My general onc sent me to Dana Farber for a second opinion and SCT. We don’t have a MM center close by. Well he was mad when I took on a trial and had all my treatment there. Oh well it’s my life!

Kaathryn, My first Oncologist/Hemotologist I was referred to for my unexplained anemia never even prescribed any additional blood tests he simply put me on iron tablets and vitamin b12 infusions. Later I got a notice that he was retiring very soon with no followup other than to continue treatment as planned next visit in six months. Withing 6 months I was rushed to an emergency room with kidney failure, intense back pain, full blown MM, being delusional. Yes, I would say some retiring doctors tend to rush or short-cut things.
Referring Oncologists generally refer to someone more expert in MM which is a good thing but you should look for someone specializing in MM near you. The non-specialist can still monitor blood work, treatments, and make sure the MM specialist gets the lab reports, etc.. The MM specialist will see you less frequently but still be in-charge of your case.

Tricia that’s a good thing that you don’t have that jerk of a dr. anymore because dr’s don’t have any right to chastise you when you go for a second opinion or a different treatment.

I requested a second opinion from a specialist and got one. I have a general oncologist. After the consultation I felt much better about my general oncologist, he seems to be in tune to what I want and we frequently text, I even send him articles I find on line for his opinion and he is very receptive even sending articles back himself. The specialist seemed very high on himself and tried to steer me to certain protocols thru fear, which I don't respond to very well. So for those of you out there that don't have specialists it doesn't mean you don't have a great oncologist.

My husband sees our local oncologist and has been very aggressive in his induction treatment and has referred us to Prisma health in Greenville SC to discuss SCT. Appointment is September 3. I mentioned to him the idea of seeing a specialist as well and he was not in the least insulted, quite the opposite. After SCT, thinking of going to Levine in Charlotte or Duke. I feel you can’t have too many eyes on this disease.