Dr. Daneng Li - Duarte, California

Camminh Le

I’ve been procrastinating writing this review, because it brings back painful memories, but I think I finally need to get it off my chest. I am writing this under my mom’s email account. My mom was a patient of Dr. Li’s. As someone who works in healthcare, I know it can’t be easy being an oncologist. However, I wish Dr. Li showed more compassion.

My mom was desperate for a guide in her terminal diagnosis. After my mom’s initial visit with Dr. Li, all her other visits lasted 5 minutes or less with him. An example of her time with him was when my mom, concerned, asked him why her left leg was hurting. Dr. Li responded, “I don’t know.” She went to the ED later on that week and was found to have metastasis to her bone. I know it was inevitable that my mom’s condition got worse; but it would’ve been nice if he showed more compassion. As her condition worsened, she started seeing him less and less, and seeing his APPs more.

My mom’s oncology team never suggested hospice, even though I saw my mom deteriorate before my own eyes, my heart sinking because I knew what the labs meant even though the oncology team never explained much. When I asked about when hospice should be considered, the NP asked me, “Did you talk to her about that yet? You should,” even though the word "hospice" never came out of their mouths before. They kept telling my mom to come back every couple of weeks to recheck labs; then sent her home numerous times since her labs were not suitable for chemotherapy or immunotherapy. They referred her out for another consultation with another specialist when labs and imaging were not getting better; instead of admitting that there was nothing else they could do. I often saw Dr. Li sitting in the providers’ office as we walked to the room to wait to talk to his NP. On my mom’s last day there (I decided to take her back home, which is another state), she had her appointment with his NP, who went to tell Dr. Li that my mom was discharging, yet he never came to say goodbye.

I do not think it was fair for me to have to make the decision myself to put my mom on hospice without the advice of my mom’s oncology team and with my own limited medical knowledge. Desperate to not live with that guilt, I contacted the initial doctor that diagnosed her where she was from and got a telehealth appointment with that doctor (because by that time, my mom could barely move). That doctor, who my mom only met once before, gave me the gift of recommending hospice for my mom that Dr. Li and his team did not give.

I think City of Hope is a great facility that provides resources to those who are struggling with cancer. I hope the other oncologists there are not only knowledgeable, but compassionate as well. I unfortunately would not recommend Dr. Li if compassion is something you desire for yourself or your loved one.

Teresa Beattie

Very disappointed with care and treatment of my daughter. She was referred by her oncologist in Rancho Mirage, Ca. and much to her dismay, Dr. Daneng refuesed to treat her based on the fact her blood work and other tests showed she had neuroendocrine Tumors and canceroid tumors were unable to be found. She has had over 3 Pet scans with Gallion and her oncologist here has had her on Chemo therapy for 7 months. She was referred to the CITY OF HOPE - hopping to get the best treatment she could for this disease. He spent about 4 minutes with her and refused to treat her. Could it be because she is on Medical. Or does he just not want to deal with her case, although he is listed as the best physcian at City of Hope. WHERE IS THE HOPE !!!!