How to transfer care from Mayo Clinic to local specialist?

@debschmalbach
Though I'm not personally familiar with oncologists who treat metastatic liposarcoma, other Connect members may have suggestions.

But I suggest you check out clinics in the Mayo Clinic Network. The Mayo Clinic Care Network helps keep care local. These hospitals have full access to Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise. This spares patients the expense and inconvenience of additional appointments and unnecessary travel. There appears to be one in New Mexico. Check out this list of members: https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/care-network/network-members

What Mayo location are you currently being seen at?

Thank you very much. I will definitely check them out..

@debschmalbach, I'm tagging mentor @mir123 on this question. While she doesn't have sarcoma, she also lives with metastatic cancer and receives care in your area of the country.

Other options include:
- Call Mayo Clinic appointments where you received treatment to ask for recommended local oncologists. They can sometimes help transfer to local care. See phone numbers here: https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
- Talk to an oncology social work at Mayo Clinic about transfer of care.

@colleenyoung and @debschmalbach
hi--right now the status of my cancer is unknown. Initially the NET tumor in my breast was assumed to have at least a subclinical spread. That may still be true, but currently, after 3 1/2 years, there is no indication of spread. Essentially it seems that because I'm still alive the prognosis has changed. Nothing about this has been clear or simple. However, I'm at Christus St. Vincent in Santa Fe. Initially Mayo was very helpful with the pathology. The cancer center at Christus is in network for Mayo. Hope this helps

@colleenyoung
Thank you. I have managed to work it out. It was stressful and time consuming but I think I now have a plan. I appreciate your reaching out.

@mir123
I really appreciate your response. I was considering St. Vincent's but there was some confusion going on when they closed the cancer center there in Santa Fe. My understanding though is that many of the doctors went over to St. Vincent. Do you feel confident in your care at St. Vincent?

@debschmalbach
Hi Debi....A new clinic NEXUS HEALTH closed abruptly in Santa Fe recently, leaving many patients without care. That may be what you're referring to. The cancer center at Christus-St Vincent is fairly new, but well established, and in the MAYO care network. That may be a "local" option. FYI....we're in Santa Fe.

@debschmalbach As you probably know from living in New Mexico, we are quite underserved medically. My search for an oncologist began with St. Vincent's 3 1/2 years ago. Then my surgeon and oncologist left St. Vincent's. After a chaotic period they joined Nexus. Then Nexus folded, seemingly overnight. My oncologist left the state without notifying patients. So I was referred back to St. Vincent's. I'd say the oncology care is "good enough." I initially went to UNM for a second opinion. I feel they are the best in the state, if you can get in. There is Mayo of course in Scottsdale, AZ but that might be too far? I have family in Denver, so that tends to be my back-up in my thinking, but I have no details. I assume your Mayo oncologist will supervise any treatment you have locally? In that case St Vincent's should work. For me personally, if there are still complicated decisions to be made I'd stick to Mayo or UNM in Albuquerque or look at University of Utah in Salt Lake. (Which my PCP thinks highly of and suggested. I wasn't accepted there however, as my breast tumor is neuroendocrine and they do not specifically treat NETs in breast).

That sounds so very stressful. I’m sorry you are having to go through all of that. It’s so hard when you’re already managing a serious illness. I have an appointment at University of Colorado as well because you can fly from Taos to Denver. UNM managed my first tumor back in 2008, but I have not been able to get a quick enough response from them. Do you mind if I ask where you live? Unfortunately, my tumors are very rapid growing. I don’t know if that’s true for you as well, but it just adds to the stress.

@ctflyr yes Nexus is what I was thinking of. My oncologist basically told me she would not make a recommendation to another facility. That I would need to work with that particular facility. Mayor will follow me for check ups, but that seems to be it.