My cancer docs keep leaving! 3 now!

sonyk728
sonyk728 Member Posts: 124
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Quick background: initial cancer care in Fargo, ND with Dr. V.

Spread, spread, spread after 3 surgeries, 2 chemos and radiation.

He referred me to Dr. Kim in St. Paul, MN for CyberKnife. That took care of the last spread but Dr. Kim retired. Now 2 suspicious spots on lungs one year later. Met her replacement, he's okay and recommends a 2 month CAT follow up. 

On top of all this, my ENT/surgeon in Fargo was in a bike accident and is not practicing for some time. My Fargo radiologisht filled in for him and so far it went well.

So that's three docs down. Should I be concerned? Will the next docs really know the course my original docs wanted? Will they have a better one? Ugh feeling confused and abandoned?

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Not Alone Here Girl...

    Man, I can only imagine your frustration, concern and anxiety....

    I can offer you my thoughts, my prayers, and my hopes for a long good uneventful future....

    John

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #3
    I have a sense you will be successful

    Sonyk728,

    My favorite “I have no sense of taste” friend.  You are my taste description star (silly but true).

    I wish you lots of luck in finding and keeping your next doc (4th times the charm).  Being concerned just means you will find a good one and when you do the feeling of confused and abandon will go away.

    Good thoughts and prayers for you.

    Matt

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #4
    Gosh!

    That has to be beyond aggravating!!  I'm sorry that you're having to deal with all of this.  Hopefully they have good communication and your files contain all of the information that #4 will need.  Be vocal and involved in all decisions.  I was stuck (so to speak) with an awful rads onc and it was miserable.  If I had been smart I would have demanded a switch.  Prayers will be said for you! 

  • sonyk728
    sonyk728 Member Posts: 124
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Not Alone Here Girl...

    Man, I can only imagine your frustration, concern and anxiety....

    I can offer you my thoughts, my prayers, and my hopes for a long good uneventful future....

    John

    Thanks!

    I am feeling better today. Last night was tough because that's when I heard my onc is leaving. Sleep does wonders!

  • sonyk728
    sonyk728 Member Posts: 124
    #6
    CivilMatt said:

    I have a sense you will be successful

    Sonyk728,

    My favorite “I have no sense of taste” friend.  You are my taste description star (silly but true).

    I wish you lots of luck in finding and keeping your next doc (4th times the charm).  Being concerned just means you will find a good one and when you do the feeling of confused and abandon will go away.

    Good thoughts and prayers for you.

    Matt

    Thanks Matt!

    I have no taste in doctors I guess Foot in Mouth

  • sonyk728
    sonyk728 Member Posts: 124
    #7
    TracyLynn72 said:

    Gosh!

    That has to be beyond aggravating!!  I'm sorry that you're having to deal with all of this.  Hopefully they have good communication and your files contain all of the information that #4 will need.  Be vocal and involved in all decisions.  I was stuck (so to speak) with an awful rads onc and it was miserable.  If I had been smart I would have demanded a switch.  Prayers will be said for you! 

    Thanks Tracy

    Found out my onc is leaving for TX. Smart man to get outta here before winter comes. Laughing

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #8
    sonyk728 said:

    Thanks Tracy

    Found out my onc is leaving for TX. Smart man to get outta here before winter comes. Laughing

    Texas

    If a doc wants to survive Obamacare, and if a patient wants to survive it, Texas is the place to be.

     

  • sonyk728
    sonyk728 Member Posts: 124
    #9
    denistd said:

    Texas

    If a doc wants to survive Obamacare, and if a patient wants to survive it, Texas is the place to be.

     

    well good for Dr. V.

    I spoke to him today. Having to re-arrange appointments and in between the care I'm getting in Fargo, ND and St. Paul, MN. Very distressing. The last thing he said was "good luck". In one way I'm feeling like all I've known (keeps coming back, we'll deal with it) is going away, yet a tiny bit says maybe a new doc will take care of this crap. Wrestling with all of this. Trying to be positive but it is really bothering me. Really? There's an esteemed Cancer Clinic right here in Fargo. Why I don't I go to that? There's the world-renowned Mayo Clinic 5 hours away in Rochester, MN. But to me, I sort of feel like no one knows WTF is going on so does it matter who I'm seeing or where I go? I guess it's the comfort of getting to know someone so much during the past 2.5 years and then they go. PMS'ing on top of it. Crabby. Pissy outlook. Boo!

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #10
    sonyk728 said:

    well good for Dr. V.

    I spoke to him today. Having to re-arrange appointments and in between the care I'm getting in Fargo, ND and St. Paul, MN. Very distressing. The last thing he said was "good luck". In one way I'm feeling like all I've known (keeps coming back, we'll deal with it) is going away, yet a tiny bit says maybe a new doc will take care of this crap. Wrestling with all of this. Trying to be positive but it is really bothering me. Really? There's an esteemed Cancer Clinic right here in Fargo. Why I don't I go to that? There's the world-renowned Mayo Clinic 5 hours away in Rochester, MN. But to me, I sort of feel like no one knows WTF is going on so does it matter who I'm seeing or where I go? I guess it's the comfort of getting to know someone so much during the past 2.5 years and then they go. PMS'ing on top of it. Crabby. Pissy outlook. Boo!

    hey lady !

    Yes this is a crap shoot in our area.  I live in Central Mn. and the drives are long to find onc's experienced in different areas.  I know the frustration level can get beyond crazy !  But saying this girl, you are your best advocate !  Coborns in St. Cloud has just recently linked with the Mayo in Rochester.  This might be an option ?  You are on top of your conditions, and know your body....trust that the decissions you make will be the right ones !  It's good to hear from you, I was wondering how you were doing just recently !  If I can help in anyway let me know o.k. ?  Hugs sent !  Katie

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