I would like to begin by recognizing the exceptional office staff, including Beatriz, Cathy, Taylor, and Ms. Tina. They were incredibly helpful and supportive throughout my experience, and I will truly miss them. They made a positive impact on my visits, and I appreciate their kindness and professionalism.
However, my experience with Dr. Achala Doriswamy was unfortunately not as positive. I was initially hopeful, as I was looking for an oncologist who could guide me through my cancer diagnosis and treatment with empathy and expertise. Regrettably, I found her bedside manner to be unprofessional and uncomfortable.
After the initial shock of my diagnosis wore off, I had many questions and concerns about my treatment plan. Beatriz kindly arranged an appointment the following day to discuss my bloodwork with Dr. Achala Doriswamy. During our conversation, I asked about specific values in my bloodwork, seeking guidance on how diet and exercise could help improve my health. Dr. Doriswamy simply told me everything was fine without offering any detailed explanation. She reassured me that I didn't need to make any changes, but did not provide any further guidance or clarity on what the results meant. There were several highs and lows on my bloodwork that she failed to explain or make me feel more comfortable.
I also inquired about recommendations for a healthier diet to better prepare for my treatment, as I am currently dealing with obesity. I shared my own research on natural remedies like soursop and Job's tears and was met with an unhelpful response: "If you're going to do all of that, then what do you need me for?" She raised her voice and became dismissive, which was both hurtful and discouraging. I was simply seeking information and support as a newly diagnosed colon cancer patient. Honestly, the entire visit was unprofessional and too embarrassing to mention all that happened that day during my visit with her.
Additionally, there were inconsistencies with my treatment schedule. Dr. Doriswamy provided me with certain dates, but later changed them without acknowledgment of the original plan, causing confusion and frustration. There were other concerns as well but it began to be too many to mention.
I also mentioned to her my ongoing hip pain due to radiation treatment, which has now left me relying on a cane for mobility. She basically dismissed my hip pain and said she had never heard of any patient having hip pain after radiation. In my opinion, if your patient is telling you this then wouldn't you do research to help them? However, when my uncle spoke to Dr. Achala Doriswamy about this concern, she claimed I had never complained about it, which was not true. Unfortunately, my concerns seemed to go unheard, and she prescribed a pain medication but no resolution to finding out what is causing my pain. Thankfully, my new doctor reached out to me promptly and has been proactive in finding solutions to manage my pain.
While the office is clean and the staff is truly wonderful, I would not recommend Dr. Achala Doriswamy as an oncologist, particularly for cancer patients. Her unprofessional behavior, lack of communication, rudeness, and failure to address my concerns left me feeling unsupported during a challenging time. read more
