My oncologist went BANKRUPT!

Thank you for your support - and even though I'm definitely inconvenienced, I'm more worried about some of the people I've met there, in particular a lovely woman who was being treated for ovarian cancer which had spread - and also another women who has to get infusions three times a week for a liver and blood disorder (not cancer). These women, and other patients, can't skip any infusions at all - I wonder if they can just show up in the ER, bags of medicine in their hands?

Here's what I've learned through the grape-vine - my oncologist had serious financial problems due to infighting with an old partner. Way back in the good 'ol days of huge Medicaid reimbursements, they expanded their business to three sites - recruited a lot of other doctors - created their own group practice and hired an outside company to handle their billing. Then when Medicaid cut back on their reimbursements other insurance companies followed along. Then one partner sued the other - then the billing company sued for non-payment, etc etc........just bad business decisions - which I think were originally fueled by greed. The greedy doctor left my oncologist high and dry (my oncologist really is a lovely man - even though he's too quiet for my satisfaction)......and his business went downhill after that. I heard he had to file Chapter 11 just to pay all the lawsuits. Mind you - none of these lawsuits were brought against him by a patient! Lesson learned - doctors should practice medicine - and leave the big business antics to financial people (but don't trust them..........look what happened to Wall Street! Every day I read about yet another crook who absconded with millions of dollars!)

So thanks again for all the reassurances - especially concerning the lifespan of Herceptin.......I feel calmer too after swimming. While swimming my laps, I remembered that there's a study out showing that 9 months of Herceptin is just as effective as 12 months.....so I'm not going to sweat about missing a week. I'll call the nurse again tomorrow - maybe she can give me the other women's phone numbers so we can stay in touch. I'll miss them!

Some good news! I was able to get my herceptin tx today! The nurse said the doctor was there today because of a meeting at 2:30 with the new medical group they're joining......so I decided to leave work early and get the infusion while I could. After talking to my nurse (who is an angel, did I already say that?) then speaking to the oncologist - they both reassured me that the practice wasn't moving and that he'd have more time now to spend on his patients now that all the legal problems are over. Also it helped that I heard other patients say they were staying.......so I told them I'd stay with them. It so much closer to my house - and I am just not in the mood to have to transfer my records and meet yet again another doctor and nursing staff. So pray that his office stays open until the end of April at least when I'll be finished my Herceptin!