DOCTOR

What do you do when your oncologist don't call? First of all his receptionist dont even  care how you may be feeling. When I went in to get the rush on the PET scan she says to me and my mother in law, ' I DONT KNOW WHAT HARM CAN A COUPLE OF DAYS DO?" I felt like asking her do you have a timeline hanging over you? I felt like I was being judged. So finally a week later I got the appt fpr the Pet scan, then came time for the family consultaion, we were put in a small room were I was asked to get in a hopital robe, in wich I sat thru the whole meeting. And for what just so he can listen to my lungs. I felt so uncomfortable in his office, then came time to leave the dr says I will call and order the tarciva for you , i want to see you back in 4 weeks. I went to schedule the appt were the receptionist states that someone will call next week with your appt. Guess what? It is going on two weeks with no phone call. I cant help but wonder did he order the medication, did he order the test to see if my tissue sample will do well against the medication? Why do I feel so like a number and that he does not care. We have been calling now for the last 3 days to get a hold of someone in his office and there has not been anything, no answer, left message after message. Has anyone ever gone thru this can you offer any advice. I think I may have found the perfect oncologist for me, but he is in new york and offers more than the tarciva.    what should i do?

Melgrigg09

I can say my experience. I have called and emailed my NO's office and always get a reply. My NO spends at least 1hr every time I visit and talks about my scans and whats down the road. I go down to the pharmacy and they call the No's office directly and the next day I am walking out with "sorry a garbage bag" full of drugs. You are human and need to be treated like one. I am sorry you have been treated like this and you should find someone that givews you the respect and needed atttention. You know the righ thing to do and don't hesitate. Get someone else that it more compasionate and dedicated to you. God Bless!

Damon

It is important to be comfortable with your onc and totally believe in his/her decisions on treatment. My onc is awesome, but sometimes he is simply overwhelmed and rushes through the appointments. I know that he has more urgent matters with other patients since I am close to remission. But I still feel like my situation deserves attention. It is scary how many cancer patients are being treated. The numbers seems to be rising, no matter what the studies show. My onc office, which has 10-12 doctors is always busy with no treatment room open. I think that it has to be something in our environment that is causing some many cancers.

Anyway, that is my 2 cents worth. Keep searching until you find the right onc to fit your needs. Good luck and take care.

Best wishes,

Pam    

 

You already know the answers to your questions .... obviously you need to find a different oncologist or team i cannot imagine a doctor NOT calling back and not being :on top of things And what is wrong with a doctor in new york???? All my dotors are in new york and they cal ne and I call them and they are beyond overwhekned with patients, get new doctors and get going on your treatments i don't uderstand why you werent; given your prescriptions at your office visit so you could start medication the next day ,,,, cancer patiebts sould not WAIT FOR ANY REASONs Get going and good luck with the next doctor

 

On 6/3/2009 melgrigg09 wrote:

What do you do when your oncologist don't call? First of all his receptionist dont even  care how you may be feeling. When I went in to get the rush on the PET scan she says to me and my mother in law, ' I DONT KNOW WHAT HARM CAN A COUPLE OF DAYS DO?" I felt like asking her do you have a timeline hanging over you? I felt like I was being judged. So finally a week later I got the appt fpr the Pet scan, then came time for the family consultaion, we were put in a small room were I was asked to get in a hopital robe, in wich I sat thru the whole meeting. And for what just so he can listen to my lungs. I felt so uncomfortable in his office, then came time to leave the dr says I will call and order the tarciva for you , i want to see you back in 4 weeks. I went to schedule the appt were the receptionist states that someone will call next week with your appt. Guess what? It is going on two weeks with no phone call. I cant help but wonder did he order the medication, did he order the test to see if my tissue sample will do well against the medication? Why do I feel so like a number and that he does not care. We have been calling now for the last 3 days to get a hold of someone in his office and there has not been anything, no answer, left message after message. Has anyone ever gone thru this can you offer any advice. I think I may have found the perfect oncologist for me, but he is in new york and offers more than the tarciva.    what should i do?

Fire him, look for a new one.  Time is short on your watch while waste your time on him.  My mom 2nd oncologist (since we transfered to a new hospital) he reviewed the old file and did not want to help.  We did not see him within a week.  He came and assessed my mom at 3:15 AM while she was sleeping with a pneumonia case and he recommended Hospice without hearing our pleadings and pointed out the error on Biopsy translation.  We immediately looked for another one to replace him who is willing to run more test on her.  He now returns to see my mom at morning and acted still like he does a favor to us while he thinks inside the box too much without more research ( my mom CEA is going up after trying the Tarceva but it is due to the cancer cells death goeshru blood stream along with my mom other complications - GI tract, infection on Pulmonary, etc... ). 

Let make the story short.  Those type of doctors are not like to treat your beloved ones as they already like to give up.  Look for others who would show CARE.

Good luck!

Victoria

Hi,

Don't waste anymore precious time with this uncaring group of health care providers.  My husband's Dr from the beginning has been right on top of tests, appointments and meds.  They treat you very well and with urgency take care of your needs.  The receptionist does not know what type cancer you have and all delays can be harmful.  OSU hospital in Columbus, OH is AWESOME!!  DRS, NURSES, Everyone.

Go somewhere else.