totally agreed: oncologists shouldn't speculate without concrete evidence. it seems like in addition to surviving the cancer itself and the side effects of the treatments, it's crucial to also learn how to emotionally survive doctor visists and practically advocate for survivors. perhaps the OCF collectivity, with its wealth of experience and knowledge, could develop a how-to-deal-with-your-oncologist manual and put it out there for others. i've read a lot of stuff on NCI and ACS and various other sites, but rarely are these aspects touched upon.

my sister's oncologist told her on tuesday, upon a cursory examination, that it didn't look like chemotherapy (1 session only) was working and they might not continue with chemo. a longer examination, some tests and a few days later, today she was told that the tumour has responded to chemo and its size has shrunk by 16%, and now she's scheduled for another chemo session! between tuesday and today, we've been through emotional hell and heightened anxiety. i find it totally unethical and unprofessional for oncologists to take so lightly the impact of what they say on patients and their families. carol, like you said to me earlier, i'm learning to adopt the attitude of "let's see what the tests show" and "let's just wait and see" and "the fight ain't over till it's over (and maybe even then it's not over?)"

be well.

gita
(head spinning from the roller coaster ride)