2nd Chemo treatment

[pdp497]

I have now been waiting for an infusion scheduled to begin at 130 that's hasn't begun yet as of 330. That is after attending an appointment where I thought I would see my oncologist and instead only got the PA. Is this par for the course at major cancer centers? It feels like no one takes patients into consideration you are just shuffled from one appointment to the next and no one is interested in keeping to a schedule or doing anything in a timely fashion.

[susie0915]

I'm so sorry for the treatment you are receiving. I have always been seen by all my doctors for appointments. Oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist. Also, I don't every remember really waiting for an appointment let alone an infusion. Are they giving you the reason for your delay? Was it like that for the first infusion? I went to a major hospital (Henry Ford in Detroit) and the treatment, service, and coordination I received was wonderful. Hopefully the treatment you are receiving is an anomaly and not the norm. Good Luck.

Susie

[Lovenothate]

My moms onc is not at a major cancer center but they still go above and beyond. She sees the onc before every infusion and at every unplug and they are small but in talks with MDA and Moores Cancer Center. I think it's important to you to find a place that will treat you better, cancer is the only thing you should be focused on, not wait time or other small issues. Of course if it is available to you. Just a thought

[pdp497]

I'm at MD Anderson they just seem to have so much going on infusion wait times are out of control. My onc team is responsive as in the nurse and PA but I've had little face to face time with my doctor. It is just frustrating especially when there are no apologies. I recognize between scans a lot of times there is not much for onc to discuss butt it is frustrating when you expect the doc and only get the rest of the team.

[susie0915]

I am so sorry. I know that must be frustrating. Are the doctors responsive if you have questions via email? To wait two hours for an infusion to begin seems unacceptable. Not just to the patient, but the hospital also. I would think a great cancer center like MD Anderson would have the scheduling system running like a top. I'm surprised. Is there any way you can request to see the doctor at your appointments?
Good Luck. Try not to stress too much as that is not helpful, but I understand your frustration.

[mhf1986]

Yeah pretty much. We got PA first appointment and then oncologist after that. We were delayed 2 hours with first treatment last year because they "lost" us in the system and didn't know we were sitting in the waiting room after being downstairs to see the doctor first. And Tuesday we were delayed over 30 minutes because 3 techs called in sick. We also learned that they are switching nurses around so our long term nurse has been replaced by a newbie.

M

[susie0915]

Wow. Maybe I was just lucky at Henry Ford. I also go to University of Michigan to the Bowel Control Clinic, and have been very pleased with the doctors, response time, and wait times for appointments. Hopefully things will get better. I thought hospitals were really focusing on the issues of wait times, response times, and patient interaction.

[Tdubz]

I see my oncologist once a month but I see the PA at every appointment and infusion. I am always seen right away, but once in the infusion chair I usually wait 10 to 15 min for them to get my labs back and then for the pharmacist to get the meds ready, but never 2 hours.

Is it possible that they might be making adjustments to their schedule with the hurricane coming? Maybe seeing more people earlier than normal causing the delays?

[susie0915]

I didn't think of that maybe it does have to do with the hurricane. But I would think they would let the patients know that is why they are so backed up. It's stressful enough going in for infusions, but to have to wait two hours for it to even begin is ridiculous. My infusions lasted two hours, some patients have infusions that are much longer, that can make for a long day.

[Aqx99]

I'm sorry you are so frustrated. Honestly, it's one of the reasons I prefer not to go to a big name cancer center. The sheer volume of people they have coming through makes it hard for them to provide personal care.

I go to a local cancer center and feel I get top notch care. Every infusion I see my oncologist. And it's not a quick visit. She comes in and sits down to talk with me. I don't feel like she wants to run out the door because she has other patients to see. During radiation, once a week I met with my radiation oncologist. She would talk with me about various ways I could help myself fight the cancer and stay healthy during treatment. I also have a nurse navigator that goes above and beyond. When the shit hit the fan with my husband, she spoke with me at length on the phone and kept checking in with me, still does. She even went with me to my first Al-Anon meeting.

I am a firm believer that it takes a special type of person to work with cancer patients. I think my cancer center hit the jackpot with their staff.

[susie0915]

Anne,
That is wonderful care. That is how I have felt with all my doctors as well. I do go to a fairly big hospital in Detroit, but have felt their bed side manner, service, and attention to detail has been excellent. I have never felt like I didn't matter or was just a number. Hopefully what pdp497 experienced today isn't the norm, and things will get better the next treatment.