sole reason I tread this earth rather than stare up at it.

Be insistent. It is your life at stake here. Doctor might hate to lose you as a patient, but I guarantee that you and your loved ones have much more to lose.

JaneA

Second opinions save lives because they ensure that you will be receiving the NCCN guidelines for the stage and type of your cancer. We, as patients, must trust our doctors because the treatment is scary and has some dangerous side effects. Both my surgeon and my oncologist told me to get a second opinion at any time in my treatment. They took my case to the tumor committee - which acts as a second and third opinion too.

Download the NCCN treatment guidelines for Melanoma here:
https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/cancers.aspx

It's a bit overwhelming, but we need to learn about our disease and the treatment options.

GregP_WN

In all of my diagnoses, I was lucky to have a doctor that didn't give me any bad vibes or questions, so I never considered it. But, I have had a few oncologists that were doing nothing but following me for my annual check-ups, if one of them had been my guy I would have asked for one for sure. I fired two from just doing annual check-ups, I sure wouldn't have trusted them for actual treatments.

Shellysells

Husband diagnosed while in Chicago...Stage IV melanoma...Brain, Lungs, Gut +. Pretty quick surgery on brain to remove tumor....a total breeze...out in 2 days. Steroids for a week and then sent back home to Michigan...where they got us set up with local oncologist. Sent all scans and reports so they could be prepared for 1st visit. Came in the room....had read the diagnosis but not reviewed any scans etc....said "let me talk about the elephant in the room. Go home and make your final arrangements". Shocked.....we left... I called NWMemorial in Chicago to verify this is what we should have expected. NOPE. Do Not Give Up. They got my husband approved for Immune Therapy....risks were....1. It could kill him (same as melanoma). 2. He might not be able to tolerate it (& death would also follow) or 3. It could extend his life. April 7, 2020 will mark 7 years since the initial diagnosis and all is wonderful. Follow your instinct and at the very least....call someone else.

PaulineJ

I only tried once a long time ago on needing an hysterectomy and was refused.

BuckeyeShelby

My cancer was discovered during a hernia surgery at my hospital of choice. Which is NOT the big cancer center in my city. They made me an appointment with one of the gynecologic oncology surgeons associated w/the hospital. I sat in his waiting room, freaking out, until I reminded myself I could get a second opinion. Finally walked into the dr's office. He reached across his desk to shake my hand and said, "It's nice to meet you; I'm sorry your here." The desk side manner of this little old guy chased all thoughts of a second opinion away. This was going to be MY doctor. Wasn't until after surgery that I found out he was the head of oncology at my hospital.

BoiseB

March 19,2010 I was told by the oncologist that my tumor was inoperable and I had 4-9 months to live. My nephew (a PCP) insisted I see another Dr. who was doing an experimental surgery. I am alive 10 years later.
I also have a friend who was uneasy about her regimen. So she sought a second opinion. The Dr. giving the second opinion consulted with her first oncologist and together they worked out a plan of treatment
Sometimes the Dr. themselves ask for a second opinion. My neurologist asked for a second opinion.

Bug

Get a second opinion if your gut tells you something is off. I did not get a second opinion about the diagnosis but I did speak to a second surgeon. The first one was horrible. She instilled absolutely no confidence in me at all. The second surgeon was wonderful. I liked her within five minutes of meeting her.

2943

I was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer. 5 min into first appt. had me having a double masectomy. I went for a second opinion that saved my life. It was discovered I also had stage 2 kidney cancer and 14 months later, stage 1 lung. All primary not related to each other. Go for the opinion if for peace of mind if nothing else.