[Julia B.]

Hi,

If anyone out there has experience with hematologist/oncologists, please weigh in, especially if your illness requires receiving phlebotomies.

My brother has polycythemia vera, which requires him to have a large amount of blood drawn (phlebotomy) on a regular basis. I found a hematologist at the Cancer Center who I think is a good doctor (w/just 2 minor complaints from me), but it's the bloodwork technicians who aren't skilled AT ALL! Yesterday, they demolished my brother's arm, and so I made them stop before finishing the phlebotomy (since it was not detrimental to my brother to do so in light of bloodwork results yesterday).

Prior to moving to Las Vegas, we had a doctor (Kenneth Nahum) in Howell, NJ, who took care of John. He's great, and so are his staff. Once every 4 to 6weeks, we were in and out of the office in about 20 minutes--even with the phlebotomy.

The nurses (except for one male nurse, who sucked as bad as the techs at the NV Cancer Center) were extremely skilled. They did not use one of those bottles to collect the blood. They used a thin syringe with a tube attached to it. and drew the blood swiftly and left nothing but a tiny puncture mark. The procedure as done by them was swift (bears repeating) and never traumatic; they drew the blood without a problem.

Given the lack of skilled techs at NV Cancer Center, I feel we've moved backward w/John's care in this regard. So what I'm really looking for is A HEMATOLOGIST/ONCOLOGIST WHO HAS GREAT BLOODWORK TECHNICIANS WHO DON'T USE A BOTTLE TO COLLECT THE BLOOD AND WHO DON'T CAUSE MASSIVE--OR ANY!--BRUISING DURING THE PROCEDURE.

I know this is an odd request for help, but I'm at a loss here. John's next appointment is December 5, and we're dreading it already. Please, if you're a doctor, nurse, or patient who has info to impart, let me know what you think.

THANKS!!!!!!

[sorryville]

I've only had expereince with one hematologist and it went fine, blood draws and all. The doctor and the staff were great. I'm not sure if she specializes in what you need but here's her info:

Rinah Shopnick
2020 W.Palomino Ln, ste. 110
702-385-2702

Good luck, I hope this helps.

[Julia B.]

Thanks, sorryville! I'll give her office a call.