[azoyizes]

We traveled to Charlottesville, 2-1/2 hours each way, for five days. DH saw his oncologist here yesterday who said that the hospital that's five minutes from our house could have done the targeted radiation.

The oncologist and the radiologist oncologist could have at least given us the choice of having the targeted radiation either there at UV or here. In fact, the radiologist told both of us that their machine is cutting edge and that only a few hospitals in the US have one.

BS!

It's pretty bad when you can't trust cancer doctors.

[Dejibo]

Most MDs are taught to say/do whatever it takes to bring money and patients into THEIR hospital. it gains them favor with the chief and keeps their hospital afloat, and cancer treatments are incredibly expensive and bring nice revenue to their space. One would hope they would use that money to make better machines available, add more doctors, clean up the medical records, whatever would make treatments better, waiting times less, and comfort care higher level, but oh no! it all goes into the pockets of those with the long white coats. They keep outdated machines, keep a long line forming, and make you wait and wait. Then they go home with a fat raise.

I hope you expressed your dismay to your MD about how horrible that was to be forced to ride over 2 hours one way and 2 hours back home simply to use HIS machine, when keeping you local would have benefited you greatly.

Glad its over.

[azoyizes]

At our meeting with the oncologist and radiologist in October, believe me, neither one of us will be meekly sitting back listening to their babble. I told DH that I believe the reason they failed to give us a choice was totally because of the money.

I am fed up with these demi-gods, but must wait to see what DH decides because they are his doctors. I gave him my opinion then zipped my mouth closed until he makes up his mind what he wants to do.

Oh! His oncologist at UV also said that there aren't any more pill-forms of chemo that he can take. His oncologist here in Salem said that there are. Eeeeek!

[SallyC]

Sorry Mair..

[new2net98]

You have a right to be & they know it. It astounds me (having been in the field 24 years total-way back when) that this still occurs. Especially when it involves a cancer patient.

Seems like they need to be held to a higher standard...IMHO.

Sorry that you were both treated like that & unless he is completely stuck with this particular doctor for some reason; maybe it's time to find someone else with a lil better bedside manner. Being compassionate has never gone out of style.

[NurseNancy]

i'd be furious too.
i'd also write a letter to the ceo of the hospital. going to the top seems to work.
especially when a businessman know that 1 unhappy customer will tell at least 10 others which will hurt their business.

but thanks for letting us know what kind of Q's to ask when seeking treatments.