Medical Oncologist is retiring

Marg
0 Recommendations

We got a letter yesterday that our oncologist is retiring as of 10/1/08. Mike is being treated at our local hospital cancer center, only a 10 minute drive from home. We decided in the beginning we didn't want to travel 3 or 4 hours to a "big" center (Barnes Jewish in St Louis). There will be a temporary oncologist taking over until December when a permanent onc will move here.

We have an appointment on Monday to get the results from the latest scans, and I have such hope that we are going to see huge improvement. I guess we will say good by to Dr Hoppin and trust that God will give the new doctors the same care, compassion and knowledge that Dr Hoppin has shown us for the past 9 months. And who knows, maybe a new, younger doctor will have even better ideas about how to crush this cancer.

Thanks for “listening”.

6 replies

lorbethm
  • By lorbethm
  • Posted September 24, 2008 at 10:22 am

Wow. That would be hard for me to lose my oncologist. I hope the new one is just as good, if not better, than the current one. :) Good luck!!

Lorie

jyuan
  • By jyuan
  • Posted September 24, 2008 at 10:26 am

Since my onc is not young, sometimes I have the same concerns.

Mach1
  • By Mach1
  • Posted September 24, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Hi Marg. Where do you live? I live in the city of St Louis and know there are good cancer centers somewhat outside the city. What I would say is that the experience of the oncologist with lung cancer is more important than their location. Some oncologists in more remote locations cover several types of cancer e.g. breast etc and may not be expert with lung cancer. That doesn't mean they are bad or anything but I would seek an oncologist who is familiar with the latest views on drug and chemo combinations and other developments in lung cancer. Many people on this site work with a cancer center in another state, it doesn't always mean they have to travel for every consultation. Hope this helps some.

jima1028
  • By jima1028
  • Posted September 27, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Marg - Being treated by a good oncologist is absolutely critical. We only have one chance to get it right. I want to be treated by the best that I can get to. I would recommend that you find a way to get the best possible care regardless of the location.

Marg
  • By Marg
  • Posted September 28, 2008 at 8:52 am

We live in East Central Illinois, Mattoon, to be exact. In January, when Mike was diagnosed, we went to Barnes Jewish for a second opinion. They told us that our local cancer center (Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center) could give us the same care as Barnes could. We are going to meet with the new onc and see how we feel.

Thanks for the responses.

Mach1
  • By Mach1
  • Posted September 28, 2008 at 11:01 am

Marg I'm sorry I can't help, I was wondering if you were west of St Louis where I know some good cancer centers. Barnes is certainly a great one but like you say, a fair drive from Mattoon. I would certainly ask the retiring oncologist if he/she knows the new one. And I would not be afraid to ask directly what experience exactly the new one has with lung cancer. All the best, Mac.

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