She is a hematologist oncologist. She is moving many states away and her last day at the hospital is this week. She will be doing telehealth and then flying back to town every. 3 months to see patients. She is probably overloaded with packing. children, selling and buying a new home, schools for her children. So patient care has probably slid down her list of priorities. There is another hematologist oncologist I want to switch to and will do so after my next telehealth visit with the current doctor. The factor worrying me most is her doubt in my condition. Trying to educate her seems a waste.
From my understanding smudge cells are due to low protein in the membrane that surrounds the lymphocyte. I can look at test results going back at least 5 years and it was not an issue until recent months.
I understand added medications such as the steroid and Rituxin will have an effect on many elements of our blood. The enlarged platelets are a concern because they can slow clotting which I noticed a few nights ago and also because I have already had a small stroke. I am facing possible major back surgery and no doctor in his right mind would do that if clotting is an issue.
Yes, I am a nervous Nellie and I was so spoiled by my previous oncologist who taught all over the US but he had the audacity to retire.
Doctors are human beings and have every day worries just like the rest of us. But a lack of understanding of a diagnosis and personal distraction don't inspire a sense of confidence. It doesn't feel right that I have to justify and explain my medical condition to my doctor.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I think you understand much better than most doctors .
I definitely understand the frustration and lack of confidence we can feel with our providers. I lost all faith in my PCP (since fired!) 5 years ago for being dismissive and failing to diagnosis my rapidly escalating blood cancer 3 weeks in row. We trust our doctors with our lives and when we don’t seem to get through to them or they are less than willing to work together as a team, it leaves us feeling almost abandoned and helpless…where do we turn for answers when our own doctors aren’t focused on our health care.
I agree, Carol, your hematologist oncologist should have a firm grasp of your CLL and the potential for underlying issues to surface with a weakened immune system, such as your PG. You were used to the high level of professionalism of your previous oncologist! We have some doctors who set the bar very high and then it’s difficult accepting anything less than that going forward! Believe me, I know! I’ve been spoiled rotten with exemplary care from my team at Mayo where they make things happen with the snap of a finger. Contrary to this week where it’s been a struggle getting antibitoics with my local provider for an infection on my foot stemming from a mole biopsy! They don’t understand the urgency brought on by my immune compromised situation, having to continually explain my back ground with a bone marrow transplant and the need to jump on this infection STAT goes in deaf ears! Arghhh.
LOL sorry, I digressed…you can sense my frustration bubbling under the surface this morning.
I didn’t realize you were facing an upcoming major surgery so I hope this new doctor you’ll be seeing will be more willing to work with you to define your diagnosis and go that extra mile in finding sustainable treatment options.
A good doctor will do that. My PCP is obviously no longer on my care team but my local oncology team and every one on my BMT team at Mayo…wow, their care is exemplary and we do work together as a team. It’s refreshing to know there are still practitioners who do their best to make sure their patients live long and healthy lives.
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I found this article of interest as it seems that almost everyone with cll has smudge cells. Aren't we lucky?
https://www.healthline.com/health/cll/lymphocytosis-with-smudge-cells#cancer-causesI definitely understand the frustration and lack of confidence we can feel with our providers. I lost all faith in my PCP (since fired!) 5 years ago for being dismissive and failing to diagnosis my rapidly escalating blood cancer 3 weeks in row. We trust our doctors with our lives and when we don’t seem to get through to them or they are less than willing to work together as a team, it leaves us feeling almost abandoned and helpless…where do we turn for answers when our own doctors aren’t focused on our health care.
I agree, Carol, your hematologist oncologist should have a firm grasp of your CLL and the potential for underlying issues to surface with a weakened immune system, such as your PG. You were used to the high level of professionalism of your previous oncologist! We have some doctors who set the bar very high and then it’s difficult accepting anything less than that going forward! Believe me, I know! I’ve been spoiled rotten with exemplary care from my team at Mayo where they make things happen with the snap of a finger. Contrary to this week where it’s been a struggle getting antibitoics with my local provider for an infection on my foot stemming from a mole biopsy! They don’t understand the urgency brought on by my immune compromised situation, having to continually explain my back ground with a bone marrow transplant and the need to jump on this infection STAT goes in deaf ears! Arghhh.
LOL sorry, I digressed…you can sense my frustration bubbling under the surface this morning.
I didn’t realize you were facing an upcoming major surgery so I hope this new doctor you’ll be seeing will be more willing to work with you to define your diagnosis and go that extra mile in finding sustainable treatment options.
A good doctor will do that. My PCP is obviously no longer on my care team but my local oncology team and every one on my BMT team at Mayo…wow, their care is exemplary and we do work together as a team. It’s refreshing to know there are still practitioners who do their best to make sure their patients live long and healthy lives.
I’m here if you need a sounding board! Happy 4th!