Hi AlaskaAngel, I do know for sure I am switching oncologist. I don't feel like this guy has really ever listened to me. I get fed up with every time I go in and look terrible...face swollen, fat above eyelids hanging over eyelashes...and he will say I look normal to him. I tell him I can't breath and he doesn't believe it. I saw him 3 days in a row with complains of not being able to breath...and it takes the 4th day till I and turning blue in the face and have to be rushed to emergency to find out "Gee...she really can't breath."
He makes me feel like since I am a Stage IIIA with highly aggressive cancer...that I am a lost cause so who cares what happens to me. Like my outcome isn't any good...so he doesn't care. And we all know there are lots of stage III people doing well...so I don't appreciate the feelings I get from him. He doesn't believe a word I said. So I am changing doctors...I have no choice. I wish I would of never went to him to begin with. They pushed him on me...and I even asked them at the time why do I have to have the NEW guy that only became a full fledge oncologist since 2004. When dealing with something as serious as cancer...I want someone with experience. Who knows how far this has set me back or if I can even continue now?
As far as where I live...I am in CA area...but I am pretty much stuck in my HMO GROUP. I can't change. I HAVE to go to this one cancer center...thats all I can do unfortunetly. That is what is frustrating too....even if I switch oncologist...which I WILL. I will be getting one of his peers. And we all know they are buddy buddy. But I am still hoping the next one will know we are watching and they better be real careful. (That's if I can ever get my lung function back?) Thats my biggest concern now.