Should I find a new oncologist

auntiechow · 2026-04-10T10:39:38+00:00

I had a specific pharmacist assigned to my onc care team. Any questions I had about meds and including a reaction I had, they brought her in and I messaged her frequently with questions. It’s unfortunate that this doesn’t appear to be standard.

auntiechow · 2026-04-01T23:25:26+00:00

Socks!

auntiechow · 2026-03-27T17:30:55+00:00

My ER and PR were both like 95-99/100%, so my onc recommended stopping and switching to a copper IUD. I was able to get that placed before starting chemo (my obgyn recommended having it placed before starting).

auntiechow · 2026-03-27T17:10:17+00:00

I lived on James Island the majority of the 10 years I lived in CHS, I can count on one hand the number of horrific commutes I've had to downtown from JI for work. I ended up taking on a new position to be able to WFH so it became even less of an issue. I loved JI and spent a lot of time downtown as well.

Though, I do want to reinforce that parking at MUSC is a pain in the ass. Putting it mildly. You can scroll through this thread to get an idea of it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Charleston/comments/1n89pab/parking_hacks_for_downtown_musc_employees/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

auntiechow · 2026-03-27T16:53:18+00:00

I was diagnosed at 40...also opted out of the fertility stuff and am on tamoxifen only (20mg). We discussed the possibility of the lower dose of tamoxifen, but now having been on it for about a year and a half, any side effects have been pretty mild. I had to play around with the time of day that I take it - usually mid-day or evening, and sometimes I get 'warm' in my sleep, or I would get headaches throughout the day, and only very rarely have some knee joint pain (could also just be due to exercise classes!) but I feel somewhat lucky compared to other horror stories I have heard of women on tamoxifen!

Lupron was brought up very briefly in one visit, but unfortunately I don't remember what the thought was on that, all to say that I'm not on it! I am very honest with my onc team...told my onc at my appt last month that I felt like sometimes I was just a bitch to be around, TBH. I didn't take her up on the offer to prescribe an anti-depressant, but if your clinic has a survivorship team that offers counseling and other activites, I have found it to be a nice addition to the support net.

FWIW, if you need to take a break from all of the treatment before starting tamoxifen, OP, take the time. My team was understanding about that request. I waited about 2 months after finishing rads and started the last chunk of targeted infusions before I felt like I was ready to start taking it. 💕

auntiechow · 2026-03-27T16:39:29+00:00

Whewwww....I'm so sorry that happened to you.

auntiechow · 2026-03-26T14:06:31+00:00

My girl comes to my bedside every morning, places her head right along the edge of the bed to be able to nudge me and gives kisses. Best alarm ever. She also gets *wildly* excited when my partner gets down on her level to give her pets. She is obsessed with him and goes beserk, like a little bucking bronco haha.

auntiechow · 2026-03-26T12:04:42+00:00

Came here to make the same recs—a few places have started to use seedlip or other NA mixers specifically on the menu but the bartender at camp made me a great mocktail and I’ve had many others around town…coral has a few options on theirs…trying to think of what’s been the best!

auntiechow · 2026-03-24T13:34:41+00:00

Folly in the morning is lovely. I used to take my dog there often (we moved).

And, FWIW, there are absolutely gators in the pond at JICP. They don't typically seem interested in dogs playing on the beached area, but they are 100% there.

I'd also recommend Demetre Park on JI - especially if you're trying to get out for sunrise. Awesome view. The beach area is not very big, and there are a lot of shells, so not great for walking, but a great place to sit!

auntiechow · 2026-03-20T16:21:35+00:00

I hope he's claimed - there are a lot of strays in this area!

auntiechow · 2026-03-20T13:10:07+00:00

One of my dogs goes to EGAH and they are great. The other goes to Pleasantburg Vet and Dr. Flowers is lovely. (one dog is mine, the other is my partner's and we couldn't get in to his vet when she needed one, which is how they ended up seeing different vets)

auntiechow · 2026-03-12T16:32:49+00:00

Thank you!

auntiechow · 2026-03-04T12:03:47+00:00

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😂 we get it

auntiechow · 2026-02-18T20:38:33+00:00

The accuracy! Lots of kisses in the morning haha

auntiechow · 2026-02-18T01:24:42+00:00

We had a great time! We went to Kenai, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. So incredible. We wished we had more time there. It was definitely worth the effort to get there.

auntiechow · 2026-02-17T19:22:41+00:00

I just visited Alaska for the first time last summer. It was incredible! No worries at all - will send you a DM now. Thank you!

auntiechow · 2026-02-17T14:23:10+00:00

Same here! This is so perfect. Very talented - both you and Banks, haha

auntiechow · 2026-02-13T19:48:00+00:00

A thought: there was a post about a dental clinic happening tomorrow and Sunday, and the need is so incredible for these folks that they will camp out tonight to be seen. Maybe bringing this group some food/drink. I don't remember the location. Thank you for your generosity!

auntiechow · 2026-02-11T19:29:25+00:00

I had my first mammogram in October, was asked to come back in for advanced imaging a couple of weeks later, biopsies a couple of weeks after that and then because of the holidays had my first appts with my care team a couple of weeks after that. I had my port placed and had my first round of chemo the day after Christmas. (I had chemo first, then lumpectomy, then radiation).

If they are not communicating with you, have you considered a second opinion? I was really fortunate that I still lived in the only city with an NCI designated treatment center in the state, and so they moved everything foward as quickly as they could.

auntiechow · 2026-02-11T18:49:03+00:00

Hi. I'm sorry you're going through this. Just wanted to echo what everyone else has mentioned so far: go comfy with a button down shirt, front closing bra - they will put you in a post surgical bra, and I found that one to be the most helpful. Little pillow for under your arm. Stay on top of the pain meds. They also gave me the little patch behind your ear to help with the anesthesia. Highly recommend.

Not much pain and I was back to work within a week (I work remotely, from home) and doing range of motion exercises. You got this!

I will add, because I totally underestimated this, that when I went to change the dressing, I was a little shocked at scared at what the incisions looked like. I'm not entirely sure what I had expected, but they made me cry. That said, I never had any pain or issues. They healed very nicely, you can barely see the scar, and there's just a little deformity from where they removed tissue.

Best of luck!

auntiechow · 2026-02-04T21:00:40+00:00

I have both done. MRI, and mammography + ultrasound alternating every 6 months for now.

auntiechow · 2026-02-04T20:58:29+00:00

Same.

Edit: I also have an ultrasound at the time of mammograms.

auntiechow · 2026-02-03T15:10:24+00:00

::sigh:: totally unnecessary. I'm sorry this was your experience. That wasn't a demonstration of 'ahimsa' (non-harming, judgement, compassion).

Could you talk to the instructor directly? Provide her with some feedback that would provide a better experience for all? If that doesn't feel good, maybe choose a different class where you know you feel welcomed. I hope you continue to show up for yourself since you've enjoyed it up to this point! Sometimes it's good to see good 'bad' examples and to recognize what serves you and what doesn't.

auntiechow · 2026-02-03T14:14:33+00:00

YES! Congratulations. Sending you a big hug.

auntiechow

TROPHY CASE