[hopeful27]

Is this a normal oncologist office?

by hopeful27 on Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:44 am

We have been seeing the same oncologist for 6 months. We didn't get a choice of whom my mom would go to, since she was diagnosed in the hospital. I understand mistakes happen, but in six months these have been some of our experiences at her oncologist's office:

• You wait 2 or more hours for every appointment and usually an hour just to start chemo
• They say they will call to answer medical questions, with a new time for your schedule, but they only call about 25% of the time they say they will
• Her Revlimid has been late three times because the office staff hasn't submitted the paperwork on time or has forgotten to fax it over (not because of the pharmacy or insurance staff's fault)
• Yesterday we waited an hour, were given an IV of fluids, and then they tell us "We are out of Velcade, come back tomorrow." and they never called to tell my mom if she should take her steroids today
• They have refused to give her Velcade treatment when her Revlimid is late and it's their fault. So we have gone over and sat for no reason.
• Our oncologist is rude and said stuff to my mom such as "You don't look like you are dying"

Is this normal? Ug, I am just frustrated. I understand you will wait at the doctor's office, but this is every single time. Also, is it normal for them not to get her medicine on time?

Any advice? Thanks.

[Blackbird]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Blackbird on Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:50 am

Time to find a new oncologist.

[Melanie]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Melanie on Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:50 pm

Oh most definitely find a new oncologist!! Preferably one that specializes in myeloma. You are under absolutely no obligation to stay with a particular doctor just because that was the one the hospital referred you to or that was a doctor you saw in the hospital. You are having a difficult enough time as it is, you most certainly do not need the added stress of having an uncaring and arrogant oncologist.

[Multibilly]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Multibilly on Wed Nov 19, 2014 1:27 pm

I agree with the other comments. If you let the folks on the forum know what city your are in, we can likely make some recommendations for other institutions to work with. It's extremely important to find a best-in-class hematologist that specializes in multiple myeloma when dealing with this disease.

[hopeful27]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by hopeful27 on Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:06 pm

We see a local oncologist and a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic (once every few months), which is an hour away, so it's not feasible to go there for weekly treatment. We are 40 minutes away from a branch of the Cleveland Clinic. If anyone can recommend a place in the Akron, OH area for a more local oncologist, it'd be really appreciated. Or do you think we should just go to the Cleveland Clinic branch for weekly treatment even, if it's a lot further of a drive?

Thanks.

[FingersCrossed]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by FingersCrossed on Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:59 pm

Wait times are, unfortunately, normal in just about every doctor's office, but 2 hours (and on more than one occasion) is inexcusable.

And the rudeness from the oncologist and the repeated mistakes with medicine? Uh, those are fireable offenses.

Well past time to find another oncologist.

[NStewart]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by NStewart on Wed Nov 19, 2014 5:52 pm

Have you asked them at the Cleveland Clinic if they can suggest an oncologist that you can see locally who they may have experience working with? If there isn't anyone locally who is willing to coordinate care with the specialist at Cleveland Clinic, then I would suggest driving the 40 min to the branch nearest you.

Occasionally my oncologist's office doesn't send the prescription for my Revlimid to the pharmacy in time. I have learned that if I haven't received a call from the pharmacy within 2 days prior to my next cycle I need to email the nurse to remind her to send the prescription. I don't let it go until it is late. By doing this I always have the prescription in time.

Don't put up with the nonsense that your local oncologist's office is putting your mother and you through. It is uncalled for. Find a new oncologist ASAP!!

Nancy in Phila

[torimooney]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by torimooney on Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:42 pm

This is totally not acceptable. Have you voiced your complaints to the office manager and to the doctor? Bring it to their attention, then make a scene next time it happens. It won't happen after that.

At my first chemo treatment, they had me waiting in the reception area for 20 minutes. When they took me, I very loudly voiced my dissatisfaction for all – including patients – to hear. Wait­ing for chemo never happened again because the girls at the reception desk were told NOT to keep me waiting and the chemo nurses knew I would go off.

Doctors and staff are not gods and need to be told the situation. I find other patients complain to each other and, of course, that never fixes the problem.

I later had it out with my oncologist for other issues I had with him personally. I set up an appointment time to discuss my dissatisfaction with him. I had all my complaints about him written down and went over each and every one of them for 35 minutes. He spent the next 10 minutes either defending himself or apologizing.

The very next time he ignored my needs after our meeting to make things right, I decided he was not the man for me and switched to one of his partners. It was like night and day. I've been treated at their facility for 2 1/2 years and I've never had another problem and I love my on­col­ogist.

I worked in medicine for 45 years and learned as a practitioner that the patient needs to come before anything else. I make my needs known right away. Don't hesitate to complain. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. The quiet patent gets ignored.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Eric Hofacket on Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:03 pm

I have frequently had some wait times, things can back up especially as the day goes on, but nothing like you have been dealing with. The rest of the problems, especially in combination, are inexcusable. Running out of Velcade? Not submitting Revlimid prescription renewal? That comment from the Oncologist is really out of line. I think you can certainly find a better office than what you have been dealing with without too much difficulty.

[Dano]

Re: Is this a normal oncologist office?

by Dano on Fri Nov 21, 2014 11:49 am

What you are experiencing is not only unacceptable but unprofessional as well. The one-hour drive to the Cleveland Clinic is a small sacrifice to make, but the benefits are worth the effort. I would state my complaints to the local oncologist and his office manager, and then run from that practice as fast as you can.

If you are waiting more than two hours for your appointments, or having them cancelled at the last minute, the one-hour drive seems like a reasonable trade off. You need and deserve the best possible treatment you can find. Myeloma is a rare and complicated disease and it needs the management of a skilled myeloma specialist.

I have a local oncologist who administers my chemo and Zometa, refills my prescriptions and does monthly CBC. However, my myeloma specialist, who is a two-hour drive away in Tampa, dictates my treatment plan and overall manages my care. When I have problems or concerns, the team at Moffitt is there for me. I never hesitate to make the effort to drive there because I have trust and confidence knowing I'm getting the best of care and a caring attitude from the staff.