Need a good doctor in NYC and HER2 question.

SccS

My wife is not just diagnosed but is a stage 4 patient, the reason I'm posting here is that Stage 4 section of this forum is quiet, not many visiting it.

Can anyone recommend a medical oncologist in NYC that is compassionate, respectful and can look outside the box? Our current oncologist is harsh as if she was trying to scare cancer away by her tough attitude.

Another question is whether it's right practice to put a patient on Herceptin if an older test showed HER2 positive but newer 3 (from different hospital) showed HER2 negative? Her doctor didn't put her oh Herceptin but now when it's metastasized everywhere it shows HER2 positive again. Looks like she's always been HER2 positive. .. Should she had been put on Herceptin if only one out of 4 tests showed HER2 positive?

maryny16

Try Ruth Oratz at NYU or Anne Moore at Weill Cornell. Good luck!

SccS

mdnmmrl, thank you! Any other recommendations please, anyone?

rainnyc

Sccs, I'm with Mary Ellen Moynahan at Sloan Kettering. She is all the things you mention, but it took me a while to figure her out. Her manner can be abrupt, but I have found over the year and a half that I have been in treatment that she's very compassionate. She cares a great deal, and I was especially moved when she was obviously delighted at a good pathology report after my surgery. She is smart and thorough, and I have no trouble thinking that she thinks outside the box when warranted.

I'm Her2+, and she knows her stuff on that front.

Send me a PM if you want more details. Good luck to your wife.

Maya15

I highly recommend Dr Oratz at NYU. She's kind, compassionate, willing to adapt the treatment to your needs, and probably one of the best doctors I've ever had.

SccS

So far 2 votes for Dr Oratz which is encouraging. Thanks. Any other opinions on above mentioned or other doctors?

SccS

I received a call back from Dr. Ruth Oratz's office and they said she doesn't accept new patients. Most likely though, she doesn't want to deal with late stage cancers.....

Do you have other recommendations?

anotherNYCGirl

Are you able to get to Nassau County? https://www.northwell.edu/find-care/locations/mont...

SccS

anotherNYCG…, Trying to avoid traveling that far...

SccS

I wonder if it's ok for a doctor not to take a patient??? Are they allowed to do that?

Dr. Ruth Oratz's staff called me and said that she does not take new patients. But then why they told me to fax all the reports? I told them there are almost 100 pages and that many cannot be faxed and asked for an email. They said no. So I had to spend my time traveling there to deliver the paperwork, only to find out few days later that she won't take her. They recomnended us to see another oncologist in NYU who has zero reviews and I didn't schedule that appointment.

Does Dr. Ruth Oratz know that she will not be able to help a stage 4 patient and turned her down? I mean thus system is insane!

gracie22

The short answer is yes, they can do that. You can google around to see the law on it, but basically, in a non emergency situation, a practitioner working in a private hospital or practice can elect not to take a patient on. It does suck, and will require you to call around to find someone reputable who will treat. I went through a similar thing last month seeking a surgery for mom who is elderly with a couple of serious issues. To shortcut the process, I got several packets of her scans and written reports and sent them out to possible surgeons after calling ahead to request a review until I found one willing to take her case. Two said no, one agreed to treat. It is difficult, but it is the system we have at this point.

Maya15

This is really hard, especially when you're already dealing with a harsh oncologist and a stage 4 diagnosis. Dr Oratz does treat stage 4 patients, but I do know she is overwhelmed with patients and that might be why she is turning people down (or more likely, her staff are doing the turning down).I will ask when I'm there next week. If you want me to ask about the other oncologist you were referred to, let me know. All the doctors and nurses I've had at NYU have been outstanding.

shorty123

i am currently with dr axlerod nyu langone. she is amazing!

SccS

Maya15, please ask her about that! I'd appreciate that. The doctor she refered us to was Dr. Yelena Novik. She has zero reviews. .. We can't go to a random doctor now. Need good recommendation by patients only.

It's very helpful when more than one patient recommends the same doctor - that's cross referencing kind of thing....

Maya15

I've heard good things (from patients) about both dr Axelrod and Dr Novik, but I will ask specifically when I go next week (on dec 8).

SccS

Shorty123, isn't Dr Deborah Axelrod a surgeon? We're looking for a medical oncologist.

Maya15

Sccs, I haven't been able to ask about the medical oncologists at NYU because I was sick and didn't go last week. I will be going again at the end of the month.

SccS

Maya15, don't worry, thanks. Whenever you can. Feel better!