At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we aim to assist our new patients in understanding their condition by providing helpful information on sarcoma treatment at our facility. We help you organize your travel and manage your sarcoma care.
Our team will guide you through every step of your journey so you have information accessible for reference at home and during your visits to the doctor or other medical appointments. We will help you keep track of phone numbers, treatment history, side effects, and laboratory results.
We advise new patients visiting from out of town to plan to stay in Santa Monica for at least one week. This duration allows our team to thoroughly review all your medical reports and information, including the information you bring and any additional tests that may be ordered during your stay.
The duration of your stay also depends on the treatment option best for your sarcoma condition. For instance, sarcoma treatment often involves higher doses of chemotherapy, which requires close medical supervision. Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to stay in Santa Monica for one to two months so your physician can ensure comprehensive monitoring and care.
We recommend that you keep accurate records of your medications and chemotherapy regimen in one document. This will help you during your chemotherapy since you and your healthcare team will work together to determine the most suitable medication, dosage, and schedule tailored to your specific condition.
You may be prescribed multiple medications during your chemotherapy. In the case of unexpected side effects when drugs interact with each other, having past records of your medications can be useful.
Our medical history form will help you keep track of all medications and manage your physical health during chemotherapy.
In preparation for your consultation with us, please fill out our registration form. The form asks you specific questions about your sarcoma treatment, doctor, and prescriptions.
Please bring the following documents with you to your first consultation with us.
Your healthcare team is your best source of information on sarcoma. To ensure that you receive answers about your disease, treatment, and possible risks, we encourage you to ask as many questions as possible.
You can also use our My Questions to Ask form to write down your questions and reference them for your next appointment with your doctor.
Some questions you may consider asking your doctor include:
More than half of all people diagnosed with sarcoma receive chemotherapy. It helps treat sarcoma effectively and enables you to enjoy a productive life. Your doctor may determine the chemotherapy drug that is right for you. It may be the best option for a successful outcome.
You can keep track of medical appointments, test dates, and test times using our My Medical Care and Test Tracker form.
Please make sure to document your side effects, including the date, time, frequency, and severity (mild or strong). You should also monitor your blood count changes to ensure treatment remains on schedule.
Studies show that chemotherapy produces the best long-term results for certain types of sarcoma when patients receive the full dose on time. At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we develop a personalized treatment plan based on your type of sarcoma, its stage of advancement, and your overall health.
The plan will consist of specific chemotherapy agents at specific doses and intervals. This is called your scheduled cycle, which your doctor devises after consultation with you to determine the most effective treatment schedule.
Treatments are typically given daily, weekly, or monthly. To get the most from chemotherapy, it’s important to stick to the treatment schedule and dose that you and your doctor initially set up.
You can use our My Important Contacts form to save the contact information of your doctors, caregivers, nutritionists, and other healthcare team members, as well as your support group. This will ensure you have important contact information handy throughout your treatment.
We understand navigating medical insurance and managing bills can be frustrating for you and your caregivers. Many hospitals and clinics provide a patient services representative to assist you with your insurance and medical bills.
Sarcoma Oncology Center offers you the best combination of treatments for your sarcoma. Our team considers your physical and emotional well-being a top priority.
At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating your condition.
To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.
