Topic: Is this normally for an oncologist's office?

Texas,

My first med onc (chemo) appt was probably 1 1/2 hours. I met the nurses, talked about whether or not to get a port, learned about the facility, and then met with the onc, who discussed the pros/cons of chemo, a clinical trial I qualified for, and the survival stats for me based on my age and dx. This was a first appt/consult with an onc that I did not choose to go with (but only because I live 20 miles from DanaFarber, and it seemed crazy to go local when I could be at such a well-respected cancer facility.)

My second med onc appt was at Dana Farber, and was much quicker, but that's because I already had the appt with the first onc. She confirmed that she concurred with my dx and treatment plan rx from the local facility, told me I would definitely lose my hair and gave me an rx for a wig, told me my ins would deny the nuelasta at first, and gave me the name/fax # to send the denial to in order to get it approved, and sent me out to reception to schedule my first chemo.

She did inform me that DF uses "dose dense AC/T" as there standard protocol, and didn't really ask my opinion or give me any options re drugs. I didn't ask anything about it either though.

I do have to "schedule" my own tests I guess, but meaning my onc orders the test, and then I get sent out to reception to book the date/time that works for me.

They gave me info, but I didn't have a detailed conversation about what side effects to expect from chemo until chemo day. I always saw my onc first, just before chemo. She was not big on talking about the SEs, but gave me Rxs for the most common ones to go home with.

Bottom line - I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling from my onc, she and I would never be friends. That being said, I have every confidence in her competence, and she willingly answers all my questions. You need to be comfortable, and it sounds like this office might not be the best match for you? Who else is on the team? I happen to really like my NP, she's just much more my type of person I guess. I never know which one of them I'm seeing until the exam room door opens, but I'm guessing I could probably request one or the other of them if I wanted to. If the office/location is convenient for you, maybe there is someone else you can work with?

Best of luck to you, but one thing, it's a long road, and you don't want to have the added stress of feeling like you don't have full confidence in your medical team. Take the time now to investigate other options, it might delay you by a few weeks, but it's definitely better than having regrets, or trying to switch mid-treatment.

It has varied for me. 

My port was inserted at the time of my mastectomy and I scheduled the mastectomy. When Ihave my port removed, I will schedule that appointment with the surgeon.

I scheduled my first CT/PET scan; all the others have been scheduled by the oncologist's office.

Between the two methods of scheduling, I prefer to schedule my own appointments as I know what else I have going on in my life.  If the appointment can't be made while I am present, I have had to have the oncologist's scheduled appointments changed twice.

My doctor told me which drugs she was going to use and handed me the information sheets.  My own research after the fact showed me that her drug choice was the drug treatment of choice for my type of cancer.

I wish I would have found the cancer center where I am before having any treatment at home. Everything in one building and they make all the appts., education on chemo, they get all your medical records for you and even fly you to and from the facility. They do all the tests, muga, pet, ct scans, labs, chemo, radiation etc. Medical Oncs and Radiation Oncs work together, surgery can be done there, they have a pharmacy, cafeteria with all natural organic foods, breakfast $2 lunch & dinner $4. Transportation. You name it. And the most wonderful thing......THEY CARE! Let me tell you, you feel it.

Back at home I was not comfortable at all. Lets face it, we are talking about our LIFE. I think being comfortable with your team is highly important. Please feel free to private message me if you like.

I agree with those who say if you're not comfortable, find someone else.

When my mammo revealed the tumor, the radiologist did the biopsy then and there.  She told me to 'go downstairs' to the Breast Cancer surgeon's office and book a consult - she was 90% sure it was cancer from the ultrasound.  Once I met with the breast surgeon, he told me all my options (based on the pathology, chemo wasn't optional but required) and his office set up my appts for my PET/CT, my breast MRI, my bone scan and set up consults with an oncologist and a radiation oncologist.  All within 2 days of each other, after checking into my availability.  During the consult, the oncologist gave me a full explanation of what was going on, gave me two treatment options (two different 'cocktails') telling me the pros and cons of each and recommending the most aggressive, but didn't push me into it.  She wouldn't even let me take notes - she wrote everything down for me.  I walked away feeling VERY comfortable and knowledgeable that first day.  Before my chemo started I had a pre-appt to talk with the oncology nurses (they call it 'chemo school') and got a tour of the infusion room.  The nurses, who work with the patients during their infusions, shared how people dealt with different side effects and all that.  Although i was certainly a little scared on my first day of chemo, it wasn't for lack of knowledge.

So, you can and should expect better, for sure.

Thanks to your responses, I decided to trust my gut and run. The good news, since I really liked the oncologist, is that he has four offices and one of his other offices is in the same building as my PS. I walked in there before my PS appointment yesterday, and it was NIGHT AND DAY difference. The staff was smiling, they answered my questions, and they really seemed to care.

I can't say that I'm ready for the next four months, but at least I feel more comfortable about it. Thank you so much!