Community Member
a month agoOk I know I'm gonna get jazzed for this but I need people to understand and support me, I have no one to talk to but my son , my neck got slightly injured during surgery due to the bending my neck back to get the tube down my throught to breath during surgery, well i have severe arthritis in my cervical spine and degenerative disc disease needless to say its killing me and giveing me pain in my head i cry myself to sleep every night, I kept telling my surgeon about the pain they told me to tell my primary Dr so I did , he gets mad at the oncologists for as he said putting everything on the pcp, so he tells me it's their job. This went on for a month I felt like a ticking yoyo. Stressed out no proper wound care attitudes all over I lost it in my surgeons office I started crying because he said I need to quit smoking I told him I'm trying but it so hard I need help. But no suggestion to help me. Instead he said he was no longer my wound care place anymore the Mrs Ross will be but I can't see her till may 8th, I had a double bilateral mastectomy and 2 layers of lymph nodes removed which also had cancer in one lyphnode.i had estrogen and progesterone positive and hers -1. I'm on a anti hormone pill everyday for the next 5-10 years, my wounds on my chest isn't healing very good because im a smoker 1/2 Pkwy a day from the stress, I can't sleep or eat good, I'm always nauseous and on edge I had to be put on Valium to calm me down, no one wants to help with the pain I'm in and I guess I'm one of those lucky ones who feels everything on my chest and I'm still in pain even though my surgery date was December 3 2025. I still have craters in my chest and it's hard to manage my own wound care, there still pretty deep. My surgeons told me they can't do anything else for me so now I see my oncologist for wound care. I lost my shirt in his office crying again. Doesn't anyone care about me, I blew up and said oh you got what you wanted money for walking off my boobs, screw the healing and wound care. Is it asking too much for you to have a little companion. Where is the care a patient deserves, I just sraired at the floor crying my eyes out. I don't know what to do anymore.my chest looks like a freak show. All I want to do is hide from everyone.Ahhhhhhhĥ. sorry for the long rant 😥 I had to get that off my chest. Any suggestion would be helpful, just please don't say anything about me smoking cigarettes, I know i need to quit. I just need a friend right now who understand. I finally get an mri with contrast on my head and neck but not until may 8th. And still no help for the pain I'm in , makes a person think weird stuff.
Community Member
a month agoI'm sorry, for what you're going through
Community Member
a month agoWow I sure hate that for you . Yes we care . Your rant was long over due My suggestion would be to go to an ER and tell them your chest is killing you . Start there . Don’t go into detail other than the questions they ask you . Just stay silent Except for mentioning the pain . And when they ask …. Mention the date and when you first felt something was wrong Dont go into detail about blaming just answer what they ask Hopefully you will get admitted Don’t mention cigarettes until you have a good nurse assigned to you and tell her you need a nicotine patch ( they help just like a cig ) If you cant get a patch, ask for your Valium and extra because you can’t smoke . Pray you get admitted and that will help hold your oncologist accountable. When your insurance calls you , answer the phone for the survey . Survey these doctors and staff every time , This is a way to use your voice . Hope this helps .
Community Member
a month agoI quit smoking in 1999 after about the 50th time I tried. If I even thought about quitting I would get so anxious I would chain smoke for hours. I totally understand your struggle, it is very hard. I am so sorry for what you are going through with your care team...it's not right. One thing that helped me quit was taking Welbutrin. It's an anti-depressant but I heard someone saying they used it to quit smoking. My doctor prescribed it for me (I really needed to be on it anyway for depression). Anyway, I still had to want to quit and make habit changes. For example I normally entered work through a door that was right next to a bench where I took all my cigarette breaks. I started using a different door. I found different ways to do things that had a strong association to smoking. The Welbutrin took the edge off though, got rid of the panic and anxiety I felt every time I tried to quit. You might want to visit your PCP and see if it's an option for you. Im glad you posted here..we are sympathetic, we care, and we are rooting for you ❤️
Community Member
a month agoIt might be worthwhile to see an orthopedic specialist or pain management specialist for your neck pain. Ask your pcp for a referral.
Community Member
a month agoYou should go and see a neurosurgeon for you cervical and spine issue
Community Member
a month agoI second going to the ER. That's how I got diagnosed... after months and 3 pelvic exams, no one could help me. Finally, I was in so much pain that I went to the ER, and they did a CT with contrast. If it weren't for that, I have no idea how much longer I would have suffered.
Community Member
a month agoI am so sorry for what you are going through! Can't imagine how frustrated you must be. I would certainly consider changing my primary care physician if he had the attitude your does. Addressing pain is difficult, but the primary care doc should address it. I had chronic pain after a surgery and went to a pain specialist. Your oncologist should be able to recommend. I week pray for you.
Community Member
a month agoPraying for you and for better pain management from your oncologist.
Community Member
a month agoSee a Functional Doctor. They help heal from the cell level and a good chiropractor.
Community Member
a month agoMy heart feels for you. Everything that I die in my care was being exceptionally persistent from my own advocacy. Find another doctor, find another oncologist, definitely when the chiropractor for your neck issues. Rant all you wish to. We understand… As we're all going through too. I find it incredible hurtful, and frustrating. There are so many care practitioners that do not seem to comprehend that the pain is real, and it makes it very difficult to live one's life. Sending you a prayer (if that is OK I don't want to place my relief faith on anyone), along with healing thoughts, virtual hugs and love.
Community Member
a month agoI hear you and I won’t judge you for smoking. It’s hard enough to quit when you’re not in constant pain. It’s awful that you aren’t getting the support you need from any of your doctors. I had a double mastectomy 3 weeks ago and I’m still in much more pain than I anticipated. I’m pretty old (75) and I’ve learned the hard way that some doctors just don’t cut it. Find new ones. I know that’s hard and still a roll of the dice, but it sounds necessary. A chiropractor may be a good idea. I hope you find the help you need soon. Pain is horrible. Let us know how you’re doing.
Community Member
a month agoSorry for what youre going through sending prayers
Community Member
a month ago🙏🏽
Community Member
25 days agoMy heart breaks for you. I pray you find comfort from the pain
Community Member
22 days agoThis is the place to rant…complain if you must until you get the right attention. I’m sorry you’re going through this…understanding your anxieties..but God hears you…God sees you…educate and advocate for your needs . Be brave…you’re a Soulja! ❤️🙏
Community Member
18 days agoLike some others have suggested, shop around for different medical services and support. Keep looking until you feel like you are going to receive the treatment that will help you and your entire situation. Hang in there. Take one day at a time.
Community Member
18 days agothat is what we're here for… To listen you listened to… Sending you hug and healing thoughts in the middle of all of this student have to go through two major surgery kind of scare me but gotta keep going you take care of yourself please
Community Member
16 days agoWe moved all smoking outside. I quit going outside because of my depression and somehow quit smoking. But please take it 1 hurdle at a time.
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