How do you get a 2nd opinion at Sloan if you've already started chemo?

heatherdrnd

My brother is stage IV with colon cancer and started chemo with his local treatment center. He has decided to start looking for a second opinion and called Sloan this morning. He was basically told because he has already started chemo to finish his chemo treatment and then call back when he's done. Hmmmm...not such a warm and fuzy, we want to work with you response. Anyone have any suggestions/advice. Does Sloan give 2nd opinions if you've already started treatment? Any advice how to get an appointment with them?

geotina

Ummmmm
Not too sure on this one. If your brother just started treatment with chemo, there is a good chance that the chemo that Sloan would do would be the same that he is getting now. There is a board member, Plucky I think, that is going to Sloan from Chicago for a liver resection in February. She may be a good start as to how she navigated getting into Sloan. Look down through the posts, she posted this within the last couple weeks. When you find her post, you can send her a pm. When you get an answer from her, please post it for the rest of us.

We will be seeking a second opinion shortly regarding liver/lung mets. Right now, George is doing very well with his oncologist but we need to seek out any other options besides chemo that may be available. We will most likely stay in Michigan though because we have 2 comprehensive cancer centers/hospitals within an hour of our home.

There are others on the board being treated at Sloan, maybe they will chime in.

Good Luck - Tina

pluckey

i got the same reply
i was specifically looking to get in with a Liver Surgeon. I got in because of a connection. I would tell your brother to call back and lie. I was going to just lie to get in if my conncection didn't work. They must have so many people trying to get appts, so this is how they manage it. i was pissed. why does being in treatment have anything to do with seeking a 2nd opinion?


Peggy

PhillieG

Second Opinion
I do not see why they can't give a second opinion. I can understand how they would not want to disrupt treatment that has already begun but the opinion is just that, an opinion. I would call back to make sure things were explained correctly and let them know that you just want an opinion, not a change in treatment (necessarily. It sounds like there could be a misunderstanding.

Julie 44

PhillieG said:

Second Opinion
I do not see why they can't give a second opinion. I can understand how they would not want to disrupt treatment that has already begun but the opinion is just that, an opinion. I would call back to make sure things were explained correctly and let them know that you just want an opinion, not a change in treatment (necessarily. It sounds like there could be a misunderstanding.

Sloan
I had to have a referral from my oncologist who I am presently using to go see the liver specalist at Sloan....Just tell your doc you want to check out Sloan and see what they have to say not to change treatment at this time but to see what they think....Good luck I liked the way I was treated there...I am doing chemo where I live but will go there to get my liver operation..Good luck....JULIE

Julie 44

PhillieG said:

Second Opinion
I do not see why they can't give a second opinion. I can understand how they would not want to disrupt treatment that has already begun but the opinion is just that, an opinion. I would call back to make sure things were explained correctly and let them know that you just want an opinion, not a change in treatment (necessarily. It sounds like there could be a misunderstanding.

Sloan
I had to have a referral from my oncologist who I am presently using to go see the liver specalist at Sloan....Just tell your doc you want to check out Sloan and see what they have to say not to change treatment at this time but to see what they think....Good luck I liked the way I was treated there...I am doing chemo where I live but will go there to get my liver operation..Good luck....JULIE

Julie 44

PhillieG said:

Second Opinion
I do not see why they can't give a second opinion. I can understand how they would not want to disrupt treatment that has already begun but the opinion is just that, an opinion. I would call back to make sure things were explained correctly and let them know that you just want an opinion, not a change in treatment (necessarily. It sounds like there could be a misunderstanding.

Sloan
I had to have a referral from my oncologist who I am presently using to go see the liver specalist at Sloan....Just tell your doc you want to check out Sloan and see what they have to say not to change treatment at this time but to see what they think....Good luck I liked the way I was treated there...I am doing chemo where I live but will go there to get my liver operation..Good luck....JULIE

kersha

2nd opinon
When my husband had started chemo we also called Sloan for 2nd opinion and was told the same thing finish the chemo do a scan and then call for an appointment and then it would take 5weeks before getting the appointment. We called MD Anderson and in 2 weeks got an appointment.