No Mayo Clinic

So Ma and Jim went to Marquette General Hospital's Cancer Center last week.

Where do I start?

First, the callous unprofessionalism.  In the middle of a busy chemo room with no privacy whatsoever, one of the doctors apparently blurted out to a patient the news that he has cancer. 

Second, the nurses insisted on wrapping Ma's feet and hands in ice, even though there is no medical evidence supporting said practice - according to the Mayo Clinic.

Third, the doctor tried to take over Ma's treatment plan.  For example, he ordered a whole slew of tests, including blood tests every week for the next three weeks until the next chemo treatment even though this is nothing that Dr. Hartmann has ever ordered.  Keep in mind that the nurses are not good at poking veins there. It hurts and blood should be drawn only on chemo days.

Fourth, the doctors did not follow Dr. Hartmann's instructions.  The treatment plan says Doxil. That's it. NO pre-treatment drugs are necessary because Ma is tolerating the treatment just fine. Who wants to sit there for longer than absolutely necessary?

Fifth, the doctor is not up to speed on the research. He felt the need to give Ma a prescription for a medication to help with the neuropathy in Ma's hands. We called Dr. Hartmann to ask about this prescription and she advised that the researchers have found it ineffective.

Sixth, out of nowhere Portage Hospital in Houghton is now involved.  Apparently the Cancer Center at MGH scheduled the February chemo treatment to take place there. We have no idea why. 

Seventh (I can't believe this list is so long either), the appointment should have been for a consult only but the doctor ordered chemo so now the schedule is off by a week. The chemo should have happened on January 11 not January 4.  Now the whole schedule is off.

So now you know: Marquette General Hospital is no Mayo Clinic.