medscape article

[LuckyLinda]

Thank you, Vicki. I'm still waiting for the phone to ring and trying not to spend all of my time fixating on cancer. I do get a lot of inspiration from the wonderful, strong, ladies who post here. The "relationship" thing between the doctor's staff and the patient (there's a reason why the term "patient" is assigned) is a tricky one. I don't want to be identified as a pain in the ass. On the other hand, this is my life, my disease, and no one else is as affected by this as I am. It has now been 4 weeks since I finished TCH. I asked about a referral to radiology 4 weeks ago at my last TCH infusion and was told by the nurse practitioner that the oncologist would take care of that at my next appointment. I asked again last Wednesday and he told me that his secretary would schedule that appointment. I'm still waiting. It seems to me that if radiology had been contacted 4 weeks ago, they would not now be trying to "squeeze" me in. I knew I would require radiation. I had already met with the radiation oncologist back in February. My oncologist knew that I would require radiation. I know they deal with desperate patients on a daily basis, many in more critical situations than mine, but, again, I can only worry about my cancer. I apologize for whining. I will keep you informed when I finally have an appointment scheduled. Thank you for listening. ♥

[Becky]

Call back everyday - twice a day. In the morning and again in the afternoon. The greasy wheel does get oiled. Then also look into a consult elsewhere. Ask your current onc office for a copy of your chart - your full chart - now - today. A consult somewhere else will want that.

Usually radiation starts 4-8 weeks after chemo ends so you are still in a good window but they do have to "chart" your chest for radiation and that takes a week or so.

You can do this as you have already admitted that this does not affect anyone like it affects you and that is so true. Your feathers are a bit ruffled now so really ruffle them up now and call now for an appointment where you are at now. If you get no results, call in the afternoon and if no results, demand a copy of your chart to be picked up tomorrow morning. Look for another consult to make an appointment with now and make an appointment.

I was never a rock the boat person either until my onc (at the time) wouldn't give me Herceptin. I did the above and got another onc and got Herceptin. (Then my current onc called and said, "Becky, all you had to do was ask and I would have given you Herceptin". I told him I did a dozen times).

Go for it. We are here for you and cheering you on. This will be on your mind until you have an appointment.

[LuckyLinda]

Thank you for being a cheering squad, Becky. I called the radiologist's office directly this morning to see if the appointment had been scheduled. He did not see an appointment for me, but he promised to contact my oncologist's secretary and call me back today whether an appointment is scheduled or not. I have already had a consult with the radiation oncologist, so I'm not even a new patient. The sooner I start, the sooner I will be able to travel again and leave town for more than a quick overnight getaway. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and I will continue to be a squeaky wheel. I do really like my oncologist. I feel like it is the staff that is letting me down, not him. He did tell me that he would call his contacts at Johns Hopkins to see if there are any studies for which I would qualify. Thanks again for the push.