Oncologists

[marie3B]

Is it common for oncology practices to never have a human answer their patient's phone calls?  For over a year I have been a patient at Illinois Cancer Care, formerly known as OHACI, and have never one time had a phone call answered.  I am routed to a voice-mail.  They may or may not return the call.  I now just drive all the way out there and go up to the desk to get help.  I don't think I should have to do this, but it seems the only way to get them to help.  Is this just what health care is becoming, or is my center worse than the norm??  Marie

[silver&gold]

I know Im in a different country Marie but I think that is apalling , If I was to phone my oncologist and she was unavailable she would either call me back later or get one of her side kicks to call me back .

Angie

[bohan54]

There is no justification for this.  My gyn/onc actually gave me his own cell phone # and called me before my surgery to ask if I had any questions.  His receptionist answers on the first or second ring.  You do not deserve this type of treatment.  Are they the only game in town?
Sharon

[momofsandj]

I wouldn't put up with that unless they are the only game in town -- my gyn onc calls me back in the evening after paitent hours so we aren't rushed and my med onc does the same -- sometimes the gyn on doesn't get the message but I've always gotten him on the second try when that happens -- I don't have the patience for what you are going through -- I fire my doctors when they jerk me around
Go kick butt or change doctors
Jeanne

[turtledovemom]

I know that we always encourage posters to have a gyn/onc perform their surgery, but there is no reason for us to be treated poorly by anyone.  The bottom line is that we are consumers, and we can choose our caregivers, to a great extent.  Please do yourself a favor and seek another onc.  Sign the release form for your records to be transferred to the new doc.  They are YOUR records, so don't let anyone give you a hard time with the transfer.  Let us know if you need any help with this...stand your ground...good luck!
peace,
Anne

[kmccarthy]

I agree with the other posts, Marie. My gynecologic oncologist gave me and my husband his cell number and his receptionist always answers the desk phone. If she can't answer my question, someone else, like his P.A., will call back. For less timely questions, I send over an email.

Kelly

[marie3B]

My gyn/onc did my surgery, but referred me to the oncology group for treatment.  It is that group I have trouble with.  It is the only onc group in Peoria.  I already switched oncs within the group once, but will try again.  I prefer to stay local, but I guess I will travel if I have to.  Right now I feel I am fending for myself.  Thursday I see an internal med doc for the first visit.  He may help me choose an onc.  I thank you for taking the time to answer.  Marie

[manneca]

I was recently told when I said that I thought I'd  be talking to the doc, that "that's not the way we do it here." I'm doing follow up in a different city, in a national cancer center. My pcp gave me her cell. If your doc won't return your phone calls, go somewhere else. I know it's hard when you're sick, but you deserve better. And tell them why you're switching. Even if you have to go out of town, if they return your phone calls, then you are better off than being somewhere close where they won't talk to you. We pay too much for medical care to be treated like this.

[Teresa222]

You have a tough situation there with that ONC.  You don't really feel like they are responsive to your needs. If there is another one that you know is better...I would change. They don't know how to treat a patient there.
Teresa

[marie3B]

It is not only the phone call problem.  Onc also just doesn't seem to know much about my case. The first one was worse,but this one is not much better. I told her about being worried I was developing a partial bowel blockage. I explained I was taking all kinds of laxatives along with the colace 2 pills twice a day.  She responded by asking, "Are you taking the stool softener twice a day?" Duh!!! I just told her I was along with Senna, Dulcolax, and a strong laxative tea.  That was it.  Her only advice was take the stool softeners. She also has told me things I think are wrong.  I have a question in to Dr. Goodman to be sure.  It is frustrating.  I can accept it if the cancer kills me because nothing more can be done.  I cannot accept it if I die because my onc doesn't have time to deal with my case. Marie

[gah_70]

Marie, you and I have had the same problems with our Oncologists.  It's very easy for someone to say you should go somewhere else.  But I know all too well there is a convenience factor there.  There were times when I'd get up on chemo day, and it was all I could do to drive 10 minutes to his office, let alone a couple of hours.  But, I did know something had to be done, and I needed a physician who would take the time to review my case and get me on the right track.  That's why I chose to go to Houston.  I figured if I was going to get a second opinion, I might as well get the best.  Is it possible for you to see another doctor somewhere else, and have him/her dictate your treatment at your local Oncologist's office? I know from first hand experience some Oncologist's don't like that, but this is your life you're dealing with here, and your Oncoliogist's feelings don't count.  The only time you'd see your local doc would be for blood tests and check-ups, and treatment as neccessary.  My local doc is like yours in that he sees all kinds of cancer patients.  He doesn't specialize in my kind of cancer.  I feel much better following my doctor in Houston's orders, because I know he's taking my case seriously and working out the best treatment plan for me.  You might try looking around the area to see what you can find.  Like you said, maybe you can explore options with your Internal Med doctor this week.  If you find someone else, explain to your local doc why you chose to do that.  She should know her actions/attitude are not acceptable, and you aren't going to take her word as gospel.  

Gail  

[bohan54]

I cannot bear the fact that you are being treated this way and that I have no recommendations to give you.  I feel fortunate that I live close to a large metropolitan area (Detroit) and have insurance to cover my expenses.  You are one smart lady, I trust you will find a solution.
Love,
Sharon

[SimplyStar]

what I have found out with Leslee is to is have a whole list of doctors now,  she is going to a specilist in the field of each thing that happens to her now, with much better results than hoping the onocologist has the complete answers to her problems,   I can see where the complete care centers have the best results and answers to cancer,  she has been depending on the clinic to give her the treatments  for her cancer  and then they hand out pain pills for the rest.  if you have something crop up that is related to the chemo,  but is not cancer related, they don't know how to fix it.  the chemo breaks down the complete system and so many things then happen that are not cancer but are treatable by another method, so that is what she is doing now.

[marie3B]

I just came back from ovca support group. The one person in the group is the one that got me in as a patient with the internal med doc, even though he was not taking new patients.  I feel hopeful that he will help me sort through this onc thing.  Gail is right that even the thought of traveling long distance seems too much.  There are other oncs in the group I would trust.  I hope they allow me to switch AGAIN! I am going to make an appointment with the person that handles complaints out at the center and see what she suggests.  She helped my friend's mom switch when she had trouble. Money is a major concern when it comes to a second opinion somewhere distant like Mayos or MD Anderson. I am feeling ok now and want to get this resolved before anything new crops up.  I will say that having all of you sure makes me feel better.  You are all wonderful people.  Love to you all, Marie

[msjazz]

I do get a person who answers, then sends my mesage to a nurse. The nurse call and clarifies the problem, talks to the doctor,then returns my call with the answer. Hope you find someone Marie.  Donna

[Jan214]

Dear Marie,

I see my onc once a month and the rest of the time, I leave a msg (if they don't answer) with my chemo nurse's and they call me right back. If it is something my onc has to answer they go to him, find out whatever, and call me back.  I guess if I asked for Dr W to call me back he would, I just have never had the need for that since my chemo nurses seem to have everything under control.
I do understand the constraints of a one practice town and of you not wanting to travel. Just the idea of going more than 15 minutes away makes me nauseous.  If you can't get to a place like MD Anderson than maybe someplace closer like Springfield or Chicago.  That might only involve a couple of days and really either city is not an awful trip to make occasionally if you have someone to drive you.  Surely Chicago has oncologists in your field that could coordinate with your Dr at home.
I think meeting with this complaint person is a good idea.  I would find it hard to believe that you are the only one slipping through the cracks, so it must be a systemic problem and  I would think they would want to change that. You need to let her/him know how frightening it is to never get your calls returned and to feel like your oncologist doesn't even know who you are.   I would not put up with that. Having cancer is hard enough without getting 'tude from them or their office.  
Love,
Jan

[marie3B]

I am going to talk to the patient advocate at Illinois Cancer Care, after I have my appointment with the new internal med doc.  I hope I can switch to another onc here in the Peoria group.  It makes me lose all confindence when the onc tells me something I know for a fact is wrong. I was shocked that she told me that the estrogen receptor thing was only for breast cancer. There are estrogen driven ovarian cancers. Why does she not know?  Marie