Remember, You Have The Right to Change Doctors

Lighthouse_7

carkris said:

Lighthouse you can switch to
Lighthouse you can switch to anyone in the practice. They are used to it. Where do you go? I get treated in boston too!

Carkris,
I remember that you
Carkris,
I remember that you go to Beth Israel, you recommended Hester to me and I love you for it. I have been going to Mass General for my lumpectomy's and my Thorasic surgeon ( chest biopsy.) I love them both.
I am happy to report that after sending my Onc emails and yesterday's appointment, he was very receptive to my questions and took time to listen and answer my questions.
It makes you wonder why you have to be a squeaky wheel sometimes, but I feel much better after yesterday.
Thanks to Janelle and everyone here for helping me and insisting that I feel comfortable.
Hugs to you all,
Wanda

Kylez

cahjah75 said:

Janelle
so glad you are happy with your new oncologist. Hopefully your dr will have some answers for you. I hope it's not the Arimidex because my dr is putting me on it in the near future. I'm sure your CSN recipient will love her ornament. I sent mine last week.
Char

We have to feel comfortable
We have to feel comfortable with our doctors and I think it is so great that you now really trust and like yours Janelle.


We all need to rethink staying with our current doctor if we aren't comfortable with them. And, get a 2nd opinion.

Thanks for the post!

DianeBC

Lighthouse_7 said:

Carkris,
I remember that you
Carkris,
I remember that you go to Beth Israel, you recommended Hester to me and I love you for it. I have been going to Mass General for my lumpectomy's and my Thorasic surgeon ( chest biopsy.) I love them both.
I am happy to report that after sending my Onc emails and yesterday's appointment, he was very receptive to my questions and took time to listen and answer my questions.
It makes you wonder why you have to be a squeaky wheel sometimes, but I feel much better after yesterday.
Thanks to Janelle and everyone here for helping me and insisting that I feel comfortable.
Hugs to you all,
Wanda

I'm glad Wanda that you feel
I'm glad Wanda that you feel better with your oncologist now too. It is important that we feel very comfortable with our oncologist. After all, they are the main ones in charge of our treatments.

Hugs, Diane

shelbyhome

I am changing Onc too, I
I am changing Onc too, I started with one in Florida where I was at when I found out I had BC and when we came home to Michigan the one that was recomended to me is very hard to understand and just blows off most of my complaints and questions. My husband thinks I should stick with him but I am not comfortable so I am changing when we get home from Florida next year, I am going to see the one in Florida when we get there in January. So I feel we are paying them to take care of our live and if we aren't happy then find on that we are happy with, that is what my family Dr. said as he told me that not everyone likes him...lol Hugs:) Robbin

Megan M

webbwife50 said:

Good!
Hi Janelle, so glad to hear you are so happy with the doc change. It can make a real difference. Happy to hear you are feeling the Holyday spirit. Have a great day! I suffer from neuropathy in my hand too...hugs alison

Thanks Janelle for posting
Thanks Janelle for posting this. I think there are more sisters that are scared to change doctors than we even realize. This proves that if you don't feel comfortable, get another opinion.


Hugs, Megan

Alexis F

shelbyhome said:

I am changing Onc too, I
I am changing Onc too, I started with one in Florida where I was at when I found out I had BC and when we came home to Michigan the one that was recomended to me is very hard to understand and just blows off most of my complaints and questions. My husband thinks I should stick with him but I am not comfortable so I am changing when we get home from Florida next year, I am going to see the one in Florida when we get there in January. So I feel we are paying them to take care of our live and if we aren't happy then find on that we are happy with, that is what my family Dr. said as he told me that not everyone likes him...lol Hugs:) Robbin

Very happy Janelle that
Very happy Janelle that everything worked out so well for you. Wishing you continued good health and good luck with your new doctor.

This is a very important post, so, thank you for sharing it with your sisters.

Hugs, Lex

Noel

Different Ballgame said:

In same practice
It is amazing what I keep learning. The doctor I changed to is in the same practice. It is a BIG PRACTICE. Many hematology oncologists. What I found out is that out of all the hematologists in this practice, 3 were geared for breast cancer, among other areas also. The remaining hematology oncologists were not geared for breast cancer. Before this knowledge, I thought all them did everything. Not so!!! They are specialized or have special interests in certain kinds of cancer.

My internist spoke with new doctor to ask if there would be a problem with my switching to her. She responded that there would be no problem. The hematology oncologist is your most important cancer doctor and you better feel comfortable and trust that doctor. If not, run till you find one that you can trust.

I do not have a network. My hospital is one of the top hospitals in Chicago. I chose each doctor based on oncology surgeon's recommendation. Dr. Bethe recommended my internist, plastic surgeon, and hematology oncologist. I asked Dr. Bethke for another recommendation when I told him that I had mixed emotions on the first one he recommended.

Why can't you keep your surgeon? Just because you change hospitals, that does not mean that you have to change all your doctors.

All my doctors are at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with the exception of my radiation oncologist. She is at Lutheran General Hospital. You just make sure that all doctors have the names of all your doctors and that reports are sent to all your doctors. Three oncology doctors are: hematologist, radiation, surgeon. PLUS your internist.

Keep the doctor you like. Change the one you don't like. Keep all of them informed.

Hugs,
Janelle

Great advice Janelle! This
Great advice Janelle! This is so true, if you don't like or can't trust your current doctor, for anything, get another opinion, and another, and another until you feel comfortable and can trust in how they are treating you.

Good luck to you Janelle!

VickiSam

Alexis F said:

Very happy Janelle that
Very happy Janelle that everything worked out so well for you. Wishing you continued good health and good luck with your new doctor.

This is a very important post, so, thank you for sharing it with your sisters.

Hugs, Lex

Janelle .. you hit the nail right on the head ... we
as patience have rights! We have the right to switch doctors, Oncologist and hospitals. Group insurance coverage also provides a listing of all hospitals and affliated doctors and specialist.

We are smart consumers about the food and clothing, and home furnishing we purchase -- should we not do the same with our health?


Vicki Sam