Guest guest Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 Hi all, I know others have posted about genetic testing and that insurance co's are reluctant or refusing to pay and maybee mine will also. I recently took my care to the Sylvester Cancer Center at University of Miami. After hearing " inoperable and incurable " for over a year I am now only waiting for the date of my first surgery. I may not be able to get the liver re-section but the liver surgeon will look at my liver during the colon re-section and they will take ultra-sounds while I am opened up. Today the colon surgeons nurse called me and gave me the name and # of a " Genetic Counsellor " at the hospital. After a long conversation I was happy to learn that they will have samples tested from my colon re-section and try to get my insurance to pay for complete genetic testing. This would be of great benefit to my children and even my extended family to know if it is a heriditary type of cancer. I don't have a significant family history before me though. Proven evidence of a hereditary cancer would be great ammunition for my children to get ins. co's to cover early testing as they grow older. My wife says she is giving them all a colonoscopy for their 30th B-days. I am so happy with the Sylvester Cancer Center. There is so much more help available than seeing a private onc. Although I have never been to any other Cancer Centers I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone else. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 Dale: We too,reside in Florida,unincorporated Miami-Dade,to be exact. My husband was originally diag. with stage 3. He hats 9 of 26 lymph nodes positive. He had a bowel resection, and chemo. Then they found liver mets,back to chemo and enrolled in a double blind study medVeg-F now Avastin) He received this plus 5FU/Lv/cpt11 and had excellent results. Six months later on a check up came back,both lobes of liver. Onc changed to oxi+lv+5fu+Avastin. Presently on same combos,had some protein in urine,no Avastin this week,next CAT scheduled 2/27. Onc says we are making progress. He is 72 will be 73 o St atty's day. He has lost weight,they reduced the chemo porportionately. No radiation as of yet. Has had skin cancer,twice,but presetly is clear of that. Our onc is associated with the Onclology and Hematology group of South Florida and is in the Baptist Hosptial medical building. We have made inquiries about xeloda and the new Novartis Avastin pill form but our onc. wants us to finish this cycle. Insurance constraints this year have us paying 20% so we have asked him to schedule the CATS further apart and since we had both CAT & PET scans in Dec. he agreed to do just the CAT for now,then he will determine where he wants to go from there. We did think abut Sylvester but we live here,I don't drive and Dr. Muina has an excellent reputation and he and his compatriots keep up with everything. Stay well,hope your tests prove negative but your wife has the best ever idea tess on 30th BDays great gift.life. Nick & Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 No I havn't seen him ,but I will keep the name. Dr.Levi at University of Miami will be taking the senic tour while I am opened up for the colon re-section on Mon. Dr. Ardalan (oncologist) said that Levi is the best liver surgeon at U of M. My case worker for the insurance company also had very high regards for Dr. Levi also. If he determine that My liver is in-operable I will seek another op[inion. Thanks for the info. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Dale, Just wondered if you had seen Dr. Donoway at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood for a surgery consult? He has a reputation for being pretty agressive in liver surgery. Peace, Mark's Wife genetic testing Hi all, I know others have posted about genetic testing and that insurance co's are reluctant or refusing to pay and maybee mine will also. I recently took my care to the Sylvester Cancer Center at University of Miami. After hearing " inoperable and incurable " for over a year I am now only waiting for the date of my first surgery. I may not be able to get the liver re-section but the liver surgeon will look at my liver during the colon re-section and they will take ultra-sounds while I am opened up. Today the colon surgeons nurse called me and gave me the name and # of a " Genetic Counsellor " at the hospital. After a long conversation I was happy to learn that they will have samples tested from my colon re-section and try to get my insurance to pay for complete genetic testing. This would be of great benefit to my children and even my extended family to know if it is a heriditary type of cancer. I don't have a significant family history before me though. Proven evidence of a hereditary cancer would be great ammunition for my children to get ins. co's to cover early testing as they grow older. My wife says she is giving them all a colonoscopy for their 30th B-days. I am so happy with the Sylvester Cancer Center. There is so much more help available than seeing a private onc. Although I have never been to any other Cancer Centers I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone else. Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Dale- best wishes for a sucessful surgery and smooth recovery. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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