I completed treatment (chemo) in 2016 with Dr. Kao and Erin (the nurse helping Dr. Kao), and feel fortunate to have been under their care. I feel the care I received was excellent. Dr. Kao moved to a different Bay Area location in early 2017.
Dr. Kao is knowledgeable about chemo protocols and related research. She is analytical and very open to discussing her recommendations (including why one approach versus another, options to consider and choices available when making adjustments to treatment based on blood work). She was very respectful of my choices. She was also proactive about suggesting referrals for other tests or types of doctors (e.g. audiology), and comfortable indicating what types of questions she does not feel like she is in a position to answer herself based on her specific field of expertise.
Dr. Kao and Erin, in combination, were highly diligent and responsive about returning calls and answering questions, even though the vast majority of my questions were not urgent/time sensitive and could have waited. Helping reduce uncertainty may help reduce stress for some patients, and I certainly appreciated this kindness, when a cancer diagnosis adds plenty of uncertainty in all sorts of other ways.
I found Dr. Kao and Erin impressively patient in talking with me. I ask a lot of questions, sometimes challengingly (and I was more stressed than usual when starting chemo), and feel like I need info to "buy into" treatment decisions.
Toward the end of my treatment, I realized also that Dr. Kao & Erin seem to be (I think) significantly above average in making a point of dropping by to talk with me for every weekly chemo session, something I took for granted until I made this mental observation. I appreciate it even more in hindsight.
The chemo infusion team at Herrick were also truly great.
It happens that I got very good results from the chemo itself, with very minimal side effects from what we can tell so far. I realize that this can vary based on all sorts of factors, but it sure helps to have an excellent medical oncology team. read more