onc change

Jorf

So, I'm really appreciative of my onc. She was just what I needed when I was going through treatment 3 years ago and all was good. I had some relationship challenges in the year following and she was really supportive. Now, for various reasons I'm strongly considering changing oncs. The original one is hard to get in touch with, involves my taking off time from work in order to see, is a bigger financial burden (with the new insurance that my employer has now that essentially requires employees to see providers associated with the hospital by which we are employed...) and, frankly, is too associated with difficult times. I've had a tough "cancerversary" this year and part of my desire to change is that I just want to separate a bit further from that time - it's sort of another one of those move-on times.

So, what do I do? I'm thinking that I want to write her (the original onc) a letter explaining the above - thanks, too difficult and expensive to see her, need to move on. I still feel kind of bad about it though. I know I shouldn't. I know it's no big deal. I know that it would be a while before she noticed I wasn't there. (She sees my name at least a few times a year as we share a couple of patients.) I want to thank her and explain my leaving. It's stupid, I know. I don't think I've ever gotten such a letter from a patient but I think it would have made me feel good if I'd gotten one.

Similar experiences? Thoughts?

Thanks.

dlb823

Jorf ~ It sounds like you have well thought out reasons to change -- reasons that your current onc would surely recognize and appreciate.  Do you have a new onc in mind?  I'm sure you'll want to interview whomever fits your new criteria, just to be sure you can find someone you like as well as your current onc.

I also think I'd tread lightly with the letter and reasons for change -- maybe just a short note about your current insurance situation -- but definitely leave the door open, in case you're not happy with the new onc and want to switch back.

I actually wrote a letter to my original BS, thanking her for what she did (my lumpectomy), and explaining that I had decided to continue treatment at another facility.  Since I needed a mast., I wanted her to know that I wasn't leaving upset -- just that I would be getting the additional treatment at the large NCI-designated breast center where I'd gone for a second opinion.  It just felt right to thank her for her care to date and explain what I was doing.     Deanna 

ktym

Jorf, I agree with Deanna, I think your Onc would appreciate a letter, but I'd make it short and related to travel/insurance issues

Member_of_the_Club

I switched oncs but that was because original onc was an a-hole, so no letter from moi.  However, after the initial barrage of diagnosis and surgery I wrote my surgeon a note because I really appreciated the care with which he gave me care.  He seemed to really appreciate the letter.  Its a nice thing to do and surprising how rare that patients do it.

 Do not feel guilty.  We tend to get emotionally connected to our doctors, even the bad ones, which makes it seem like a break-up when we move on.  She's not your lover, she's just your doc.  Don't look back.