When You Arrive
When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with the receptionist. At that time, the receptionist will direct you where to go. ***If you are ever left to wait more than 20 minutes, please check back with the receptionist.*** We try to adhere to scheduled visit times, but emergencies may delay the doctor's schedule. We apologize if this should happen and want you to know we respect your time and value you as our patient.

Patient Phone Calls
Between seeing patients in the office, your physician's nurse returns patient phone calls in the order received. If you feel your call is urgent, please advise the receptionist of this when you call. Your nurse will inform your physician about any problems. If you wish to speak directly to your physician, tell your nurse.

Test Results
Ask your nurse how you will be notified about your lab and x-ray results. For most other tests, such as PET scans, bone scans or MRIs, it usually takes two to three days for your physician to obtain results.

Return Appointment
At the end of each visit, ask your physician when you should return. This enables you to make your next appointment before you leave the office.

When phoning for an appointment, please ask for the appointment desk. If you have been in the hospital, ask your doctor upon discharge when you need a follow-up visit. Then phone the office for an appointment.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is frequently used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy can keep cancer from spreading, slow the growth of cancer and relieve symptoms that are caused by cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs are administered in several ways. Most of the drugs are given directly into the blood stream. Some drugs can be given orally or by injection. The schedule of treatment varies from patient to patient. Your doctor and nurse will review information on the drugs, the treatment schedule and the method in which the drug will be given with you and your family.

There are many drugs and different people may have different reactions to the same drug. The following are the most common side effects:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Lack of appetite/loss of taste
• Sore/dry mouth
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Fatigue
• Hair loss