A Second Opinion

In the 3 weeks following my diagnosis, I met with so many doctors, I could not keep them straight. The process by which doctors were assigned to me was a bit frustrating as rather than picking my team of doctors based on their merits and recommendations, I felt like I had very little choice. This was both a good and a bad thing:

The Good
This process was quick - I was able to meet with a medical oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist all within 2 weeks of being diagnosed.

The Bad
What if I wanted a second opinion? What if I am not comfortable with one of the doctors?

I felt like I was being pulled in different directions as it was a balancing act...I didn't want to delay treatment but at the same time, wanted a second opinion regarding the surgery. I also didn't like how I was made to feel like a second opinion wasn't allowed. Questions from doctors about why I would want to consult with another surgeon and being given the run around when trying to figure out how to get a referral were things that I was not expecting to deal with. The advice that I would offer to anyone in a similar situation is to go with your gut. If you are not comfortable with one of your doctors, you have every right to explore other options. The healthcare system in Canada is different than the US but just because I am not paying out of pocket, doesn't mean that I should feel like I am being cornered into making a decision that will affect the rest of my life. In the end, I did end up getting a second opinion and am glad I did.