[Lani]

Chelee--the orthopaedic surgeon specializing in bone tumors (primary and mets) at UCLA is Jeffrey Eckhardt. Perhaps you could ask your HMO to refer you to UCLA rather than COH and ask Dr. Slamon if he or his NP could put in a call to Dr. Eckhardt's office asking them to see you prompty.

An orthopaedic opinion PROMPTLY, advising whether this needs fixing now(or perhaps even ever depending on your response to treatment), advising whether to continue Zometa (which has its effect over a MONTH after it is given if I understand it) and advising whether you should be on crutches or avoiding any other particular moves while you wait, would seem to be in order.

That way your orthopaedic and oncologic care could be coordinated. Even if you can't get your oncology care at UCLA, at Least Dr. Slamon would know
what your exact orthopaedic status is/how it might impact your oncologic care from someone he might often work with.

If this turns out not to be practical:

I looked up orthopaedics at COH because I had heard it was a small department--it is. There is only one member and here is his CV:

Dominic Femino, MD

Chief, Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery
Professional Experience

2007 - present, Associate Director, Musculoskeletal Tumor Program, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
2007 - present, Chief, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
2001 - 2007, Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
2000 - 2001, Visiting Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
1998, Co-Chairman, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, San Gabriel, CA
Education and Training

1999 - 2000, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Fellowship, Pediatric Orthopaedics
1998 - 1999, University of Washington Medical Center, Fellowship, Orthopaedic Oncology
1994 -1996, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery
1991 - 1994, University of Southern California, Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery
1991, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, M.D.
1987, Yale University, B.S.

He seems to work with Health Volunteers Overseas so perhaps you could call his office and hypothesizing that he really is a nice guy, see if he will move your appointment up (unless, of course, he is overseas)

Hope some of this helps