Julieanne

Ok, so I obtrained the follow-up imaging schedule from Dr. Sato's office, which includes follow-up MRI, CT and blood tests.  I passed along this information to my local oncologist's office.  My local oncologist ordered me a CT and bloodwork (which I had done today), but he is not wanting to do an MRI.  Brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma was exactly 1 year ago.  Should I push for an MRI?  If so, any suggestions on how or what to say/show my local oncologist to convince him that an MRI is standard follow-up post plaque?  Isn't this kind of like telling the melanoma guy that he's not doing a good job, or that he's not up-to-speed about (choroidal) melanoma?

Julieanne

Ok, so I obtrained the follow-up imaging schedule from Dr. Sato's office, which includes follow-up MRI, CT and blood tests.  I passed along this information to my local oncologist's office.  My local oncologist ordered me a CT and bloodwork (which I had done today), but he is not wanting to do an MRI.  Brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma was exactly 1 year ago.  Should I push for an MRI?  If so, any suggestions on how or what to say/show my local oncologist to convince him that an MRI is standard follow-up post plaque?  Isn't this kind of like telling the melanoma guy that he's not doing a good job, or that he's not up-to-speed about (choroidal) melanoma?

Julieanne

Ok, so I obtrained the follow-up imaging schedule from Dr. Sato's office, which includes follow-up MRI, CT and blood tests.  I passed along this information to my local oncologist's office.  My local oncologist ordered me a CT and bloodwork (which I had done today), but he is not wanting to do an MRI.  Brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma was exactly 1 year ago.  Should I push for an MRI?  If so, any suggestions on how or what to say/show my local oncologist to convince him that an MRI is standard follow-up post plaque?  Isn't this kind of like telling the melanoma guy that he's not doing a good job, or that he's not up-to-speed about (choroidal) melanoma?

Julieanne

WOW, this process is so incredibly frustrating and so incredibly slow.  I realize that this is only the beginning of a long and exhaustive journey. 

Long story short—-my local medical oncologist (as in Joe GP) still insists on CT and bloodwork only.  Those came back clear, but that's not good enough.  It's definitely time to switch oncologists.  I've never had to "fire" a doc before.  How do I go about getting an actual referral to Dr. Sato?  I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Can my PCP do a referral; or, can my ocular oncologist?  Or, do I have to get my Joe GP to do it?

I've communicated with Renee at Jeff (who is wonderful, if anyone else is wondering) and am currently completing the paperwork/accumulating records to forward to Sato's office for review.  But, if I can't find a Joe GP to follow Dr. Sato's recommendations, then . . . . ?

Julieanne

WOW, this process is so incredibly frustrating and so incredibly slow.  I realize that this is only the beginning of a long and exhaustive journey. 

Long story short—-my local medical oncologist (as in Joe GP) still insists on CT and bloodwork only.  Those came back clear, but that's not good enough.  It's definitely time to switch oncologists.  I've never had to "fire" a doc before.  How do I go about getting an actual referral to Dr. Sato?  I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Can my PCP do a referral; or, can my ocular oncologist?  Or, do I have to get my Joe GP to do it?

I've communicated with Renee at Jeff (who is wonderful, if anyone else is wondering) and am currently completing the paperwork/accumulating records to forward to Sato's office for review.  But, if I can't find a Joe GP to follow Dr. Sato's recommendations, then . . . . ?

Julieanne

WOW, this process is so incredibly frustrating and so incredibly slow.  I realize that this is only the beginning of a long and exhaustive journey. 

Long story short—-my local medical oncologist (as in Joe GP) still insists on CT and bloodwork only.  Those came back clear, but that's not good enough.  It's definitely time to switch oncologists.  I've never had to "fire" a doc before.  How do I go about getting an actual referral to Dr. Sato?  I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Can my PCP do a referral; or, can my ocular oncologist?  Or, do I have to get my Joe GP to do it?

I've communicated with Renee at Jeff (who is wonderful, if anyone else is wondering) and am currently completing the paperwork/accumulating records to forward to Sato's office for review.  But, if I can't find a Joe GP to follow Dr. Sato's recommendations, then . . . . ?

Julieanne

Anne Marie,

I had not considered looking to FB for OM groups, and just did, and found the document….THANK YOU!  I can tell that took a lot of work to compile, and I can already tell will be very helpful.

Julieanne

Anne Marie,

I had not considered looking to FB for OM groups, and just did, and found the document….THANK YOU!  I can tell that took a lot of work to compile, and I can already tell will be very helpful.

Julieanne

Anne Marie,

I had not considered looking to FB for OM groups, and just did, and found the document….THANK YOU!  I can tell that took a lot of work to compile, and I can already tell will be very helpful.

Julieanne

Great!  Thanks, Tom & Anne!

Great!  Thanks, Tom & Anne!

Great!  Thanks, Tom & Anne!