Really annoyed with my RO!

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etnasgrl
etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
edited January 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

When they created my schedule for Rads, they asked me what times would work best for me. I told them, that anytime would be fine, so long as I was home by 4:00pm to pick up my son from school. I informed them that I live about 30 minutes away from the center, so would need to leave by 3:30, if scheduled in the afternoons.
They assured me that would be just fine.

Every week, on Wednesdays, I have a check-up appointment with my RO, right after my rads. Last Wednesday, was my first appointment with her. She came into the exam room one hour after my scheduled appointment and only because I left the exam room to find a nurse and explain that I have to leave soon, to pick up my son.
Today, was my second appointment with her. My rads were at 2:15 and my appointment with my RO was at 2:30. The techs actually got me back for rads early and I was done by 2:15, so I went straight over to the other side of the building for my appointment with the RO.
I knew I was early, so I didn't mind waiting in the exam room for a while. But, by 3:30, I had to leave. Without being seen by my RO. I told her nurse that I had to go because I needed to pick up my son. She said okay and that she would let the doctor know.

I understand that doctors run late, especially ones with a lot of patients....and she has A LOT of patients. This is MD Anderson, so they are constantly busy! However, of all my oncologists, she is the only one to keep me waiting like that. My surgical oncologist and my medical oncologist have always been prompt. The longest I wait for them is MAYBE 10 minutes, but never any longer than that.
I don't mind waiting....but for an hour each time? I'm sorry, but my time is just as valuable and I've let them know from the beginning that I need to be gone by a certain time to pick up my son. This isn't something I've sprung on them.
It just really annoys me! Now, I guess I have to wait until next Wednesday to see my RO, (thankfully I don't have any issues or concerns right now), I wonder how long I'll have to wait then?

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2016

    On my weekly appts with Rads Dr, I always saw him first then on to rads. Getting you appt with the Dr first might be an idea to try.

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited January 2016

    Probably your RO sees rads patients one, or maybe two, days per week. At my facility, at least two RO's were always available. Tomorrow morning, you might give your center a call and tell them your RO missed your appointment and that you insist that they give you a same day appointment (preferably before treatment) with either your RO or whomever is on call. There is absolutely no reason for you to wait for next week. if the receptionist cannot help you, please ask for your RO or her nurse.

    You might also ask about a schedule change. Apparently, your current schedule does not work for your RO. Radiation is stressful enough without your having to worry about whether you'll have time to ask all your questions. Next week, before your appointment, I'd ask the nurse to please be certain that an RO (yours or another) appears at the appointed time. When you see your RO, I'd also suggest a very frank inquiry as to whether she needs to see you at a different time.

    I'm looking at what I wrote and it does seem a bit, umm, assertive, but, really, you do need to get this straightened out now.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2016

    Brookside - What you wrote was "assertive" but there is nothing at all 'wrong' with that WHEN we are not being respected! All of my Drs know, I am never on a time schedule so if an emergency comes up that has to be handled - don't worry about me but let me know there is an issue and not just ignore me. I also make sure all the RNs/PAs know I'm 'fine' as long as I know I'm not just being ignored. (Twice with my detached retinas, I was an emergency and was worked in even though Dr H had a full schedule those days.).

    etnasgirl - We have to be our own best advocate! Do not tolerate for yourself what you would not tolerate for your child, your spouse or your parents. You can always go to the Nurse Navigator or Patient Affairs for help correcting the issues.

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited January 2016

    My RO totally made it up to me today.

    I got to the treatment center and the receptionist says, "You ran out on us yesterday!" I explained ehy and she said that she knew, she was just teasing. She told me that after my treatment, to go back and see the doctor. My RO made a special appointment for me today.
    So....after my treatment, I go back to see the RO and she's in the exam room waiting for me. (What a nice change!) She apologized and then took about half an hour with me, examining my breast, going over the after treatment care, and answering a few questions that I had.
    She was really great and I feel much better knowing that she took the time to make things right and I didn't have to wait until next week to see her!

    Happy

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