[kullybunnny1]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by kullybunnny1 on Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:56 pm

Everyone has bad days.

I think of this each time I deal with my treatments. I also think "treat others as you would expect to be treated". I have had great experiences with both my local oncologist and my specialist, who's a two hour drive away. However, everyone has bad days, which is not unexpected when dealing with cancer.

Express your concerns to your oncologist and office manager and ask if a two hour wait is a bad day result. If this, and lack of Velcade and Revlimid scripts renewal, are also just a bad day, continue to receive treatments there with one foot out the door. I would hope that, with concerns expressed, they'll understand that they are on notice.

I have "bad days", and my medical professionals understand. My medical professionals have had bad days, and I understand. If your medical professionals have no interest in changing their ways, change yours and seek another oncologist!

Hope this helped.

Kully

[darnold]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by darnold on Sat Nov 22, 2014 5:10 pm

What you have been experiencing is unacceptable and unprofessional. I agree with Kully that everyone and every doctor's office can have a bad day. However, the treatment your mother has been experiencing is not a bad day; it is a badly run office. There is no excuse for running out of Velcade. They know your mother is coming and have to order it.

I know that my oncologist is routinely 45 minutes late, but that is because he is taking his time with the patient before me and will give me the time he and I need, so I don't mind. I rarely wait long when I am getting bloodwork or a treatment, however, and they always let me know if they are backed up when I arrive.

I had a similar experience with a cardiologist's office. They were rude, late, and never gave me my test results. I refused to pay their bill for months until I got my test results. I will never ever go back to that office.

Definitely find another office.

Dana A

[tscshale]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by tscshale on Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:13 pm

Aloha Hopeful,

There is no reason for you to accept such unprofessional behavior from your doc. It is definitely time to move on.

Advice that my general practitioner gave me has suited me well in living with my myeloma. She told me to look at my cancer treatment as a part time job. It is something that will some­times be unpleasant, usually be a chore, but something that has to be done.

You are dealing with a serious illness here that will require you to see an oncologist for the rest of your life. If you have to travel an hour to find an oncologist you like, you will have to decide what is more important. For me, knowing that I will be at this job forever makes a good oncologist and treatment center very important.

One thing I would like to address here is most people's acceptance of a long wait as being normal. While I fully understand where this acceptance comes from (lots of experience), this makes no sense.

We as patients need to make a stand against this common practice so that it can change. A long wait at an emergency room can be understood, but a regular one hour wait for your SCHEDULED appointment at an oncologists office is a sign of poor planning and / or time management. Occasionally a doc will say that their clinic management dictates patient frequency, but that is just passing the buck. If that happens, ask to speak with whomever decided upon this policy.

Of course there will be times when we have to wait. Emergencies happen, staff get sick, etc. It's when this becomes the norm and not the exception that the medical providers we are paying need to be told to shape up or that we are going to find somebody who will!

Good luck with your treatment.

[cindylouise]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by cindylouise on Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:27 pm

We drive one and half hours to see a myeloma specialist. There is a respectable oncologist here that we could probably see for treatment in conjunction with the specialist. But the what if's are too numerous to risk it. We do however have long appointments, but they go like this during treatment. We start with lab, see the doctor within about an hour, and then move on to the infusion center. So we are there for 2 to 3 hours, but its all a part of the process. My husband is often impatient, but its all a very normal course. During treatment, its important to have at least a portion of the labs back before treatment is started. Obviously all of this needs to be done on the same day since it is such a long drive, but its worth it.

[Steve]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Steve on Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:01 pm

Hi Hopeful,

I live in southwest Ohio and have had excellent service with my multiple myeloma specialist at The James Cancer Center at Ohio State in Columbus.

Regardless of where one resides in Ohio, The James isn't more than 2 hours away. You might want to check it out.

Best,
Steve

[Dr. Ken Shain]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Dr. Ken Shain on Sat Nov 29, 2014 11:19 am

Both the Cleveland Clinic and OSU are excellent institutes for your multiple myeloma specialist needs. It is always important to have a multiple myeloma specialist overseeing your care. You do not have to see them every time and can get therapy locally. It is just wise to ensure that your are getting the most reasonable treatment and monitoring of your side effects.

It also important to balance your needs with what is available to you in your area. I hope that your next experiences are much improved.