Worried about Oncologist!!!

LadyParvati

Ladies,

Tonight I received an automated phone call from my oncologist's office reminding me that I have a chemo appt on Monday--but the time was wrong!! I am very, very upset, as this is the third time that an error has occurred with this group, and I'm beginning to doubt their ability to treat me correctly.

I have a Shaving Party scheduled for Monday at 4:30 p.m. This party was first set up based on two things--my original chemo start date of 12/23, which I changed to 12/28 so I wouldn't have chemo on the first week of the month so I could attend support group meetings, plus the fact that all three of my sons could attend. The two oldest leave the state on Jan 5.

My doctor (?) failed to schedule the insertion of my chemo port and couldn't get an insertion date before 12/30, so the 12/28 date got changed to 1/4. They told me to arrive at the Diagnostic Center for the insertion of the port at 6 a.m.--but the Diagnostic Center doesn't open until 6:30 a.m.! We live in a different town from the hospital and weather has been an issue, so we left home at 5 a.m. to be sure to arrive by 6.

Now this phone call. My chemo is supposed to begin at 11:30 a.m., and I set the party time after the nurse assured me that I would be through with chemo in plenty of time to get back to my town by 4 p.m. I've invited a LOT of people, and rescheduling it would be hell!

What should I do? I'm not only worried about the scheduling mess, but I'm also worried that these people will be unable to treat me correctly--if they can't even get the little things right, how can I trust them to get the big things right????

Has anyone else had these problems? What would you do if this was happening to you?

Thanks for your input! Sandy

dmc_emmy

Sandy, I would like to know who is dropping the ball...
if it's the scheduling dept, I would complain directly to your oncologist. If it's your oncologist, I would consider looking for another onocolgist for your team of doctors.

I have never had these kind of problems while going through treatment, but I have had several challenges in terms of my "follow-up" visits. I dealt with these as they happened and, interestingly enough, the same problems never recurred. The old addege about the "squeaky wheel" really does hold true.

This is no time to stay quiet, but it is the time to take control. Hope all works out well for you.
dmc

KathiM

I'm sorry you are struggling....
I agree, you need to find out the culprit...the doc may not even know it's happening. If it's his/her office...complain to him/her!!!!!! He/she needs to know!!!!

BUT, if your confidence in your treatment team isn't strong...look to change it...the 'first round' treatment protocol is fairly standard, at least that is what City of Hope in CA told me...so you can shop for someone else...Faith in your body, and your team is the most important thing!!!!!

Hugs, Kathi

Sher43009

In my oncologist office it's
In my oncologist office it's the nurses that do the scheduling. Call the office first thing Monday morning and tell them about the time mix up and you have to have the earlier time slot. Don't be silent about your treatment. I would also talk to your doctor--he/she may not know there's a problem. If he/she doesn't back you up it's time to get another doctor. Good luck with this.

LadyParvati

Sher43009 said:

In my oncologist office it's
In my oncologist office it's the nurses that do the scheduling. Call the office first thing Monday morning and tell them about the time mix up and you have to have the earlier time slot. Don't be silent about your treatment. I would also talk to your doctor--he/she may not know there's a problem. If he/she doesn't back you up it's time to get another doctor. Good luck with this.

Thank you!
Thank you, everyone! You have confirmed my sense that this shouldn't be happening and that seeking another oncologist would not be inappropriate if these problems continue. She seems really sharp and knowledgeable about chemotherapy, but either she or her staff are definitely having scheduling issues. That suggests that the staff--if it isn't the doctor--are mismanaged.

I really appreciate the confirmation, as I'm at the point of never knowing when I'm overreacting to something just because of the beast taking over my life!

Arrrhgghggh! Sandy

carkris

LadyParvati said:

Thank you!
Thank you, everyone! You have confirmed my sense that this shouldn't be happening and that seeking another oncologist would not be inappropriate if these problems continue. She seems really sharp and knowledgeable about chemotherapy, but either she or her staff are definitely having scheduling issues. That suggests that the staff--if it isn't the doctor--are mismanaged.

I really appreciate the confirmation, as I'm at the point of never knowing when I'm overreacting to something just because of the beast taking over my life!

Arrrhgghggh! Sandy

if yu have faith in her
if yu have faith in her Knowlege then make a stink thesqueaky whell gets the grease and they will be more careful with you and perhaps it will straighten out tell them these mix ups are unaccepable.

KathiM

carkris said:

if yu have faith in her
if yu have faith in her Knowlege then make a stink thesqueaky whell gets the grease and they will be more careful with you and perhaps it will straighten out tell them these mix ups are unaccepable.

I agree completely....
This is no time to be a shrinking violet!!!

Hugs, Kathi

CypressCynthia

Finding a reputable oncologist
I am a nurse practitioner and have been in health care for 32 yrs. Here are my tips for finding a good oncologist:
1. Call your local hospital's cancer center and ask an RN for at least 3 oncologists (do not ask them about a specific doc as they will not criticize a doc you are currently seeing). Ask why they are recommending the oncologist. Let them know what is important to you in a physician. If you are very anxious, let them know that too. Some docs are more giving and patient than others. Personally, I can put up with a so/so bedside manner if the doc stays excellent and current in his/her field.
2. Some cities have a local magazine that will have a yearly edition naming top docs. The one in my area is amazingly right on. See where the recommendations are coming from (other docs, the public, nurses?). Our local magazine ratings come from other experts in the field.
3. If you are undergoing radiation, ask the radiologist who he/she would see.
4. You can look at the online ratings, but you will not know who is doing the rating, so you have to be a little suspicious. But if you are seeing many complaints, you may want to stay away.
5. I would not necessarily go by my friends and neighbors' recommendations. I have had neighbors recommend docs who I would be loathe to see.


Hope this helps!

jk1952

CypressCynthia said:

Finding a reputable oncologist
I am a nurse practitioner and have been in health care for 32 yrs. Here are my tips for finding a good oncologist:
1. Call your local hospital's cancer center and ask an RN for at least 3 oncologists (do not ask them about a specific doc as they will not criticize a doc you are currently seeing). Ask why they are recommending the oncologist. Let them know what is important to you in a physician. If you are very anxious, let them know that too. Some docs are more giving and patient than others. Personally, I can put up with a so/so bedside manner if the doc stays excellent and current in his/her field.
2. Some cities have a local magazine that will have a yearly edition naming top docs. The one in my area is amazingly right on. See where the recommendations are coming from (other docs, the public, nurses?). Our local magazine ratings come from other experts in the field.
3. If you are undergoing radiation, ask the radiologist who he/she would see.
4. You can look at the online ratings, but you will not know who is doing the rating, so you have to be a little suspicious. But if you are seeing many complaints, you may want to stay away.
5. I would not necessarily go by my friends and neighbors' recommendations. I have had neighbors recommend docs who I would be loathe to see.


Hope this helps!

Cypress Cynthia, these are
Cypress Cynthia, these are all good recommendations. I also seek my primary care physician's advice, since he is very well connected and has been a great resource for me over the years.

I would like to comment on one item: the local magazine with the annual edition naming the top doctors. Our small city has the same thing, with ratings from other doctors in the field, and I find that it is very dependent upon which hospital the doctor is associated with. The doctors from the large hospital with the medical school are 95% of the best doctors in this magazine, while there are very few from the other three hospitals, because they aren't as well known. My doctors have all been from the smaller hospitals, and they all have very good reputations. My plastic surgeon is practically a 'rock star' in his field, being very well respected by his national plastic surgery colleagues, but he doesn't even make this magazine. I just wouldn't want to have a doctor dismissed because they don't make this local magazine: I've always received very good leading-edge care from my group of 'non-best' doctors.

I'm sure that this is more of an exception than the rule, but I did want to share my experience from a smaller city which is dominated by a teaching hospital.

Joyce

newbiefromcananda

I would definetly seek out
I would definetly seek out another oncoligist... they tell us to try to stay stress free...and no worries...how can you feel this way if you always have doubt about your treatment..you have to put your care in someleses hands ... you should trust those hands!! As for your party .. go to your treatment at the time you were originally given .. they don't know you recieved the message about a time change... twll them when you get there that you were told you would be finished by a certain time.... I hope you find a great oncoligist and your trust is reastablished with your new DR... Best of luck...((((hugs))) Lisa xoxo

New Flower

jk1952 said:

Cypress Cynthia, these are
Cypress Cynthia, these are all good recommendations. I also seek my primary care physician's advice, since he is very well connected and has been a great resource for me over the years.

I would like to comment on one item: the local magazine with the annual edition naming the top doctors. Our small city has the same thing, with ratings from other doctors in the field, and I find that it is very dependent upon which hospital the doctor is associated with. The doctors from the large hospital with the medical school are 95% of the best doctors in this magazine, while there are very few from the other three hospitals, because they aren't as well known. My doctors have all been from the smaller hospitals, and they all have very good reputations. My plastic surgeon is practically a 'rock star' in his field, being very well respected by his national plastic surgery colleagues, but he doesn't even make this magazine. I just wouldn't want to have a doctor dismissed because they don't make this local magazine: I've always received very good leading-edge care from my group of 'non-best' doctors.

I'm sure that this is more of an exception than the rule, but I did want to share my experience from a smaller city which is dominated by a teaching hospital.

Joyce

ask your primary to call your oncologist
If you have a good primary care physician ask for help dealing with oncologist,
I had similar problem with my oncologist who is nationally recognized scientist and clinical oncologist in area of breast cancer research and treatment. His office has serious organizational problems as well..
Due to my conditions I did not have time to look around and I wanted to be treated by top doc.
My PCP being in touch with oncologist did help me a lot . Nurses were very good, so I do not regret my decision to stay with him.

By the way I am going to change mine since i finished my Chemo treatment and want somebody with better personal skills.

Kathy09

appt.
If you like the oncologist stick with them. At my office they give you a piece of paper with your appointment or appointments listed on it. Thy also ask you bring it with you when you come in. I did have a problem with a time, when I returned to my car, it turned out they were right on the time. You also have alot going on in your mind. I know sometimes (alot of times) now have trouble remembering things. But it does seem like you have had more than on problem. Could be a new person on there end working. Question it first.

Lee27

Kathy09 said:

appt.
If you like the oncologist stick with them. At my office they give you a piece of paper with your appointment or appointments listed on it. Thy also ask you bring it with you when you come in. I did have a problem with a time, when I returned to my car, it turned out they were right on the time. You also have alot going on in your mind. I know sometimes (alot of times) now have trouble remembering things. But it does seem like you have had more than on problem. Could be a new person on there end working. Question it first.

Office Help
In my experience, it has often been the front desk and one particular nurse that calls me with all kinds of crazy errors. I ask them to log the errors in my files and to be sure to let the Doctor know of these situations as well. Keeps folks more on their toes when they find you are being your own advocate.

For what it's worth.
Lee 27

LadyParvati

Lee27 said:

Office Help
In my experience, it has often been the front desk and one particular nurse that calls me with all kinds of crazy errors. I ask them to log the errors in my files and to be sure to let the Doctor know of these situations as well. Keeps folks more on their toes when they find you are being your own advocate.

For what it's worth.
Lee 27

More Great Tips! Thanks!
I would never have thought to have them log the errors, but what a great idea! All of you have given me both good advice and courage, so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I have written a letter detailing the issues, but I started with some praise for the things I like before I went into my complaint. I also spoke with the physician's assistant for my surgeon, who is the head of the team, and she told me definitely send the letter. She also gave me the name of the Chief Medical Officer of the health science center and told me he should receive a copy along with the Chair of the Hematology/Oncology Department. She got upset right along with me, and she said that her dr. was going to rip the oncologist up for not scheduling the chemo port insertion earlier--and with him--as he would have done it before Christmas if he'd been contacted. *sigh* Ah, well, life goes on. She also said to go at the originally scheduled time and if there were any questions to remind them that I have an important meeting in the afternoon.

I'm not so upset any more, so my poor husband will survive once again . . . (poor guy, he tends to get the worst of my venting!)

Thanks again, everyone! Happy New Year! Sandy

I

Lynda53

LadyP My 2 cents
Sorry you are having so many issues. I did not have a shaving party, I did cut myhair shorter, butasit thinned drastically in the shower I did wish it were even shorter. The hair in my hands and the drain made it the most tangible part of this nightmare, and became upsetting. Mind you my hair thinned,not all gone, but really thin, looks more like it is just coming back in then having fallen out!
I have had 3 treatments,7-8 onco visits,3 breast surgeon visits, and about 15 tests.
All but one were promt d accurate. The 1st time that the blood work was 10 minutes late for the onco, never happened again as he was not happy.If my bllod is at 12 onco is at 1230 and I am out maybe 115.
Chosing my onco wasdfferent. A new cancer center,locally, I askedm wasgiven 2 names, told who was best, but that he had bedside manner issues. I discussed this w/his hlep,my fends and him. His job is to treat me, not hold my hand and love me, he does not handle patients not following instructions well. I have no problem with that and have left myself to his care. Idid have 1 other issue on a follow up MRi,getting the roundarund. I faxd my onco at 730 am, and had my appoitments and mammos within 30 minutes. He is forceful!
This past week had to go to the so called best of Bosotn. dana Farber,brighams Womens, and 2 specialists. The appoitments wee wrong 4 of 5 times, meds were wrong every time,instructions were wrong! Althought the staff was quite pleasnt the stress of errors ws too much.I was inand out for 43 hours for a special treatment. (overnight icu for 24)I'll stick with my local place which is also dana and brighams.
I think you need to ask what is the problem,why the confusions and delays? This is about you.About being treated,corretly,professionally and timely.
Who do you consider the orchestra leder? Onco,primary surgeon, that is where I would start with questions/complaints,worked for me.
Best of luck
Peace