I currently have a solitary plasmacytoma in my T7 vertebrae. I completed my radiation treatment in December 2015. I am receiving a Zometa drip of 4 mg monthly. I last saw my doctor in March on my initial visit to establish my continuing treatment. I had two previous treatments in another state with another oncologist.
My question is how often should the doctor see me to discuss my status.
I have seen a PA from the practice who went over my blood work last month, and this month I was given a copy of my complete body x-ray, which showed no growth. I am scheduled to see the doctor during my August treatment.
I submitted a list of questions to the doctor regarding my concerns and it took two visits to get them answered.
Should I expect more of this doctor, or am I being over anxious? Since I am not in any real crisis, should I be more patient with him?
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TheQuill - Who do you know with myeloma?: No one
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov 16, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 68
Re: Should I expect more of my current doctor?
Perhaps I'm spoiled, but every institution I've dealt with since my smoldering multiple myeloma diagnosis has afforded me direct access to my doctors at each and every appointment (which usually lasts about 20 minutes with the doctor answering my latest rounds of questions and the two of us going over my latest lab results).
Having said that, it doesn't sound like you are in any immediate danger and perhaps these sorts of delays in getting your questions answered are perfectly fine under the circumstances. But there are definitely myeloma specialists out there who are more directly accessible.
If all of your numbers are stable, I would think that getting labs and being seen every 10-12 weeks or so would be about right under your circumstances. Others on the forum may have a different opinion.
Having said that, it doesn't sound like you are in any immediate danger and perhaps these sorts of delays in getting your questions answered are perfectly fine under the circumstances. But there are definitely myeloma specialists out there who are more directly accessible.
If all of your numbers are stable, I would think that getting labs and being seen every 10-12 weeks or so would be about right under your circumstances. Others on the forum may have a different opinion.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Should I expect more of my current doctor?
Just for clarification, what is a PA and what education do PAs have?
Would they be the same as nurse practitioners, which we have here in hospitals in Ontario? They have four-year university RN degrees plus an additional one or two years of additional study in university.
Would they be the same as nurse practitioners, which we have here in hospitals in Ontario? They have four-year university RN degrees plus an additional one or two years of additional study in university.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Should I expect more of my current doctor?
Hello Quill:
I do not know the answer to your question for sure. However, you should have by now have gotten a "complete" work up. You did not mention a bone marrow biopsy. Was one done? Also, I know that some places will use the whole body xray, but I think PET CT is the more current imaging method used. Having seen several doctors over the past couple of years, sometimes they have their daily issues which cause long waits, and maybe having to rush the patient through, but those should be, I hope, the exception, rather than the rule. If, six months in, you have not been given a thorough explanation of the exact status of your multiple myeloma, I would say that is an issue.
Good luck.
I do not know the answer to your question for sure. However, you should have by now have gotten a "complete" work up. You did not mention a bone marrow biopsy. Was one done? Also, I know that some places will use the whole body xray, but I think PET CT is the more current imaging method used. Having seen several doctors over the past couple of years, sometimes they have their daily issues which cause long waits, and maybe having to rush the patient through, but those should be, I hope, the exception, rather than the rule. If, six months in, you have not been given a thorough explanation of the exact status of your multiple myeloma, I would say that is an issue.
Good luck.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Should I expect more of my current doctor?
Thanks for the responses. I had a bone marrow biopsy in February 2016. It showed that the myeloma has not entered the marrow. The doctor's answer to my questions also stated that I have not progressed to multiple myeloma.
As to the PA, it is a physician assistant and they have received extensive medical training.
I will ask my doctor in August about receiving a PET/CT. I cannot get an MRI due to a pacemaker.
I will reevaluate my doctor at the August visit to see what his schedule of patient visits is. I will also inform him that I would like a quicker response to questions than two months.
As to the PA, it is a physician assistant and they have received extensive medical training.
I will ask my doctor in August about receiving a PET/CT. I cannot get an MRI due to a pacemaker.
I will reevaluate my doctor at the August visit to see what his schedule of patient visits is. I will also inform him that I would like a quicker response to questions than two months.
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TheQuill - Who do you know with myeloma?: No one
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov 16, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 68
5 posts
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