McLeay W R B Dr in North Adelaide, Adelaide

Well, I've just got back from my 6th month check up. It's been six months since I finished radiotherapy and started Arimidex and four months since I stopped taking it. I was supposed to have a mammogram and then see my surgeon and I decided that I wasn't going to have it because I have a bit of fluid on my breast and it is very tender. My surgeon (Dr McLeay) asked me how I was going and I told him that I'd stopped the Arimidex because of the devastating side effects (which he wanted explained in detail) and he said he thinks I should take Tamoxifen instead. I said I didn't want to take anything and that I was just keeping as healthy as possible. He didn't like that and proceeded to pull up statistics on his computer. It showed that there was a %3 difference and I said I'd rather take that and have quality of life, which again he didn't like. His body language was gradually changing as we were talking, I could see he was getting annoyed, and when I said I wasn't going to have the mammogram, and explained why, he said lets have a look at you and we'll see. While I was getting undressed he went to get me a gown, then came back, and while examining me he said that he'd tell the girls to be careful as yes there was quite a bit of swelling. I said to him again that I'd rather not have a mammogram, and he then stopped examining me and told me to get dressed and went back to his desk. I said to him can you do an MRI instead please, and he crossed his arms over his chest and said no I don't do that. I said what, you don't do MRI's? And he said no, I don't have women dictate to me what tests I do, I'm the doctor and if you're not going to have the treatment that I offer then I'm not going to be told what to do! He all but stamped his feet like a schoolboy having a tantrum, I couldn't believe it, but I stuck to my guns and didn't back down despite his intimidating tactics. Then he said and it's not as good as a mammogram and what if we find an abnormality? Then we'd have to do one and anyway. He then said come back in 6 months for another check up and before you go here's a card of a woman who does laser treatment, it might help the swelling!
So, I left there thinking well, that's it then. Hopefully there aren't any abnormalities in there because it's sure as hell isn't going to get checked now! ...I cried all the way home... it's bloody hard having to be strong all the time.