Dr. Efstathiou at MDA

[Garbonzeaux]

Just got a letter a few days ago from MDA (Houston) saying that Dr. E will no longer be seeing patients as of today. Two questions:

Anybody know what's up with her?

They will apparently assign a new Dr. to me, but could be I can make a request. Any suggestions?

[6357axbz]

Bad news! Did you have any future visits already scheduled? I haven’t received the letter but my mail is being forwarded so it will take a few more days.

[6357axbz]

I sent an email to Arielle for more info.

[Tall_Allen]

Someone said she was going to Greece. I'm impressed by Paul Corn.

[6357axbz]

Just received this reply from Arielle, “Yes unfortunately she has left our institution, no other information has been provided. We are working on reassigning her patients to other prostrate cancer specialist. All the best in the new year! ~Arielle”

I asked if I could have a say in who my new MO will be.

[6357axbz]

I asked Arielle if I could have a say in my new MO. Her response, “Administration is working on arranging patients to specific prostate cancer specialist.”

[Garbonzeaux in reply to 6357axbz]

That sounds like a "No," doesn't it?

[JamesAtlanta in reply to Garbonzeaux]

MD Anderson does have a patient advocacy group. I think you can ask them to help you be reassigned, if you decide that’s what you want. My guess is that the only challenge is getting a slot on someone’s calendar - you might have to wait a while.

Good luck! 🍀

James

[6357axbz in reply to Garbonzeaux]

Yup

[JamesAtlanta]

I got my notification on New Years Eve via MyChart. They cancelled my visit with Dr. E, rescheduled my visit a week later at a facility 30-miles away. And then reassigned me to Dr. John Araujo. Tough way to end the year... but typical of 2020.

I researched Dr. Araujo and he seems to have a very good reputation. I’m going to see him in late January and then decide to stay with him or find someone else.

MD Anderson is the reason I’m in remission. Dr. E was willing to deviate from SOC and recommend a prostatectomy even though I had a distant bone met. I’m going to trust the organization and hope for the best.

If anyone here is cared for by Dr. Araujo, I’d appreciate any insight you have.

Thanks - happy new year!

James

[Garbonzeaux in reply to JamesAtlanta]

Ditto. Dr. E treated me aggressively, with Lupron, chemo, and prostatectomy, getting me to undetectable in 8 months, despite Gleason 10 and bone mets. Dr. E not my favorite person, but you can't argue with that kind of success. Hope I can find a good replacement.

[6357axbz]

Just received my letter. It states, in part,

“...we have a number of superb faculty that would be delighted to take over your care. If you agree, we will make the change and provide you with an update.”

Based on this and the rest of the letter it sounds to me they will try to match patients with another doctor and then give us a chance to accept the change or not.

[j-o-h-n]

For the doctor:

Many patients will miss you. Come back to the U.S.

With Luck, Health and humor.

XXXXX

Πολλοί ασθενείς θα σας λείψουν. Επιστρέψτε στις ΗΠΑ

Με τύχη, υγεία και χιούμορ. Γιάννης

XXXXX

(Polloí astheneís tha sas leípsoun. Epistrépste stis IPA

Me týchi, ygeía kai chioúmor). Giánnis

XXXXX

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 01/03/2021 9:51 PM EST

[Justfor_ in reply to j-o-h-n]

Γιάννη καλή χρονιά,

Your Greek needs some brushing up:

Πολλοί ασθενείς θα σας λείψουν = You will miss many patients.

You, obviously, wanted to say:

Many patients will miss you = Θα λείψετε σε πολλούς ασθενείς.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Justfor_]

Showoff 👀👀👀😊😊😊

me Gia sou stein neon etos.........

My Greek is rusty.... So I use Greek in English phonetically or use Google translate.

Now that we met, let's open a Diner..............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 01/05/2021 6:35 PM EST

[JamesAtlanta in reply to j-o-h-n]

It’s Greek to me... 😉

[j-o-h-n in reply to JamesAtlanta]

me too............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 01/06/2021 9:53 PM EST

[GP24]

She is at Houston Methodist Cancer Center

houstonmethodist.org/doctor...

[Garbonzeaux in reply to GP24]

Thanks. That's what I heard during my visit to MDA a few weeks ago.