Oncologists

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I'm no longer seeing the oncologist who I was seeing at the time of my blood clot, the pulmonary embolism- that almost killed me. I'm sure most of you know the story. The one who dismissed it and told me to take aspirins for the blood clots I'd been having. I didn't want to see her anymore because of her not taking that seriously and because she was the only medical expert who said that she didn't think it was from the chemo when everyone else did. I don't trust her anymore. And I wasn't thrilled with her to start with because she was wishy washy.

So I have a new one who I am going to see to get my results from the CT scan I had in December. I'd put it off in case it was bad news. I didn't want to have yet another Christmas and New Year ruined. So I'm looking up her number and see that she has some pretty poor reviews. 2.5 stars out of 5. My first onc got 4.5 out of 5. Comments were things like that she has no bedside manner and that she is negative about patients' prospects. That she seems scatterbrained and there were comments like how she was more concerned about her Mexico holiday the next day and what she was wearing, that ype of thing.

I've only met her once and it wasn't the most positive introduction. I was angry with the wait and got somewhat snarky with her nurse. It was also the time when my husband asked how long I have to live- could have kicked him- and she said 'mmm, maybe ten years'.

So now I'm wondering if I should ask for yet another oncologist. I'm planning to wait to see how the next visit goes and then see if that's what I want to do. I'm not sure that she really looked over my history because that's one of the main complaints from previous patients. Also, I was booked to see her and then the radiologist who did my targetted radiation last year. I can't have any more radiation on the spots in my lung. So why do I need to see her then sit there for an hour and go see him to get the exact same results? He can't do anything, anyway. They work in the same office.

I also chose to go on my former oncologist's review page and post my review. It annoyed me that everyone was so positive when I almost died because of her. I don't usually do things like that but it needed to be said. So many people blindly trust their doctors and they aren't infallable. My surgeon gets some lousy reviews but it's all because of his attitude. People find him arrogant. I like him. He's to the point and tells it like it is. He doesn't talk down to me and he gives me both sides of things. I much prefer someone who is confidence inspiring to someone who is all quiet and sweet but let me down in a huge way. If they want a wimpy oncologist, that's up to them. I want someone who gets the job done and does it right.

How common is it to keep trying new oncologists until you find someone you mesh with? This new one is supposed to be a chemo specialist. I'd like an option like ablation if the spots are growing. I don't want someone who's just going to stick to their chosen specialty. After what happened last time chemo scares the crap out of me. And, blood clot or no, oxyplatin is miserable. I DO NOT want to have that again.

Jan

 

 

Comments

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #2
    HI jan

              For some of my fellow survivors picking doctors and oncologists was more of a status symbol. Strangely they looked on the fight against cancer as an adventure. It is no adventure and when you reach the bottom line where your life is on the line you don't want a status symbol ,you want a competent professional, one who is prepared to discuss cases with his peers to achieve the best outcome and one who is willing to bring in other specialists if a situation arises that he or she is not competent to handle ,IE embolisms. It can be hard but this board is a good resource for finding oncs. We have all had one or two in our time. Ps Ask the ones who are still surviving like Philleg , his onc must be special. Hugs Ron.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #3
    Thanks Ron! I live in Alberta

    Thanks Ron! I live in Alberta, Canada and have limited options as far as oncs go. I can only use the pool of oncs that are in the city we live near.

    Hugs back atcha Ron!

    Jan

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    #4
    Ouch

         I know the feeling. The town where I live has only one onc and I could not stand the thought of driving eighty miles each way to see one in Brisbane. I had a good onc but I have since wondered about his choice of chemo drugs. Sometimes it is just a case of fate. Ron.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #5
    I hate that we have to put

    I hate that we have to put our lives in their hands and we don't know if they can be trusted with that responsibility. There are good and great people in every discipline as well as the ones who are not so great at something. Is our onc the one that barely passed med school? Or were they the rock star? Who knows? And do we get a black mark against our name if we do shop around a bit? I mentioned to this new one at the first appointment how I felt about my previous onc and that her lack of follow up had almost killed me. My husband often gets upset by my big mouth and thinks I should just keep things to myself. I disagree. I wanted her to know that I'm not some sheeplike patient that will blindly follow whatever she says. I've had a bad experience that could have ended up being the worst possible outcome and it damned well better not happen again.

    Jan

  • LauraCF
    LauraCF Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016 #6
    My experience with doctors is

    My experience with doctors is that most of them haven't learned a thing since they left medical school, and they've forgotten most of what they learned there. I question everything.

    On the other hand, when it comes to the BC Cancer Agency doctors on my partner's case, we're been reasonably impressed. There was the fact that someone missed the secondary tumour at the initial time of diagnosis, leading us to believe he had a very good chance of survival when he did not, but otherwise, we ask a ton of questions and don't just accept what we're told.  We research and discuss what wew've learned with our team.  In other words, we're part of the team.  It makes us feel far more confident about what comes next, since we've asked so many questions and received so many answers.

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
    edited January 2017 #7
    My onc is stiff, all business

    My onc is stiff, all business, and conservative, it makes for nice, short meetings. My surgeon is head of the department and looks the part, like right out of Hollywood casting. He was a little casual when the first mets showed up, waiting almost 4 months to get another scan, then 2 more to get operating, but his assistant says he's been extremely thorough during the surgeries. If the future forces me to pursue other treatments, I'll check around, but otherwise I'll play the cards I'm holding..........................................Dave

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