› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Hard road To A Second Opinion
- This topic has 24 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 9 months ago by
youngann.
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- July 26, 2016 at 11:04 pm
In the hopes of getting a second opinion, at 10am today, I called Dr Schuchter’s office in Valley Forge and, after explaining my situation, I was told that she didn’t have an available appointment at that office until the end of August. It was suggested that I contact the Phila office and have my initial consult there followed by treatment at the Valley Forge location…sounds good, right?
I was transferred to U of P where, after explaining my situation again, a man took my name, D.O.B., email address and zip code before transferring me to another extension. Yet again, I explained my situation and asked to make an appointment with Dr. Schuchter.
I was asked if I’d spoken to a Nurse Navigator and I explained that I hadn’t been made aware of anyone’s job title but that I’d spoken to two different people before being transferred to her. It was then pointed out that, in order to make an appointment, I must first have it cleared by a Nurse Navigator, who would then decide if Dr. Schuchter would see me or if my case would be handed off to an assocciate.
I was then transferred to a Nurse Navigator.
Of course, she wasn’t available so I had to leave a message explaining my situation yet again. After several hours, the Nurse Navigator returned my call and told me that she was in the GI department and, although she knew Dr Schuchter very well, she had nothing to do with the Melanoma department. In fact, the Melanoma department doesn’t even use Nurse Navigators. I relayed the previous events to her and, after first giving me another number to call, she changed her mind and said that she’d make the call herself as she wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.
A couple of hours later, a Practice Manager, called me and apologized profusely for the run-around that I’d been given. He listened to my story, took my information and said that he’d transfer me to a lady who would be happy to schedule an appointment for me. He asked me to hold while he filled her in on what had happened and, again offered very sincere apologies.
It was now 5:15pm and, after seven hours, I was finally feeling as if someone cared, so of course I broke down, started blubbering and had to hand the phone to my husband. The bottom line is that I now have an appointment with one of the top Melanoma specialists in the area on Thursday 7/28 at 9am – provided that Jefferson Hospital will get my records to them in time.
- Replies
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- July 26, 2016 at 11:08 pm
Yikes, what a day! I don't blame you for breaking down, I probably would have broken down much earlier! Glad you finally got your appointment. Hope all goes more smoothly from here for you.
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- July 26, 2016 at 11:08 pm
Yikes, what a day! I don't blame you for breaking down, I probably would have broken down much earlier! Glad you finally got your appointment. Hope all goes more smoothly from here for you.
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- July 26, 2016 at 11:08 pm
Yikes, what a day! I don't blame you for breaking down, I probably would have broken down much earlier! Glad you finally got your appointment. Hope all goes more smoothly from here for you.
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- July 27, 2016 at 12:38 am
Sounds like you need a hug and a glass of wine! It’s so hard to be your own advocate while navigating the process, but you’re doing a great job of it! Try and follow up with the medical records dept of Jefferson Hospital to really make sure all your info gets transfered (because, really, you can never advocate too much) Keep us updated on the second opinion! -
- July 27, 2016 at 12:38 am
Sounds like you need a hug and a glass of wine! It’s so hard to be your own advocate while navigating the process, but you’re doing a great job of it! Try and follow up with the medical records dept of Jefferson Hospital to really make sure all your info gets transfered (because, really, you can never advocate too much) Keep us updated on the second opinion! -
- July 27, 2016 at 12:38 am
Sounds like you need a hug and a glass of wine! It’s so hard to be your own advocate while navigating the process, but you’re doing a great job of it! Try and follow up with the medical records dept of Jefferson Hospital to really make sure all your info gets transfered (because, really, you can never advocate too much) Keep us updated on the second opinion! -
- July 27, 2016 at 2:37 am
Unfortunately this is another part of the road we're on…trying to see the best and finding a quick appointment. We don't have time stamps on us but as patients we certainly feel that we do. So I'm sorry that you had to go through a rough day. There's no shame in losing it; I often do this as it becomes overwhelming. And yes much like you; I often feel that few out there care. It's why I come to this forum, others who experience many of the same things & feelings. I pray all goes well for you Thursday and in general…be well.
Josh
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- July 27, 2016 at 2:37 am
Unfortunately this is another part of the road we're on…trying to see the best and finding a quick appointment. We don't have time stamps on us but as patients we certainly feel that we do. So I'm sorry that you had to go through a rough day. There's no shame in losing it; I often do this as it becomes overwhelming. And yes much like you; I often feel that few out there care. It's why I come to this forum, others who experience many of the same things & feelings. I pray all goes well for you Thursday and in general…be well.
Josh
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- July 27, 2016 at 2:37 am
Unfortunately this is another part of the road we're on…trying to see the best and finding a quick appointment. We don't have time stamps on us but as patients we certainly feel that we do. So I'm sorry that you had to go through a rough day. There's no shame in losing it; I often do this as it becomes overwhelming. And yes much like you; I often feel that few out there care. It's why I come to this forum, others who experience many of the same things & feelings. I pray all goes well for you Thursday and in general…be well.
Josh
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- July 27, 2016 at 3:12 am
Hi YoungAnn,
Just another idea regarding the medical records. I would not trust that they will make it in time. You have a right for your records (and don't forget to specifically ask for all scans too) to be provided at no cost to you. I would visit the medical records dept. at your hospital and not leave until you walk away with the files on disc. Bring them with you and don't leave it to chance.
Gary
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- July 27, 2016 at 3:12 am
Hi YoungAnn,
Just another idea regarding the medical records. I would not trust that they will make it in time. You have a right for your records (and don't forget to specifically ask for all scans too) to be provided at no cost to you. I would visit the medical records dept. at your hospital and not leave until you walk away with the files on disc. Bring them with you and don't leave it to chance.
Gary
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- July 27, 2016 at 3:12 am
Hi YoungAnn,
Just another idea regarding the medical records. I would not trust that they will make it in time. You have a right for your records (and don't forget to specifically ask for all scans too) to be provided at no cost to you. I would visit the medical records dept. at your hospital and not leave until you walk away with the files on disc. Bring them with you and don't leave it to chance.
Gary
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- July 27, 2016 at 11:28 am
I too went to Dr. Schucter for a second opinion and I am sorry to hear you had such an awful experience getting an appointment. Let me tell you though, you will be pleased with Dr. Schucter. She talked to me, examined me and LISTENED to me. I went to her for a 2nd opinion because I am Stage 3A and I do not qualify for clinical trial S1404 that Dr. Kirkwood is running in Pittsburgh at Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. I need 2 lymph nodes positive and only had 1 positive. Dr. Kirkwood recommended I go back to my medical onocologist and do interferon. I did not want to do interferon, nor did my medical oncologist want to give it to me. My medical oncologist recommended a 2nd opinion. I then drove 4 hours to see Dr. Schucter. Since I am Stage 3a and my initial melanoma was 1.3mm thickenss, mitosis rate of 0-1 and superficial spreading she recommended no treatment and asked me how I felt about that. I told her I understood what she was saying but I felt uncomfortable about no treatment. She then said she would see if my insurance would approve Yervoy at 3 ml rather than 10 ml. In less than a week, she got approval from my insurance company for the 3 ml and I have my first transfusion on August 2nd. I think you will be please with Dr. Schucter. Good luck to you and keep us updated.
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- July 27, 2016 at 11:28 am
I too went to Dr. Schucter for a second opinion and I am sorry to hear you had such an awful experience getting an appointment. Let me tell you though, you will be pleased with Dr. Schucter. She talked to me, examined me and LISTENED to me. I went to her for a 2nd opinion because I am Stage 3A and I do not qualify for clinical trial S1404 that Dr. Kirkwood is running in Pittsburgh at Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. I need 2 lymph nodes positive and only had 1 positive. Dr. Kirkwood recommended I go back to my medical onocologist and do interferon. I did not want to do interferon, nor did my medical oncologist want to give it to me. My medical oncologist recommended a 2nd opinion. I then drove 4 hours to see Dr. Schucter. Since I am Stage 3a and my initial melanoma was 1.3mm thickenss, mitosis rate of 0-1 and superficial spreading she recommended no treatment and asked me how I felt about that. I told her I understood what she was saying but I felt uncomfortable about no treatment. She then said she would see if my insurance would approve Yervoy at 3 ml rather than 10 ml. In less than a week, she got approval from my insurance company for the 3 ml and I have my first transfusion on August 2nd. I think you will be please with Dr. Schucter. Good luck to you and keep us updated.
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- July 27, 2016 at 11:28 am
I too went to Dr. Schucter for a second opinion and I am sorry to hear you had such an awful experience getting an appointment. Let me tell you though, you will be pleased with Dr. Schucter. She talked to me, examined me and LISTENED to me. I went to her for a 2nd opinion because I am Stage 3A and I do not qualify for clinical trial S1404 that Dr. Kirkwood is running in Pittsburgh at Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. I need 2 lymph nodes positive and only had 1 positive. Dr. Kirkwood recommended I go back to my medical onocologist and do interferon. I did not want to do interferon, nor did my medical oncologist want to give it to me. My medical oncologist recommended a 2nd opinion. I then drove 4 hours to see Dr. Schucter. Since I am Stage 3a and my initial melanoma was 1.3mm thickenss, mitosis rate of 0-1 and superficial spreading she recommended no treatment and asked me how I felt about that. I told her I understood what she was saying but I felt uncomfortable about no treatment. She then said she would see if my insurance would approve Yervoy at 3 ml rather than 10 ml. In less than a week, she got approval from my insurance company for the 3 ml and I have my first transfusion on August 2nd. I think you will be please with Dr. Schucter. Good luck to you and keep us updated.
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- July 28, 2016 at 6:43 pm
Sorry to hear about your experience. I'm a patient of Dr. Schuchter's and I think she's great. (She obviously doesn't schedule her own appts.) I was also a patient at Jefferson (prior to UPenn) and would strongly encourage you NOT to assume that they will send the records in time.
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- July 28, 2016 at 6:43 pm
Sorry to hear about your experience. I'm a patient of Dr. Schuchter's and I think she's great. (She obviously doesn't schedule her own appts.) I was also a patient at Jefferson (prior to UPenn) and would strongly encourage you NOT to assume that they will send the records in time.
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- July 28, 2016 at 6:43 pm
Sorry to hear about your experience. I'm a patient of Dr. Schuchter's and I think she's great. (She obviously doesn't schedule her own appts.) I was also a patient at Jefferson (prior to UPenn) and would strongly encourage you NOT to assume that they will send the records in time.
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- July 28, 2016 at 10:02 pm
I saw Dr. Schuchter this morning for my second opinion and I’m feeling in a much better frame of mind.
I was given the option of not doing any treatment – just watching and waiting but, if I didn’t do anything and it came back, I would forever regret my decision.
So if my insurance will cover it, the plan is to start a course of Ipi 3mg/kg around mid-August.
Thank you to all for your advice and support.
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- July 28, 2016 at 10:02 pm
I saw Dr. Schuchter this morning for my second opinion and I’m feeling in a much better frame of mind.
I was given the option of not doing any treatment – just watching and waiting but, if I didn’t do anything and it came back, I would forever regret my decision.
So if my insurance will cover it, the plan is to start a course of Ipi 3mg/kg around mid-August.
Thank you to all for your advice and support.
-
- July 28, 2016 at 10:02 pm
I saw Dr. Schuchter this morning for my second opinion and I’m feeling in a much better frame of mind.
I was given the option of not doing any treatment – just watching and waiting but, if I didn’t do anything and it came back, I would forever regret my decision.
So if my insurance will cover it, the plan is to start a course of Ipi 3mg/kg around mid-August.
Thank you to all for your advice and support.
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