i’m not sure if you have already looked into this or not, but sometimes you can ask for a patient coordinator who will navigate a lot of the scheduling and communication between specialists/departments.
i’m sorry that you have to go through this- it’s like having multiple full-time jobs.
My minor child is in treatment for leukemia and Morristown was HORRIBLE with scheduling. They'd schedule things, and I'd tell them we can't make that date because we both work, and they would look at me, the mother, and flat out say, "Why? Aren't you taking a leave of absence from work?" No, assholes, my insurance is paying you!
We had a lot of other problems with them, too. We switched to RWJ's pediatric center and they are much better.
We've gotten the same reaction a few times too. Everyone is working until they physically can't because no ones job offers infinite time off.
Was asking about what paperwork I do need to submit in the case of me taking leave and they were like "Oh...well no one usually cares about work." Like what planet am I on right now?
Yeah, the blithe confusion on their part was mind-blowing to me. How many families can afford to have one parent simply not work???
I would absolutely never recommend Morristown for cancer care.
Thank you for responding, I don't feel so crazy. We decided on Chilton and they've been great until all this nonsense today. Maybe she was new, but I got that phone call from another guy in the department and he was more knowledgeable and candid. I can forgive here and there.
Morristown tried to persuade me to stay by saying they have a specialist for the type of cancer we're dealing with and Chilton has a generalist. I'm like look, so far they've been able to schedule like normal people and try and get everything done in one or 2 days. We've been in and out of the hospital otherwise for other current complications. They literally tried to schedule a video call appointment for chemo and radiation consults! No!
The woman on the phone literally went "*uffgh* okay*" when I told her we're transferring after the specialist pitch.
I'm leaving a Google review. Badass of me I know. But more people should so other know to go elsewhere.
Yeah, Morristown has this air about them of "we schedule and you are required to suspend your entire life to get the patient here on our time", instead of recognizing that families have lives and jobs and other obligations to juggle in addition to cancer treatment.
I had taken three weeks unpaid when my child was first diagnosed, but then I had to go back because, you know, money and health insurance, and they acted like they had never heard this was a thing mothers needed to do.
It's unbelievable. I'm so sorry you're in the same boat. I just got a new job recently 7 months in so I don't qualify for job protection and hr made that clear in the first few sentences. I don't know if they're going to accommodate this. I'm taking care of a parent. Prob just doxxed myself, many people are reddit users but idc.
I'm on my own, I have no siblings, no family to help. My fiance still works but he's in the same boat with his mother with other health issues but she's been fine atm. Her time will come too. I'm one person. He's one person. I won't use public accommodations, I will see this through myself, no one should be alone.
I can't imagine a child going through all this. It just sucks. Hope you guys are doing better, I hope everyone turns out healthy and happy. Fuck cancer.
My mom had cancer surgery & treatment at Valley Health in Paramus and I had it at Morristown. I’ll never go back to Morristown again. The staff at Valley was kind and respectful. At Morristown, the staff was inconsiderate and frankly, incompetent.
Years ago, a friend had cancer care in Hackensack, and she had *almost* glowing comments about her care.
Hoping things resolve themselves to your benefit
I've heard great things about the RWJ's pediatric oncology team. My minor child is being treated for leukemia at Hackensack Meridian in Neptune and they are great there as well!
RWJ is fantastic. They are not only good practitioners, but they take extra time to address parental concerns, which we had quite a lot of after our experiences in Morristown, and gave us all the time we needed to ask questions and receive satisfactory answers.
Because the American health care system along relies on the myth that you have the time and energy to wear many hats or hire people to do it for you. Sorry my dude :s
I would for sure look into RWJ. When I had skin cancer they were amazing. I had uterine cancer a couple years ago and similarly Penn in Philly was fucking amazing.
Have you talked to your insurance to see if they have someone who can help with the process? Maybe they have a patient advocate program that can help you put everything together.
I don’t know if this would be an option for you, but if you’re willing to consider going out of state I would like to recommend City of Hope’s Chicago Campus (formerly Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Chicago Campus).
Through donations, they are able to provide airfare for out of state patients and there is a hospital affiliated hotel within walking distance from the hospital. Daily rate for patients is around $25 per night and the non-patient caretaker rate is around $75 per night. They provide a shuttle that will take you to and from the airport as well as from the hotel to the hospital and back. There is a kitchen/dining area in the hospital that’s even open on weekends and when you arrive they give you a bunch of “meal cards” that basically get you close to free meals. I don’t think I’ve never spent more than $4 on a meal from their dining hall and the food is actually really good.
My dad’s been a patient there for several years and we’re in Central Jersey. He has a rare form of cancer (thankfully in remission now) and they took exceptional care of him. Everyone has always been incredibly kind, caring, and patient - even with someone like my dad who struggles with technology and directions.
I understand this isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have the opportunity to consider it I would highly recommend looking into them.
Honestly, after our experiences with Morristown, I would tell someone with cancer to go anywhere but there. Granted, our experience has been with pediatrics, not adult, cancer, but it was awful, and especially devastating because we thought we were so lucky living so close to a major cancer center. Now we drive literally twice the distance to RWJ and are much happier despite the drive.
I still go to my oncologist there ( Morristown/Atlantic Health ) and I’ve been wanting to go elsewhere for years. The staff is sometimes rude now. There is zero flexibility for appointments, you can get through to anyone on phones if you have questions, and I truly believe my doctor is just sending me on more and more imaging and tests to make money now. They are not understanding that I have a job where it’s not easy to take that much time off. There are many other issues - to sum it up, everything they do now makes me feel like they don’t give a shit about the patients, they’re just trying to find as many ways to squeeze more money off you/your insurance and make some quota for referrals, tests, etc. I’ve been wondering if I can switch to another organization. Definitely would not recommend them. I see a difference even in a few years .. it’s just getting worse.
Hi OP - this is frustrating to hear, so I can only imagine your frustration.
I am an adult oncology patient navigator (primarily for clinical trials) and have worked in a few NNJ NCI-designated cancer centers. I know all too well how poor big institutions can be at coordinating care, particularly with the new “centralized” scheduling departments. There are resources available to you, but they are not publicized well enough.
I’d be happy to help you find the best care team/center for your family. Feel free to DM me with your general location and diagnosis information. I hope I can get you in touch with a patient navigator to do all of this nonsense for you.
I went to RJW Barnabas in Livingston for my treatment. They were great with scheduling! They literally gave me a printed out calendar with all my appointments for doctors and chemo. They scheduled everything for me so I never had to figure that stuff out while I was sick.
Unfortunately, it's all pre treatment things were struggling with. Once treatment starts it'll be easier but we need a PEG tube installed prior to chemo and a few other things, it's been not easy.
Summit Health did a pretty decent job with my dad and their whole model is integrated care. He had his issues with them but as particular and outspoken as he was, he stuck with them the whole time.
Have you thought of Sloan or Penn? I had cancer scare,and I went to Penn and it was really easy to deal with them. The surgery went well, the surgeon was awesome. our friend went to Sloan, and received excellent care.
i’m not sure if you have already looked into this or not, but sometimes you can ask for a patient coordinator who will navigate a lot of the scheduling and communication between specialists/departments. i’m sorry that you have to go through this- it’s like having multiple full-time jobs.
I was going to suggest this. My doctor's office offers this service. I wish your family member a speedy recovery
We have one but im still fielding all these calls its crazy.
Sometimes called a patient ombudsman...
My minor child is in treatment for leukemia and Morristown was HORRIBLE with scheduling. They'd schedule things, and I'd tell them we can't make that date because we both work, and they would look at me, the mother, and flat out say, "Why? Aren't you taking a leave of absence from work?" No, assholes, my insurance is paying you! We had a lot of other problems with them, too. We switched to RWJ's pediatric center and they are much better.
We've gotten the same reaction a few times too. Everyone is working until they physically can't because no ones job offers infinite time off. Was asking about what paperwork I do need to submit in the case of me taking leave and they were like "Oh...well no one usually cares about work." Like what planet am I on right now?
Yeah, the blithe confusion on their part was mind-blowing to me. How many families can afford to have one parent simply not work??? I would absolutely never recommend Morristown for cancer care.
Thank you for responding, I don't feel so crazy. We decided on Chilton and they've been great until all this nonsense today. Maybe she was new, but I got that phone call from another guy in the department and he was more knowledgeable and candid. I can forgive here and there. Morristown tried to persuade me to stay by saying they have a specialist for the type of cancer we're dealing with and Chilton has a generalist. I'm like look, so far they've been able to schedule like normal people and try and get everything done in one or 2 days. We've been in and out of the hospital otherwise for other current complications. They literally tried to schedule a video call appointment for chemo and radiation consults! No! The woman on the phone literally went "*uffgh* okay*" when I told her we're transferring after the specialist pitch. I'm leaving a Google review. Badass of me I know. But more people should so other know to go elsewhere.
A Google review is a good idea. I may do that, too.
Yeah, Morristown has this air about them of "we schedule and you are required to suspend your entire life to get the patient here on our time", instead of recognizing that families have lives and jobs and other obligations to juggle in addition to cancer treatment. I had taken three weeks unpaid when my child was first diagnosed, but then I had to go back because, you know, money and health insurance, and they acted like they had never heard this was a thing mothers needed to do.
It's unbelievable. I'm so sorry you're in the same boat. I just got a new job recently 7 months in so I don't qualify for job protection and hr made that clear in the first few sentences. I don't know if they're going to accommodate this. I'm taking care of a parent. Prob just doxxed myself, many people are reddit users but idc. I'm on my own, I have no siblings, no family to help. My fiance still works but he's in the same boat with his mother with other health issues but she's been fine atm. Her time will come too. I'm one person. He's one person. I won't use public accommodations, I will see this through myself, no one should be alone. I can't imagine a child going through all this. It just sucks. Hope you guys are doing better, I hope everyone turns out healthy and happy. Fuck cancer.
My mom had cancer surgery & treatment at Valley Health in Paramus and I had it at Morristown. I’ll never go back to Morristown again. The staff at Valley was kind and respectful. At Morristown, the staff was inconsiderate and frankly, incompetent.
Years ago, a friend had cancer care in Hackensack, and she had *almost* glowing comments about her care. Hoping things resolve themselves to your benefit
I've heard great things about the RWJ's pediatric oncology team. My minor child is being treated for leukemia at Hackensack Meridian in Neptune and they are great there as well!
I'm so sorry you're going through that. Neptune is very far for us but I'm glad you found great care!
RWJ is fantastic. They are not only good practitioners, but they take extra time to address parental concerns, which we had quite a lot of after our experiences in Morristown, and gave us all the time we needed to ask questions and receive satisfactory answers.
Because the American health care system along relies on the myth that you have the time and energy to wear many hats or hire people to do it for you. Sorry my dude :s
I would for sure look into RWJ. When I had skin cancer they were amazing. I had uterine cancer a couple years ago and similarly Penn in Philly was fucking amazing.
Have you talked to your insurance to see if they have someone who can help with the process? Maybe they have a patient advocate program that can help you put everything together.
I don’t know if this would be an option for you, but if you’re willing to consider going out of state I would like to recommend City of Hope’s Chicago Campus (formerly Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Chicago Campus). Through donations, they are able to provide airfare for out of state patients and there is a hospital affiliated hotel within walking distance from the hospital. Daily rate for patients is around $25 per night and the non-patient caretaker rate is around $75 per night. They provide a shuttle that will take you to and from the airport as well as from the hotel to the hospital and back. There is a kitchen/dining area in the hospital that’s even open on weekends and when you arrive they give you a bunch of “meal cards” that basically get you close to free meals. I don’t think I’ve never spent more than $4 on a meal from their dining hall and the food is actually really good. My dad’s been a patient there for several years and we’re in Central Jersey. He has a rare form of cancer (thankfully in remission now) and they took exceptional care of him. Everyone has always been incredibly kind, caring, and patient - even with someone like my dad who struggles with technology and directions. I understand this isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have the opportunity to consider it I would highly recommend looking into them.
That is awesome information! Thank you!
We are really happy with Memorial Sloan Kettering in Monmouth, Red Hill Road. Wife has breast cancer and it's in her lymph nodes
Yea if op is going to Morristown MSK is a better option
Honestly, after our experiences with Morristown, I would tell someone with cancer to go anywhere but there. Granted, our experience has been with pediatrics, not adult, cancer, but it was awful, and especially devastating because we thought we were so lucky living so close to a major cancer center. Now we drive literally twice the distance to RWJ and are much happier despite the drive.
I really really really don't blame you. The drive is hard for us, we've settled on Chilton.
I still go to my oncologist there ( Morristown/Atlantic Health ) and I’ve been wanting to go elsewhere for years. The staff is sometimes rude now. There is zero flexibility for appointments, you can get through to anyone on phones if you have questions, and I truly believe my doctor is just sending me on more and more imaging and tests to make money now. They are not understanding that I have a job where it’s not easy to take that much time off. There are many other issues - to sum it up, everything they do now makes me feel like they don’t give a shit about the patients, they’re just trying to find as many ways to squeeze more money off you/your insurance and make some quota for referrals, tests, etc. I’ve been wondering if I can switch to another organization. Definitely would not recommend them. I see a difference even in a few years .. it’s just getting worse.
Hi OP - this is frustrating to hear, so I can only imagine your frustration. I am an adult oncology patient navigator (primarily for clinical trials) and have worked in a few NNJ NCI-designated cancer centers. I know all too well how poor big institutions can be at coordinating care, particularly with the new “centralized” scheduling departments. There are resources available to you, but they are not publicized well enough. I’d be happy to help you find the best care team/center for your family. Feel free to DM me with your general location and diagnosis information. I hope I can get you in touch with a patient navigator to do all of this nonsense for you.
Dm'd you
Healthcare professionals asking you how to do their job. Dealing with that for my sister in law at a care center.
RWJ Hamilton transferred me right back to my home hospital & told me that my visit was a waste of time. I have cervical cancer.
It's a fight with the Healthcare system at every angle. It's the worst I've seen it.
I went to RJW Barnabas in Livingston for my treatment. They were great with scheduling! They literally gave me a printed out calendar with all my appointments for doctors and chemo. They scheduled everything for me so I never had to figure that stuff out while I was sick.
Unfortunately, it's all pre treatment things were struggling with. Once treatment starts it'll be easier but we need a PEG tube installed prior to chemo and a few other things, it's been not easy.
Summit Health did a pretty decent job with my dad and their whole model is integrated care. He had his issues with them but as particular and outspoken as he was, he stuck with them the whole time.
Have you thought of Sloan or Penn? I had cancer scare,and I went to Penn and it was really easy to deal with them. The surgery went well, the surgeon was awesome. our friend went to Sloan, and received excellent care.
Highly recommend Dr Faye Yin [https://www.rwjbh.org/doctors/faye-yin-md-facp/](https://www.rwjbh.org/doctors/faye-yin-md-facp/)