Immunotherapy Scheduling

I'm tagging a few other members who have had immunotherapy at Mayo Clinic, like @jmp1514 @lls8000 @rosie100 @gaybinator @richcolleen and others. They can share their experiences of how infusion appointments were arranged for them.

@grammato3, do you use Mayo Clinic's patient portal (Patient Online Services) to see your upcoming appointments, communicate with your care team, see test results, etc? Are you a patient at Mayo Clinic Arizona?

We had our next appointment before leaving the current appointment. With that said, around the holidays it was a bit different
as they tried to fit 5 or 6 days of patients in 3 or 4.

Yes, thank you, I have and do use that the portal but there haven't been any appointment updates. I inquired once already through there so I suppose I'll have to just sit tight. It would be helpful, though, to at least know for sure the day of the week I'm scheduled so I can plan other appointments/activities around the infusion. I hope in time I'll get more into the routine.

That's what I was expecting. I was surprised when I called scheduling earlier this week, the contact person said there were no orders for my next infusion. So that appears to be what I'm waiting for. Unusual - Mayo is generally so on top of things,

Be persistent in medical matters. YOU need to be the best advocate for your BEST health outcome! You should be able to contact your Dr and his/her team on the portal by leaving a message regarding “Missing Order” and asking for a prompt response!
It sounds like someone did not follow-through in their responsibilities. When you see the order I would review it to verify that it mimics what your Dr told you! I have found errors in my orders and had them corrected prior to procedure. YOU should be the Drs priority! Be strong!

Keep checking on this via calls and portal. There is a problem if you don't have orders for the next infusion. You will certainly connect with the right person to remedy this if you are persistent. Over 12 years at Mayo Rochester we have had a few errors happen, usually due to a staff member misunderstanding or forgetting something. the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Totally agree! As a former nurse (retired) I learned the importance of reviewing my medical records for accuracy. I've come across those that have reported me as being a smoker (I am not), identifying the wrong hip as having been fractured, stating I did not have Epstein Barr when in fact both titers were positive, adding 20 lbs to my weight, etc.

In this case, being new to Mayo and the process I wasn't clear on the procedure but it turned out persistence did pay off -I got a call yesterday scheduling my labs, appointments and infusions through February so I'm all set.

Yes, I can see how with their volume - especially in December with people getting procedures in before year's end with insurance deductibles, vacations, and staff being overwhelmed how these things can happen.

@dbamos1945 So very true. My oncology team set up my infusion programme with the infusion centre, and I always had an advance programme. Now that I’ve finished treatment I’m doing quarterly surveillance scanning. I often have to chase up my oncologist’s admin team to sort out the scans with the provider. The provider can’t book me in until they get the paperwork from my oncologist’s office. It’s very annoying how often the admin team drop the ball. I’ve learnt not to think they’ve got it in hand, and now assume they don’t!! I chase. It’s my life at risk.

@isadora2021: I’ve been on this cancer road for 3yrs too! Perhaps we all have wondered “why me” & as time goes by I feel the situations that occur and how I react to them is what really matters. Acting with gratitude, new insight and approach each challenge with courage and persistence; I believe this is our gift as cancer patients. Not one of us makes it out of here alive, but while we are here we can learn to be the best advocate and better human.
I want to be stronger than ever.
Best every day to you! Bette