Dumped by my doc...should I be hurt?

Although I know having an HMO for treatment is tricky - hard to get those referrals sometime  

If I were in your shoes, and I'm not so maybe best to disregard my advice, I would find an oncologist on my own from recommendations, find a new primary based on recommendations and then push your new primary to allow you to meet with the new oncologist at least once a year until you're past the 5 year NED mark.  Is there a teaching hospital nearby with a compassionate and curious oncologist who would appreciate your unique situation and want to learn from it?  Let alone your fabulous sense of humor and attitude.  Best to you AA

annalexandria said:

Dang. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Let us know how the colonoscopy goes...I will be keeping my fingers crossed that all is well.

No cancer in the colon or rectum (he still has the tumor on the liver and 5 nodules on the lungs). He has an ulcer in the rectum that they think came from the past radiation. Doctor is doing more bloodwork tomorrow because his hemaglobin is down a little bit. She wants to make sure it's not going down anymore. We are touching base with her on Monday to see if he's back on for chemo on Thursday. I have a feeling they may wait for the ulcer to heal???

Thanks for asking.

Lin

My Oncologist was up front about how long I would be monitoured if my Cancer was in remission, and that was 8 years. 

I think it went something like, every three months for two years, then every six (can't remember how long for) then once a year until I hit the eight year mark. 

My Radiation Oncologist said the same, 8 years, but I go see him every six months for ?, and then every year. 

I'm still hoping that I can follow this schedule. I want to be NED! Still waiting for PET or MRI appointment. 

I think that if you feel you should still be under the care of an Ocologsit, you should look around at the ones that are covered by your HMO. They are out there, and chances are, there is one that is just perfect for you. That goes for your GP too. 

I have been MEGA blessed with my team of Doctors. I like every one of them. GP, GI, Surgeon, Onc and Rad Onc. It really is a blessing to feel comfortable and have faith in their care. I wish the same for you. 

PatchAdams said:

unsure how I'd feel.........

I haven't had chemo in 5 years but see my oncologist several times a year. His fee is HUGE but insurance covers all but my co pay. He orders the CEA, does a CBC and liver profile.  He orders whatever scan he has in mind that time period.  He did find me a good surgeon when I needed a liver surgeon.  He makes me wait a week or more for scan results. It can take 2 months to get my CEA results. I have NEVER been allowed to speak with him on the phone and don't have an email for him or his office.  

I don't have a true primary. My primary left the big practice and works at Doc in a Box about 3/4ths of a mile from my house.  I see him for the flu, sinus infections, and he write the RX for anxiety medication.    I don't know if he has hospital privileges or not or if they can order scans.  He's got a much better personality than my onc.  I really trust this guy and believe he really cares about me as a person. 

Onc says he won't say 'cured' til I hit 10 years from my met.  He quotes stats from early 2000. 

If you have no active disease and are not having chemo, why do we need to see the onc?  Any doctor can order a CEA and scan.   You could use your Gastro, if you like him/ her.  I HATE my new Gastro. My guy moved away and the new guy is someone I will never see again! I'll travel if I have to but never use this guy or his partner who killed my friend a few months ago (age 37) when he removed her gall bladder and nicked an artery.  

Do you think this could have something to do with the new insurance changes?  Maybe your onc can't ask for $500 a visit but needs the room on his schedule for someone he can charge more.  Come to think of it, other than poking my belly, my onc never touches me. 

I don't know. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

You have the right, as the patient to see you blood test results. 

I go down to the hospital, where I get my work done, and request the results (about four days for my they draw for a CEA because I live in a rural town, and the blood gets sent out) and I read them. I either wait for my Oncologist appointment, or I call him if my appointment is too far away (my next Onc app is April 28th))

You cannot be denied the right to see your blood test results (here in America at least). 

I too would ditch any Doctor that I did not have access to. I live in a small, rural desert town, and even here we don't get treated like that.