HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Tom · 08-23-2006, 08:51 AM

Dear Chelee,

Take a deep breath, have a Hershey's dark chocolate bar, and gather your wits for a moment.

Even if I had an annoying WART, rather than BREAST CANCER, and you were receiving the quality of care that your onc has shown, I would be sitting in an attorney's office. I am not one to recommend litigation to someone, but this is ridiculous.

Find another oncologist that comes with favorable mention by other patients, or go to a cancer treatment center. You need to have, at the very least, the name of another oncologist to whom you can direct your medical records be sent.

Go to the hospital records department with proof of who you are, and kindly, and politely request copies of ALL of your treatment regarding your breast cancer. If they give you a hrad time, and demand to know who they are going to, give them the name of your NEW oncologist. But, tell them that YOU are the patient and have the right to receive copies of your records, even if they insist on charging you for the copying expense.

Find an attorney friend if you can, and ask or pay for him/her to send a simple written request to your oncologist's office for any and all of his/her records regarding your treatment.

Do not discuss ANY of this with anyone personally connected with your current onc. Let him'her get wind of it through the usual channels, or from the letter he/she receives from the attorney's office.

Get another Hershey's bar and sit back in your recliner with the phone next to you so you don't have to get up to answer the frantic calls you will be receiving from your current onc's office. Also have your clothes ready so that you can go for the IMMEDIATE oncology appointment that will be requested when they call you. Make sure you let the dog out and water the plants, as they may suddenly find time for an EXTENDED office visit when you go.

If you DO NOT GET the immediate attention of your current oncologist, then take your records and go to the NEW oncologist. Calmly tell them of your apparent abandonment by your previous onc, and tell them that you are SURE that you will be treated with greater respect this time.
Let us know how you make out.

08-23-2006, 08:51 AM	#6
Tom Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 290	Hammer Time Dear Chelee, Take a deep breath, have a Hershey's dark chocolate bar, and gather your wits for a moment. Even if I had an annoying WART, rather than BREAST CANCER, and you were receiving the quality of care that your onc has shown, I would be sitting in an attorney's office. I am not one to recommend litigation to someone, but this is ridiculous. Find another oncologist that comes with favorable mention by other patients, or go to a cancer treatment center. You need to have, at the very least, the name of another oncologist to whom you can direct your medical records be sent. Go to the hospital records department with proof of who you are, and kindly, and politely request copies of ALL of your treatment regarding your breast cancer. If they give you a hrad time, and demand to know who they are going to, give them the name of your NEW oncologist. But, tell them that YOU are the patient and have the right to receive copies of your records, even if they insist on charging you for the copying expense. Find an attorney friend if you can, and ask or pay for him/her to send a simple written request to your oncologist's office for any and all of his/her records regarding your treatment. Do not discuss ANY of this with anyone personally connected with your current onc. Let him'her get wind of it through the usual channels, or from the letter he/she receives from the attorney's office. Get another Hershey's bar and sit back in your recliner with the phone next to you so you don't have to get up to answer the frantic calls you will be receiving from your current onc's office. Also have your clothes ready so that you can go for the IMMEDIATE oncology appointment that will be requested when they call you. Make sure you let the dog out and water the plants, as they may suddenly find time for an EXTENDED office visit when you go. If you DO NOT GET the immediate attention of your current oncologist, then take your records and go to the NEW oncologist. Calmly tell them of your apparent abandonment by your previous onc, and tell them that you are SURE that you will be treated with greater respect this time. Let us know how you make out.