My whine for the day

I got one of those letters from my insurance company right in the middle of chemo that I was going to have to get a new gyn-oncologist because the group he was with couldn't come to terms for a new contract with them. Nothing up to that point (the diagnosis, the surgery, the treatment) had made me cry, but that did. I feel so safe with this oncologist; he's amazing so I really get just how this really hits below the belt for you. To have it happen repeatedly is just too much.

There's really nothing that I can suggest as a solution for you as I think we are all vulnerable to losing our doctors, especially in the less metropolitan towns where they aren't thick on the ground to start with. Tampa's a much bigger metropolitan area, so hopefully you'll be able to find someone great there. It suck's but you gotta keep doing what you have to do, I guess. I'm so sorry.

What a familiar and agoniIng problem ! I am likewise  nervous bout my oncologist as well as my insurance .blue cross decided not to contract with the hospitali use and have allmy docs in that group. Apparently they are trying to negotiate.ugg!! Also, my oncologist is going to have a different office, but I’ve been told he will still be my doc. Let’s hope my stupidHMOagrees!

since I got on this rollercoaster, 5 years ago I have lost 2 of my favorite doctors.  My Gyno/oncologist/surgeon left his practice to take over as Chief Medical Officer of his hospital.  I think I was the last ptient he saW.  I now see one of gyno/oncologisn’t that he hired Every six month. I lost my radiation oncologist at Christmas to spend more time with his kids.  If my oncologist leaves, 8 am moving with him.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

I had a family doctor once who had wanted to be an organist, but his parents wanted him to be a physician.  Once his kids got out of school, he deided to stop being a physician and move away because he felt like he was missing diagnoses.  He was.  He missed diagnosing my cancer.  He had trouble finding my cervix when he was doing my pap smear the last year he was in practice.  I wonder if it was because of all the cancer that was pushing things out of place in my belly. His nurse called me and told me that the pathology report did show cells sampled were from the cervix.

I've had to use Restasis for a number of years now.  I wonder if chemo caused my dry eyes.  I had Carboplatin and Taxol, not Taxotere.  I use Restasis and still have dry eyes. My eye doctor told me to add Systane Balance to my eyes when the Restasis alone doesn't do the trick.  The Restasis is definitely really expensive.  At my last refill, the cost of a package of it before insurance was $536.31. I'm in the donut hole now, so I hate to think what my next refill will cost. 

Don;t even get me started about our healthcare system!  I'm so sorry you have lost physicians, Eldi.  As long as we stay well, it's not so important, but doggone it, when we get sick, we don't want to have to deal with all of the beauracracy!  Hope you find a solution.  I have found in my aging condition, that these "youngsters" have what I feel is an entirely different goal than Marcus Welby did.  They change jobs frequently and with all of the various contracts in our 'system' and lack of reimbursement in spite of high premiums, well, I don't even know what to say.  I'm planning to stay away from them all!!!  And really?  When was the last time you all actually had a physician touch you?  I'm not talking about the pelvic exams, but my pcp just looks at my vitals, lab work,  listens to my heart and lungs and sends me on my way.  My visits to my breast oncologist are only a social visit.  I'm happy about having nothing currently concerning, but geez!!  It just isn't how it used to be.

Suzanne