IL MO, KY IN -Need recommendation for Oncologist

taxitreesdeb

Marion, IL Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 20

taxitreesdeb wrote:

Hi:

 I moved to Marion, IL  a year ago after completing my year's battle against IBC (chemo, mastectomy, chemo and rads) and started working with an oncologist in Marion, Dr. Cuartas.  He seems very competent and nice but I cannot say the same about his staff.  It was pure misery and took several months for them to be able to get my records from Mississippi doctors.  I ended up having to write letters myself and call to ask them to repeatedly resend the information.  The office staff could not seem to understand the principle of changing one's name after marriage,despite being told over and over.

Fast forward to Feb 2 of this year.  I had a CT scan.  I called a couple of days later to see what the results were.  They had not been received and I didn't call back, assuming (you know what that means) that they would call me if it was a problem.  I went to see Dr. Cuartas on Monday of last week.  When he looked at the records, he didn't find the report.  The staff had not bothered to file it.  When he finally found it, he told me there was a lesion on my thyroid.  I had a ultrasound on Friday and the lesion is still there.

I do not feel comfortable dealing with his office anymore.  I would like to find a new oncologist.  I understand that there are good doctors in Padacah, KY and Cape Girardeau or even Evansville, IN. St. Louis is a bit farther than I want to drive.   I would love a recommendation or review from those areas, if you would be so kind.

Thank you so much!

Debbie 

Cydz

Ladies, is anyone from the St. Louis area? My sister, like me, has tested positve for the BRCA1 mutation and is considering a prophylactic double mastectomy. The Dr. she is considering is Dr. Cara Hahs, this is the surgeon. The plastic surgeons she is considering are Dr. Nathan, Dr. Macklin or Dr. Cabbabe. Any info on any of these doctors would be greatly appreciated!! Since I am now a stage 4, my gut says she should do what she can to avoid my situation as much as possible. Of course, we all know that a double mastectomy doesn't guarantee she won't get it anyway, but the percentages go from 87% to like 1 or 2%. Big difference. On the other hand, I am three years out from a double mastectomey with reconstruction and am still not 100% comfortable in my body and I still ended up with a recurrance.  Thanks in advance for your help.

taxitreesdeb

I only got one response from my request.  I hope you find someone who can help you.  I don't think this is a good place to get recommendations at least for the area around Southern IL. 

I know nothing about St. Louis--good luck!

debbie

lostinmo

Cydz- I'm being treated at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. Dr. Pluard.  I really like him and all the staff I've met at the center, but they are the only ones I've met.  Not really from the area was sent up there.  So unfortunately I can't tell you about anyone else.

Debbie- did you find some place to go? 

taxitreesdeb

No, but they have a cancer center in Padacah, KY (I can't even spell the name right) and I'm going to ask my family doctor about them.  I have a friend from there and she may know someone as well. 

Thank you so much for caring!

Cydz

Does anyone know anything about the following two surgical oncologists in St. Louis?

Dr. Marlys Eileen Shuh

Dr. Cara Hahs

Trying to help my sister do a bit of research, thanks!