Has Anyone Ever Switched Oncs in the Middle of Chemo????
My husband is ready to kill my onc. After my last Chemo before I got so sick, I called on Friday and requested a refill on the Lomotil that I am taking for Big "D". I assumed it was called in and Saturday my husband went to the drugstore to pick it up. No meds. I called the service since it was now Saturday and left a message and no one ever called me back. I ran out of meds on Saturday. I called again on Sunday. They called me back this time but would only give me enough meds to get me through till Monday. By Sunday night I was so sick my husband had to call 911 and I went to the Emergency Room. My husband called the service while I was in the Emergency Room and someone called him back and told him that he would call the doctor in the Emergency Room and tell them what needed to be done. No call was made. Sunday I had Big "D" 9 times and threw up 7 times. Since I had it going both ways at the same time, I messed myself while threwing up and they left me in it for about an hour. I was beside myself. (That is another issue that we are now pursuing with the Hospital.) I was admitted to the Hospital and was there for 2 days. I called my onc on Monday and told them that I was in the Hospital. My onc does not practice in the Hospital that I was in so an associate was sent to see me. My husband says that we were abandonded by my onc and left to fend for ourselves. If you get sick on the weekend you get no response from the service and you are more or less on your own.
Donna
Comments
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I would be furious! GEEZ! I
I would be furious! GEEZ! I have such great Dr.s and the hospital was so good. My only problem--- they could have empied my "hats" I had to save my eliminations in a little quicker,other than that I had no complaints. My Surgeon who did my hernia, I must have drove him crazy, but every time I called his service, he returned my call within 15 mins. Both times I was sick on the weekends also.
That is terrible how the abandoned you! you can get Imodium OTC. I find it works well. I go a lot with my Celiac.
The last time I was in was the weekend before Christmas for the electrolyte imbalance which is something you definately can get with your diarrhea and vomiting! My levels were so low, the ER Dr never saw them so low in a still conscious person. I waited in the one holding area about a half hour before one of the ER Dr.s came in to see me and do a brief evaluation, then the next one came in and had blood tests ordered. It took about an hour and he came back and started IV's with the 4 replacement electrolytes I needed. I was in there quite awhile like 2 more hours, but they brought me something to eat. Helped me walk to the bathroom and back. I was then admitted to a room around 4 pm. I got there from the start around Noon.
I would be very sure if they send youa survey, I'd let them have it with the big guns!0 -
Oh Donna
It's bad enough to
Oh Donna
It's bad enough to feel that horrible but to be dropped by your medical team is not acceptable. Check with your hospital to find out which doctors are affilated with them. My hospital has cancer center and a website so I was able to check out all the doctors on it. It also helps that all the doctors can look in the computer to see where I'm at in the treatments.
I switched my rad oncol. doctor and when I told my oncol. that I have to switch, he said "it's the patients choice to change doctors at any time during treatment". Made me like him even more.
When I was in chemo, I had to call the office twice after hours and the on-call doc called back within 1/2 hour and when I thanked this doc I hadn't seen from the practice he said "it was his pleasure to help me"! This is the kind of care you need to have.
I hope you feel better soon.
Sher0 -
That is disgraceful
I haven't had any reason to want to change my onco, but if this had happened to me, you bet your sweet bippy I'd be changing.
So sorry you've had to endure all of these challenges. keep ua poste on what you decide and how you're doing.
(((Hugz)))
Cindy0 -
Your situation is toocindycflynn said:That is disgraceful
I haven't had any reason to want to change my onco, but if this had happened to me, you bet your sweet bippy I'd be changing.
So sorry you've had to endure all of these challenges. keep ua poste on what you decide and how you're doing.
(((Hugz)))
Cindy
Your situation is too precarius to be fooling around. You are haveing some vicious sideeffects and potentially dangerous. dehydration electrolyte embalance, to nowt be followed carefully and quickly. I was in the hospital for 3 days it was the local hospital and i was followed by my local doc. they did call the on call onc person at my hosptial and I talked to my onc I was treated very well at my local hospital.
I have thought about changing my onc but would not do so under my circumstances. But you need close attention what happened to you was BS. No I would call and scream bloody murder.0 -
UNACCEPTABLE is my only
UNACCEPTABLE is my only response. I have not been in this situation but cannot believe you were left to fend for yourself. This definately warrants calls to the onco and hospital. I'm so sorry you have had such a terrible time with chemo. I hope you get relief and soon. Take care and keep us posted on your condition.0 -
very upsettingMyTurnNow said:UNACCEPTABLE is my only
UNACCEPTABLE is my only response. I have not been in this situation but cannot believe you were left to fend for yourself. This definately warrants calls to the onco and hospital. I'm so sorry you have had such a terrible time with chemo. I hope you get relief and soon. Take care and keep us posted on your condition.
i dont think it is write at all i would be very upset also.my onco always gave me plenty of refills on meds when i was doing chemo that way i had them. i hope you get feeling better and best wishes to you...
teresa0 -
So sorryMyTurnNow said:UNACCEPTABLE is my only
UNACCEPTABLE is my only response. I have not been in this situation but cannot believe you were left to fend for yourself. This definately warrants calls to the onco and hospital. I'm so sorry you have had such a terrible time with chemo. I hope you get relief and soon. Take care and keep us posted on your condition.
I am so sorry that you had to go thru all of that. It is not right, not at all. I agree that it is unacceptable treatment. You should contact the hospital and your oncologist and get to the bottom of this. I pray that you feel better soon.
Sue
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Somehow, I think that if
Somehow, I think that if your onc's wife, mother, or daughter had gotten this same non-response and sub-human treatment from a physician, heads would roll!
We have indeed had sisters change oncologists; it seems to me that the trust has been breached. I cannot imagine your comfort level at your next visit...though this certainly must be addressed. For whatever reason, this does not seem to be a "love match". My onco had no bedside manner, and I wish I had known of someone else, but he was never non attentive. I am simply the type of patient who needs re-assurance and the proverbial pat on the head, and he wasn't that type of man. Nevertheless, he never abandoned me, or left me without care! As MyTurnNow said, UNACCEPTABLE
I made so many calls to my cancer center that I only half joke about having them on speed dial while I was in treatment. It didn't matter if my Dr was there or not, or if it was after hours or weekends~ within 15 minutes I was always called, and prescriptions sent, or whatever was needed. The on call Drs were perhaps even more attentive than my own Dr was.
Please let us know that you and your husband will indeed not let this go, but make sure someone is held accountable! We have all had bad service at a restaurant, or a lousy haircut, or a cranky salesperson~ we can b.itch about that and "get over it". This is NOT one of those circumstances! This is life-saving, killing the beast treatment we are talking about! As if I needed to tell you that~ sorry! LOL
Bless your heart, I hope you are feeling physically much much better, and that the emotional trauma you and your husband went through will also be dealt with to your satisfaction.
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
I agree with everyone here...chenheart said:Somehow, I think that if
Somehow, I think that if your onc's wife, mother, or daughter had gotten this same non-response and sub-human treatment from a physician, heads would roll!
We have indeed had sisters change oncologists; it seems to me that the trust has been breached. I cannot imagine your comfort level at your next visit...though this certainly must be addressed. For whatever reason, this does not seem to be a "love match". My onco had no bedside manner, and I wish I had known of someone else, but he was never non attentive. I am simply the type of patient who needs re-assurance and the proverbial pat on the head, and he wasn't that type of man. Nevertheless, he never abandoned me, or left me without care! As MyTurnNow said, UNACCEPTABLE
I made so many calls to my cancer center that I only half joke about having them on speed dial while I was in treatment. It didn't matter if my Dr was there or not, or if it was after hours or weekends~ within 15 minutes I was always called, and prescriptions sent, or whatever was needed. The on call Drs were perhaps even more attentive than my own Dr was.
Please let us know that you and your husband will indeed not let this go, but make sure someone is held accountable! We have all had bad service at a restaurant, or a lousy haircut, or a cranky salesperson~ we can b.itch about that and "get over it". This is NOT one of those circumstances! This is life-saving, killing the beast treatment we are talking about! As if I needed to tell you that~ sorry! LOL
Bless your heart, I hope you are feeling physically much much better, and that the emotional trauma you and your husband went through will also be dealt with to your satisfaction.
Hugs,
Chen♥
it is indeed enough "emotional trauma" as Chenheart said, to have cancer, but to be abandoned by your onc team is unacceptable, it's dispicable. I changed oncs after chemo, but I made the decision long before that time to find someone else. The only reason why I didn't change prior to comlpletion of chemo was because the location was convenient for my friend who was taking me and onc nurse were so amazingly compassionate.
Regardless of the explanation that is given by your dr as to why you were not cared for properly, is no excuse for such incompetentcy. I hope your husband deals with this issue quickly and without reserve.
dmc0 -
I think you shoulddmc_emmy said:I agree with everyone here...
it is indeed enough "emotional trauma" as Chenheart said, to have cancer, but to be abandoned by your onc team is unacceptable, it's dispicable. I changed oncs after chemo, but I made the decision long before that time to find someone else. The only reason why I didn't change prior to comlpletion of chemo was because the location was convenient for my friend who was taking me and onc nurse were so amazingly compassionate.
Regardless of the explanation that is given by your dr as to why you were not cared for properly, is no excuse for such incompetentcy. I hope your husband deals with this issue quickly and without reserve.
dmc
change your oncologist even in the middle of your treatment.
I is not acceptable and you need to be in good care for long time, Now is the time to take actions, Ask for references and find the good and responsible doctor. Role of oncologist is very important for BC patient. He is the one who will navigate your care and well-being for at least another 5 years after your Chemo will be finished, I agree with your husband!!!
During my BC treatment I changed two primary care physicians to have doctor available on the phone for 24/7. I am going to change my oncologist too, because I do not feel connected and fell that I deserve more respect and attention that I have bee given by my current one.
I am very sorry for your health conditions. Hopefully, you will feel better by New Year eve.
Happy holidays to you and your family0 -
I agreeNew Flower said:I think you should
change your oncologist even in the middle of your treatment.
I is not acceptable and you need to be in good care for long time, Now is the time to take actions, Ask for references and find the good and responsible doctor. Role of oncologist is very important for BC patient. He is the one who will navigate your care and well-being for at least another 5 years after your Chemo will be finished, I agree with your husband!!!
During my BC treatment I changed two primary care physicians to have doctor available on the phone for 24/7. I am going to change my oncologist too, because I do not feel connected and fell that I deserve more respect and attention that I have bee given by my current one.
I am very sorry for your health conditions. Hopefully, you will feel better by New Year eve.
Happy holidays to you and your family
I wouldn't even give them the chance for any kind of explination and I would probably report him if there is such a way!! WOW I cannot imagine how awful you must have felt!! I do hope that you are feeling better today.. Please let us know!!!0 -
wow
wow i am so sorry that you had to go though all that but before you change doctors meet with him and let him know what happen do this face to face because it might have been the answering service not doing there jobs and also let him know if you talked with his nurse about the refill of meds when i call the answering service i all ways get there name and when i talk to the nurse i get her name and the time that i talked with her.Let the doctor there is a problem that he don't know of, i use to work for a doctor and to tell you the truth they don't know there is a problem till the pt tell them and that's when they are about to change doctors.0 -
Better TodayCalleen said:I agree
I wouldn't even give them the chance for any kind of explination and I would probably report him if there is such a way!! WOW I cannot imagine how awful you must have felt!! I do hope that you are feeling better today.. Please let us know!!!
I am better today.
Had my first MUGA Scan(Scan of the heart function) today because I am getting Herceptin. My husband had a talk with a Hospital Administator about my treatment in the ER. He also asked who she would recommend as an onc. She gave us options. I will call tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment with one of them.
Donna0 -
So sorry to hear about your
So sorry to hear about your ordeal. Your oncologist dropped the ball, Big Time! It's traumatic enough to have to undergo chemo. Patients should not have to deal with whether their doctor is going to be there in times of need. Best of luck with your new oncologist! Will keep fingers crossed all goes well for you. You and your family have been through enough.
BL0 -
What a sad story...Bella Luna said:So sorry to hear about your
So sorry to hear about your ordeal. Your oncologist dropped the ball, Big Time! It's traumatic enough to have to undergo chemo. Patients should not have to deal with whether their doctor is going to be there in times of need. Best of luck with your new oncologist! Will keep fingers crossed all goes well for you. You and your family have been through enough.
BL
So sad that you had to go through all that just because no one would call in your meds.
I say talk to your onc and let him know you're considering getting a 2nd opinion to see if there is another doc who would help you on weekends, and see what he says.
Let us know what happens either way. He's NOT GOD!!! You can switch any time you want.
YOU PAY HIM!!!! He should be helping you day or night, weekday or weekend. THE END.
AMEN.0 -
Mama G you crack me up! LetMama G said:What a sad story...
So sad that you had to go through all that just because no one would call in your meds.
I say talk to your onc and let him know you're considering getting a 2nd opinion to see if there is another doc who would help you on weekends, and see what he says.
Let us know what happens either way. He's NOT GOD!!! You can switch any time you want.
YOU PAY HIM!!!! He should be helping you day or night, weekday or weekend. THE END.
AMEN.
Mama G you crack me up! Let us know how you are Donna!0 -
Horrible!Mama G said:What a sad story...
So sad that you had to go through all that just because no one would call in your meds.
I say talk to your onc and let him know you're considering getting a 2nd opinion to see if there is another doc who would help you on weekends, and see what he says.
Let us know what happens either way. He's NOT GOD!!! You can switch any time you want.
YOU PAY HIM!!!! He should be helping you day or night, weekday or weekend. THE END.
AMEN.
What happened to you is just plain horrible and not right! You need to talk to your oncologist and make him aware of how you were treated. This is just not acceptable, not at all! I agree wholeheartedly with Mama G, he works for YOU! You can always fire him and get a new oncologist. Lots of us have done it. You have to trust and feel comfortable with your oncologist. Keep us informed of what happens.
♥ Noel0 -
Sometimes change is a good
Sometimes change is a good thing. I would talk to these other oncs, see how they would handle your situation, and then decide from there. My first response to people in situations like this is to "FOLLOW YOUR GUT INSTINCT!" Your gut doesn't seem to like this current onc. Move on to one it does! Good luck to you! PItt0 -
Hi Donna, I was wonderingpitt said:Sometimes change is a good
Sometimes change is a good thing. I would talk to these other oncs, see how they would handle your situation, and then decide from there. My first response to people in situations like this is to "FOLLOW YOUR GUT INSTINCT!" Your gut doesn't seem to like this current onc. Move on to one it does! Good luck to you! PItt
Hi Donna, I was wondering how you made out--did you change doctors, are you feeling better??? Keep us posted.0 -
Feeling Okay This WeekSher43009 said:Hi Donna, I was wondering
Hi Donna, I was wondering how you made out--did you change doctors, are you feeling better??? Keep us posted.
This is my third week after chemo, so I am much better.
I have an appointment next week with a new onc at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Institute. Top notch Medical Team but I have to go downtown Miami to see them and I hate the traffic. I will know more after my appointment. I called my old onc's office and requested they send my records to the new team.
Donna0
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