Which One of You is my Doctor?
Dr. Burnette and Dr. Ryan join us today to discuss one of the most common questions we receive from our patients at Green Bay Oncology: “Which one of you is my doctor?” We discuss the difference between visiting your primary care doctor and your oncologist and why it may be impossible to see the same […]
Less Chemo for Breast Cancer?
Nobody likes chemotherapy: not patients, and not oncologists. We’d all rather avoid it if we can – and now we’ve identified another group of women who can safely do without it. Some early-stage breast cancers can spread throughout the body before the tumor is removed surgically– even before the cancer is diagnosed. Those small, spreading […]
Caregivers: Put on Your Own Mask First
You know those safety demonstrations at the beginning of a flight, where they go through the plane’s safety features? Remember what they always say about the oxygen masks? “If you’re with someone that needs assistance, always put on your own mask first.” You’re thinking that’s selfish maybe, but it’s critical advice – and not just […]
Cancer Pain
Whenever I meet a new cancer patient, especially one with incurable cancer, pain always comes up in the conversation – whether they have it or not. It’s the most commonly reported symptom of cancer, and it’s also one of the most widely feared. Most patients with advanced stage cancer do, in fact, experience pain; 75-90% […]
My Hero
Oprah’s guest pointed to the place above her collarbone where the tumors first appeared. It’d been a hard fight, with one particularly close call, but she’d made it and now she was a survivor – even a hero. Cue tears from the audience. Normally I’d have been moved, crying along with the show and applauding […]
Dear Cancer Patient – Mid-Treatment
Dear Cancer Patient, Treatment’s been underway for a while now. As things have gotten a little more routine, you might have noticed your worries have shifted. See at first, most people are scared of the treatment itself, worrying about nausea and infection and every possible side effect under the sun. But when those things don’t […]
Dear Cancer Patient – Starting Chemotherapy
Dear Cancer Patient, You’ll be starting chemotherapy soon, and you’re nervous – and after everything you’ve been hearing about it that’s understandable. I’m not going to tell you that we don’t need to be careful with these drugs, or that there are no side effects, because that’d be a lie. But I’d like to wind […]
The Dance
The last time I saw her, we both knew what was about to happen. We\’d talked for years about the arrival of this day, not knowing exactly when it would come or what it would look like. Over four years we were gentle but nervous partners in a peculiar dance.
To Port or Not To Port – Advantages & Disadvantages
Most of our patients who receive chemotherapy, and some patients who receive other therapies for blood disorders, have had a port catheter (or port for short) placed by recommendation of their medical provider for very good reason. A port catheter is a device placed “centrally” into a large, main vein and is generally located in […]
Breast Radiation Causes Heart Disease – For Very, Very Few
Breast radiation remains necessary for women with early stage breast cancer if they wish to avoid mastectomy. Like all cancer treatments, there are potential side-effects–most of which are minor. A small minority of patients receiving such treatment may be at higher risk for heart disease. Overall, the risk of heart disease for most patients is […]
