My dad was diagnosed with a rare disease (AL Amyloidosis) in October/November and his Swedish cardiologist sent an urgent referral over to hemonc. They said they would process and get him scheduled ASAP (within 3-5 days). First off, they responded over 2 weeks later and scheduled him 5 months out. This disease left untreated can lead to death within 4 months. So we self referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN and their team worked so diligently to get my dad in 3 days later. Tell me how the number 1 hospital in the United States who treats over 50% of AL Amyloidosis cases in the US was able to schedule him in 3 days and a hospital that barely sees any of these cases couldn't fit him in with an Amyloidosis specialist? (which they have).
If Swedish specialists know the severity of this diagnosis, why would they not try to fit an established patient in sooner? Even social security marks this dianosis above cancer as a higher acuity...makes no sense.
