Heartland Ladies? Help for finding an oncologist

Options
taxitreesdeb
taxitreesdeb Member Posts: 24
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi:

 I moved to Marion, IL  a year ago 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 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • lostinmo
    lostinmo Member Posts: 922
    edited May 2012

    Debbie,  I saw your thread and wondered if you found an oncologist yet?  I can't answer about any of the above.  Cape is suppose to have a good cancer center but I can't speak from experience. I was diagnosed in Cape at a clinic but sent to St. Louis. If you haven't found any one yet, I can try to investigate Cape for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cydz
    Cydz Member Posts: 157
    edited May 2012
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories