Anyone ever request a new oncologist mid-treatment?

Hi - I felt almost like I was reading something I wrote myself. I too had utmost faith and trust in my gyn onc when I first was diagnosed. She definitely saved my life and I still would recommend her as a surgeon. But afterwards through follow-up, treatment, now a recurrence and more treatment, the communication progressively became worse. I was 'assigned' a medical oncologist for chemo and felt the communication between them was bad and I always felt caught in the middle. I dreaded appointments with either of them just because I didn't want to interact with them. I feared asking questions and left appointments feeling 'less than' (hard to explain). I didn't want to make a move because everything was so conveniently located and made it so easy on my family and work (less time missed, etc.). Also, the actual care-givers in treatment (nurses, aides, techs) were very lovely. But finally I couldn't take it anymore and I made a change. I am soooooo happy now with the care I am receiving from my current doctors and it makes such a huge difference.

I would encourage you to start at least looking for the right fit. I did and requested a 'second opinion' to get to know the office and doctors a bit. Truthfully, I was afraid my current doctors would know I was looking. (Silly, I know - it's MY life and I am doing what's best for me!) Once I felt comfortable, I made the switch.

My treatment is continuing without a hitch. The extra travel is well worth it. I feel listened to and all my questions are answered respectfully. I leave appointments feeling cared for and not put down.

Bottom line, please do what is best for you. If you are not comfortable with your care team now, find another.

Best of luck!

Hi Daisy,

I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. What a nightmare. Was this oncologist someone with Mayo? Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad you found a new oncologist and I hope your neurologist is able to address your pain! < 3

Hi Korinja, thank you for your response.
No, it’s not the Mayo Clinic. I always think of the Mayo Clinic with the highest regard and appreciation and I’m grateful for all of the good they do.
It was Kaiser. The doctors at the cancer center were wonderful, helpful and kind. The bad treatment I got was at another one of their facilities.

I always have trouble when I don’t listen to my own instincts.

By the way, my diagnosis is Clear Cell Carcinoma, stage two.
They thought it was polyps but it was an “extremely large tumor”. Also they have not come up with a cure for clear cell carcinoma … they told me I have four years to live and that it is rare, aggressive, and will return multiple times.
The bad side effects were too much for me to bear. I am 75 years old.
Pain management is another unlucky subject.

All the best, Daisy

Hi Korinja, thank you for your response.
No, it’s not the Mayo Clinic. I always think of the Mayo Clinic with the highest regard and appreciation and I’m grateful for all of the good they do.
It was Kaiser. The doctors at the cancer center were wonderful, helpful and kind. The bad treatment I got was at another one of their facilities.

I always have trouble when I don’t listen to my own instincts.

By the way, my diagnosis is Clear Cell Carcinoma, stage two.
They thought it was polyps but it was an “extremely large tumor”. Also they have not come up with a cure for clear cell carcinoma … they told me I have four years to live and that it is rare, aggressive, and will return multiple times.
The bad side effects were too much for me to bear. I am 75 years old.
Pain management is another unlucky subject.

All the best, Daisy

Hi Korinja,

My heart goes out to you. I can relate to your situation.
I met my Oncologist in October 2024. Other doctors said she was wonderful, delightful, the best.

After I met her I had an uneasy feeling. She kept me waiting for one hour. She dressed like she was ready for a fancy cocktail party complete with stiletto heels.
Each visit was worse than the one before it.
I got a reference to another Oncologist early on and I had an appointment set up. I was told that he was my doctor’s partner. I thought that meant that they were a couple so I decided to go back to the original doctor and give her another chance. Big mistake.
She had one of three responses to every question: “No”, “I don’t know,” or to change the subject so swiftly it was like sleight of hand. I started taking my husband with me because he has an excellent memory. She would not answer his questions either.

On the day of the hysterectomy she was in a hurry. (I had completed six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation as well as brachytherapy surgery.)
I tried to tell her that I was not going to continue with chemo or radiation. She snapped, twice “that is completely inappropriate – we are here for surgery!”

She did not come to see me after the surgery or even to sign me out. After checking several times, the nurses released me without her signature. I didn’t hear from her for 3 days. I was in excruciating pain and my upper legs were numb on both sides, with dagger-like stabbing pains. She said this sometimes happens after surgery. I told her that it fits the description of neuropathy. She snapped, “It is not neuropathy!” But that’s exactly what it was and still is five months later. I can’t drive a car or descend the flight of stairs from my apartment.

I finally got an appointment with the doctor I originally wanted to switch to (based on a recommendation I received from a fellow patient I met in the radiology waiting room.) I asked how she liked her oncologist. She said, I love him!
He answers every question, he is an excellent listener and he is compassionate and empathetic.

So I’ve seen my new Oncologist once and he was everything I hoped for .

He said, you need to see a neurologist before we do anything else.

I apologize for the length of this post.

I'm so sorry for you. Can't they do chemo and radiation? I have an aggressive fast spreading cancer too...carcinosarcoma but it's endometrial cancer, stage 3C. I've had 4 treatments of chemo and immunotherapy. My CA125 numbers started at 1641 in Feb and went to 744 after 2nd treatment. After 3rd treatment they fell to 179. I'm having labwork today so I'll see how much more they've come down. I think I'd demand treatment. What could it possibly hurt?

You might want your oncologist to elaborate on your diagnosis and survival time. I am attaching a link to clear cell endometrial cancer that provides a technical description of the disease. It may give you information to form questions for your doctor. Failing that, you could seek out an oncologist who is willing to clarify your prognosis and treatment alternatives.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6152831/
All the best