New Onc won't fill out forms
The clinic I go to had a change over of oncologists at the beginning of the year. Some retired, and the other was given a low ball contract, so he left. They finally hired a replacement oncologist. The first visit, I didn't really love him. He is not warm and fuzzy at all. So the second visit, he comes into the room and introduces himself, and says this is our first visit. I stated that we had met 2 weeks ago. Didn't even phase him. Then he says, I have reviewed your file. (clearly not, because he didn't even know we had met!) When he asks you about your symptoms, all you get to do is answer yes or no to a litany of questions, which are said in the same order, like he memorized a checklist. If you tell him a symptom that is not on his list, he says, why do you think that is? If he doesn't agree, he disregards your statement. He also told me I needed scans. Which is fine, but he scheduled them the last time I was in. Still not believing he reviewed my file.
I had to have him fill out my disability statement. He looked at it and really didn't want to fill it out. All he would write was breast cancer and the medication I was taking. There were a few checkboxes regarding physical limits and other levels of things. He checked the boxes I said I felt like and wrote "per patient" on them. I told him I had Chemo Brain still. He stated he couldn't agree or diagnose it. I would have to visit a neurologist and psychologist in order to have that diagnosed. He felt I should have no side effects on Femara. By that time, I was just done with him and said thank you (not meaning it) and took my paper back.
After he left the room, the nurse came in to give me the visit summary. I asked her if he was always an ass. She said, What did he do now? Mind you, this guy has only been the onc there for 6 weeks. She went to get the clinic manager. Apparently, if the nurses are in the room with the patient with him, they are not allowed to open their mouths at all, or they are told to be quiet. I was told there have been numerous complaints about his bedside manner. She went to talk to him about the form to see if he would change it, and he said no, he did not want to be legally responsible for anything on the paper.
I keep asking myself, can I see myself with this guy at the end? I think I already know the answer. I guess I am on the hunt for Onc #5.
Comments
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Oh yes indeed, move on and quickly as you can. These folks are essential to us - SU
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sorry for the bad experience. Sounds like you know what to do to take care of yourself. Good luck
Mary
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Obviously I would run in the opposite direction from this jerk. So sorry you were treated that way. Definitely go find a better one. Best wishes.
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Run, don't walk to your new MO!
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Ohmygosh, he sounds like a real ass! I am upset just reading about your interaction with him! As the others have said, run!!! Please don't waste another moment with him. He sounds dangerous for your health!
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Agreed, get a new onc & interview him on what you need. Look at Vitals.com for review of doctors.
Terri
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Is this guy up near you in Skagit County? If so, would you be willing to go south for treatment to the Seattle area (say, UW, Virginia Mason, Swedish, the Hutch, etc.) to find an MO who understands breast cancer (especially Stage IV) and its effects? If this guy refuses to believe there’s such a phenomenon as chemo brain (and insists on, essentially, a diagnosis of dementia from a shrink or neuro), he shouldn’t be treating Stage IV patients--how dare he be so judgmental as to refuse to consider you disabled?
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As unfortunate as it is to be looking for yet another onc, and I'm sure you wish it was otherwise, it's in your best interest to do so. This doctor is marginalizing, trivializing the fact that you are dealing with stage iv breast cancer. Kind of reminds me of those types of gynecologists who act like you couldn't really be having that bad of menstrual cramps. In other words, not sympathetic to women and thinks they complain too much. Also, what a ....... (Insert derogatory term or your choice, mine would start with p and end with y) for not having the gahonies (balls) to take any legal responsibilities on the matter. He's more concerned about his ass than yours and clearly has no understanding of stage iv bc.
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Ditch the doc. And Stage 4 dx itself is fast tracked at SSDI and pretty much automatic I think.
You deserve better.
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