Re: group's opinion on dr.

[Guest guest]

I agree with Priscilla's advice that your wife seems to be

receiving excellent care. Many posts seem to involve complex

situations, and some seem to hint of uncertainty and/or uneasiness

regarding their current doctors. In newly diagnosed cases we would

point out that a major cancer center is more likely to have the most

up to date therapy available if the patient has the option of going

to one. Local hospitals/treatment can vary widely, to " just as good "

as a major cancer center to " not so good " . This may explain the view

of some of us. Hope this helps.

Best,

Ed

[Guest guest]

We go to a LOCAL center in Erie, PA Our oncologist Dr. Jan Rothman is just

super.

The nurses and all know us. I am VERY comfortable calling with concerns etc.

But should we ever need to we are also 90 minutes from Roswell in Buffalo

Cleveland Clinic and Pittsburgh. My family lives near Dana Farber and Phil's

lives near Hopkins so we are pretty well covered. I agree with Priscilla

you

simply need an oncologist who is skilled knowledgeable HUMBLE and willing to

do all he/she can for you.

If that person is found at a local center rather than a major one so be it.

Narice

[Guest guest]

I second Narice's and others comments. I am now being treated at a

comprehenive cancer center because I have moved. For a year, I was

treated by an oncologist in a group oncology practice of 6

oncologists outside Washington DC, rather than at a hospital based

major cancer center. I was pleased. Being in a big city, however I

think makes a difference. The oncologist was part of a group, and he

saw mostly the patients the GI related cancers, rather than having to

deal with everything. I had the advantage of access to some

excellent surgeons and great post surgical care at one of the major

hospitals in the area.

As is often the case, it takes a bit of time to get to know your doc

and them to know you, your concerns, level of knowledge etc. That is

an advantage of staying with an oncologist that you are pleased

with. Mine was up to date, saw me quickly when warrented,

participated in clinical trials, sent me for second opinions when I

wanted to consider treatment that he was not enthusiastic about (and

changed his mind when others supported my ideas).

Best wishes,

Kris

[Guest guest]

I think that you have to do what is right for you, and that may be

very different than what is right for someone else.The important

thing is that your wife feels comfortable with her onc and that she

has confidence in him/her. This disease gets way too personal to not

feel comfortable talking to your medical caregivers regardless of

what size center they are affiliated with.

> Ive told everyone about my wife having cancer for over 6years and

> aboiut her 3 recurrences. Now she has a spot on her liver (again)

and

> one on her pelvis bone.

> My question to the group is..

> For the last 7 years she has been treated at a local cancer. The

dr.

> has done very good by her concidering that her colon cancer went to

> her liver after the first year (its now almost 5 years since then).

> Everyone seems to be telling most of the people to go to a major

> cancer center. Is it so bad that my wife gets treated at a local

one?

> I have my doubts and getting my wife to go to another dr. would

> REALLY be a fight. If this dr. was out of options i would take her

> ANYWHERE. But id like to get the opinion from as many of you that

wish

> to respond, just for my knowledge.

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

Your wife's long term survival in the fight against this disease is an

inspiration to all of us in the group. Obviously your oncologist is aggressive

and

is connected with good surgeons and other doctors. I would say that due due

your wife's successes in the battle against this disease and if you are both

comfortable with this oncologist ,keep him. The problem I had with the private

oncologist that I was seeing was his acceptance that my disease was " terminal "

and he had limited rescources available to him. Dale M.