What's normal to expect from an oncologist?

I agree with the above comment. I would search for another Oncologist and get a second opinion.  At the end of the day, your husband's treatment is a matter of life and death, and you both need to be confident in your medical team.

If you have difficulty getting a second opinion - like myself, who has to travel 300 miles to my nearest Oncologist, then I would go into the next appointment with a little note book filled with questions and concerns that you want answered there and then.  I know that (sadly) Oncologists are busy, but at the end of the day, it is your dollar that is putting food on their plate, amongst other things. Make sure they take the time to answer you to your satisfaction. 

Thinking of you.

Tru

I switched oncologists and believe I benefited from it.  It may be an option.

[[My husband's oncologist and his staff are not very helpful about answering questions.]]

I would seriously concider gettign new oncologist then- Going htrough cancer is a terrible battle, and you NEED a competent commander to get you through it- not just one who takes care of the battle but keeps you in the dark and won't discuss htigns with you-

For instance, peopel can and do develope lifelong neuropathy i nthe feet and hands from chemo- if your doc isn't willing to listen to you- and you begin getting it- He will likely ignore your concerns and keep you on it without adjusting dose, and you wil lend up with peripheral neuropatyh unecessarily

You need a docto you can say to "My feet are beginning to tingle" and have that doctor take it seriously, and discuss with you changing doeses, or even meds if necessary, or give your body a little break, then resume safely if possible-

With cancer- we are in a figh for our lives, and deserve the best help available- when we have a flu or something, it's different, any old Doc will do- usually- but with cancer- this is serious busienss-

My onc's staff was a little bad abotu gettign back to me too- but they would, one nurse was really nice- and patient with all my questions- so i stuck with my onc- and even she, the onc, came around after awhile- and was more helpful- I had heard really good thigns abotu her, but her bedside manners left a little to be desired- at first- but she knew what she was doing, and did adjust doses when needed- and kept a close eye on my symptoms towards the end-

I dunno- Maybe say "Doc, I know you';re busy, but I'm busy too- busy fightign for my life- and I'm scared and nervous- and don't know what's happening-" Maybe that will help breal the ice so to speak= if not, I'd fidn another doc- I almsot did myself, but thigns did turn around (although the front desk is still very bad abotu returning calls- BUT they wil lcall me right away IF there is soemthign wrong with test results that is concerning- so that is the improtant thing)

Not just a second opinion but move on! My Husband is receiving Chemo and is on his second month. We interviewed three surgeons and consulted at least five. We learned that you want a specialist for surgery-not a general surgeon and a team of Oncolgists that specialize in  Colon Cancer as well. We chose Barnes/Siteman in St Louis. This is three hours from our home and we would have traveled cross country. They are available 24 hours a day via phone and we have used messaging to communicate at least 20 times. They quickly answer all of our questions and in the beginning we had many. They also explained that treatment plans are based on the pathology and diagnosis, so you want that to be correct. They have listened to all of our concerns and made dose ajustments and even skipped infusions to keep the side effect to a minimum while still achieving the dose goal needed for a suscessful treatment plan. They also are reseptive to any questions that have resulted from our own research of studies. For example, they wanted him to do 6 months but we disdussed the IDEA study with them (3months of Chemo vs. 6 months) and they actually pulled up the power point presentation for that study and went over it in depth with us. Don't settle, this is the most important decision that you will make. You want to know that you have done everything that you can to make sure that you have the best outcome. We know that we have no regrets and sleep well at night knowing we have a team of brilliant caring professional on our side and invested in a cure not just treatment. We are both available if you want to talk about anything. I know what you are going through bcause I am living it too.

Andrea