Given ALL info.

[Steph N]

My experience is about the same as Sandy as far as being told how the treatment works, what the problems could be and phone numbers to call with ANY and ALL symptoms/questions.
In my case, I mostly joined trials and got an "informed consent" document that outlined in great detail all of the above, and even pointed out that death was possible, if very remote.
At every stage of treatment the infustion room nurses would ask me about 10 questions that they had to record my answers to. These mainly centered on how I was doing and any specific symptoms. If I had a different nurse the next time, that one would look back at the other notes and ask me how such-and-such was this time. I was followed very thoroughly. If there was any doubt, my nurse case-manager was called and she would come see me in person to check me out. Next step was a call to my med onc. A plan was put in place to help me out.
In today's Sue-me-sue-you world, the field of oncology seems to be particularly careful in the treament and followup of patients!
I am at a loss to explain how the woman in the post got to the point she is. Maybe she was treated at a county hospital someplace where the care is a little substandard?
Perhaps she was not in the best health in the beginning or did not get the proper nutrition and supplements to offset some of the side effects.

[Kitty]

I would have to agree in that I have been given everything there is to know on possible side effects of each chemo drug (or radiation) that I have had. I am amazed that I have been very fortunate and not experienced any of them. I know I am always questioned at each visit with the oncologist of any change I may experience. Of course, during new chemo, I am very closely monitored the first time out and again the nurses are good to ask/answer questions and concerns. We too have access to someone 24/7/365. Unfortunately, it seems like she has had an unusually rough time of it, and certainly needs to change her oncologist if she felt she had vital information withheld from her.
Kitty

[Sandy]

I can agree with everything that Steph and Kitty posted. They wrote it very well. The nurses are superior where I go. Even the few times I had to call in with questions they called me right back. My results of my follow up scans, blood work etc. always came to me by the next day. I too have to wonder how this happened to this poor woman. We should know more and perhaps, she needs to talk to someone and if this is a problem then someone needs to look into this. Sandy

[Lolly]

I feel badly for this person, as I feel I've been very well looked after by my "team". I also received phamplets for each chemo regimen. In addition, any time I have questions or concerns, I'm put right through to my onc's nurse, and she relays my questions to my onc and gets back to me promptly, or he calls me himself. I have even gone in to the office without an appointment and been seen, once when I came down with pneumonia on New Year's Eve, and the time when my port was failing I just walked in and said I was going to the back to be seen. No communication problems here, I think some centers are more progressive than others of course, and I feel very fortunate to live close to such a good one.