Dr Andrew Eichholz 2021-12-17 Person 5 5 0

Having worked hard to keep healthy and fit most of my adult life, it came as a massive shock to be diagnosed with breast cancer in March this year (2021). It was devastating news for me and my family, my life now was put in trust with the health professionals. Initially my cancer was thought to be a grade 2 and to be managed by surgery and medication. Having had my surgery, pathology results suggested otherwise and my cancer was upgraded to a 3 which meant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were now the recommended treatments. This is when I was referred to Dr Eichholz for my ongoing care. Neither us knew what was about to unfold with my chemotherapy. I was a perfectly fit and healthy adult, aside from my cancer, so what could possibly go wrong? My initial meeting with him left me with the impression is was very thorough and I was in safe hands. He was very open and honest about my prognosis and I was given a lot of leaflets and statistics to read up on. He explained what type of chemotherapy I was about to have and offered me trials to enter. At the time it was all quite overwhelming, having to retain so much information, plus having to process my diagnosis and new treatment plan. He was very patient with me as understandably I had so many questions, however he gave me all the time I needed and reassured me that he would do everything he could to effectively save my life. I’m sure this would have impacted on his appointment times however I never felt he rushed me or was pressured to leave knowing other patients were waiting. Knowing my life now was in the hands of Dr Eichholz neither us expected what was about to unfold with my treatment. To a avoid going into too much detail, I will briefly summarise what happened. I had multiple life threatening reactions from my chemotherapy resulting in multiple admissions and delays for further treatment due to time given for me to recover. I only had 4 cycles and it soon became apparent that I’d stand more chance of dying from chemotherapy than my breast cancer. I’m not sure Mr Eichholz himself could believe how many severe reactions I was having to each cycle despite his efforts to reduce my dose and increase medication to avoid them. I needed an open honest oncologist that would give me guidance and a clear thorough explanation for the reasoning in recommending I stop chemotherapy and move onto the next phase in terms of radiotherapy and medication. Mr Eichholz succeeded in doing this despite my resistance to stop. In my head chemotherapy was what I needed to stop my cancer from coming back, it was what was explained to me at my initial consultation, and I was determined to see it through. Following on from that extremely long and difficult conversation with Mr Eichholz I did decide reluctantly to stop chemotherapy, he’s a Doctor who likes statistics and quiet clearly my statistic of surviving cancer over chemotherapy was greater in his mind and the benefit to move onto next phase was far more effective than continuing with chemotherapy. When I got home and processed my decision to stop chemotherapy I still was not comfortable with it despite all the life threatening situations I had experienced and all the effort and reasoning Mr Eichholz mentioned earlier in the day. It was as if by magic that evening, I suspect way past Mr Eichholz surgery he rang me as I was about to send an email to him rescinding my decision to stop. Mr Eichholz went through his reasoning and explanations again for a second time. It was than perfectly clear In my mind I had to stop or risk death. Although some days even now I still find it difficult to accept the fact not to continue but ultimately it was 100% the right decision. That decision I made was based on Dr Eichholz clear, concise, honest and open opinion and it’s because of him I was able to watch my daughter get married in August and enjoy her day feeling so much better. I completed my radiotherapy surprising free from any reactions in October. I continue now to get stronger and fitter every day, I’m back at work, I’m back at the gym, I’m actually smiling and belly laughing again with my friends. All these things at the beginning of my journey I’d thought I’d never experience again. I’m actually living a normal life, and this is undoubtedly because of Mr Eichholz. There are not enough words to thank him for giving me back my life, as if left for my decision to continue with chemotherapy I wouldn’t be here today to write this review. Yes my cancer may come back, nobody knows the future, but in the meantime I’m going to continue to embrace my life for a long as I can. I’ve been given a second chance thanks to an exceptional, outstanding work of a great Oncologist. Thankyou Dr Eichholz for saving my life Merry Christmas to you and your family.