Cancer Survivors Network

Don't try to find someone NEAR you, find someone who can beat this cancer. Much better idea. Go to a major cancer facility that has a LOT of experience in Esophageal cancer.

Dear 4law:

Dr. James D. Luketich pioneered the "Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy" procedure. He operates out of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The Hillman Cancer Center is located there as well. It is a state of the art center with all the latest in equipment.

My name is William W. Marshall. I am now into my 7th year as a Survivor of Esophageal Cancer, Stage III, (T3N1M0). I visited Philadelphia on July 3, 2003. I was operated on May 17, 2003. My wife, Loretta and I toured much of Pennsylvania while we were there.

My story in brief. I had a hiccup each time I began to eat. This went on for a couple of months, before Loretta said, "We've got to go see Dr. Acra, our family physician. "Something's wrong with you." So we called up and he saw us the next day. He suggested I have an Endoscopy. He then called Dr. Mark Ryan and scheduled an Endoscopy for me. Within 4 days I had gone from a simple "hiccup to Esophageal Cancer Stage III. Of course, I didn't know the stage immediately until all the proper tests were done, but Dr. Ryan knew what he was looking at and told me a bit about Esophageal Cancer.

I was 66 years old at the time and we were raising 4 grandchildren. Consequently, we at first ruled out leaving town, but when I found that Dr. Luketich performed the "Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy", we had second thoughts. We found a "grandkid sitter" and went to Pittsburgh for a second opinion. I was declared a "good candidate" for the Minimally Invasive procedure". We were elated because my local Thoracic surgeon had prepared me for (his words) one of the worst surgeries you would ever want to have. He is the best Thoracic Surgeon in the Tidewater area. He took all the time that I needed to fully understand just what was going on inside. He answered every question and treated me as though I were the only patient he had to see that day. He was grand. However, he was not trained to perform the "minimally invasive" procedure. I was fully prepared to undergo the "open" procedure. Now remember this was 2002. Things have improved in the last 7 years, but we're talking about "then" and this is "now". I'm not here to argue over procedure, but this is how it was for me. Dr. Hubbard said that the operation could take up to 10 hours. The first doctor might not be the one to finish it. He said plan to be in ICU for 5 days and total hospital stay about 12 days and expect to take up to 6 months to fully recuperate. He said there was a possibility of infection because the chest would be laid open for a prolonged period. So anyone reading this, please don't dispute my word, because this is "my" experience with my Thoracic surgeon. This is what I was fully prepared to undergo.

However, I had already been pre-opted for surgery and was awaiting the day of the operation, when my sister e-mailed me from Florida and asked if I had heard of Dr. Luketich . It seems he was holding a seminar in Washington, D. C. or that vicinity and was instructing other physicians about his new technique. So we called his office in Pittsburgh and were greeted in a most professional manner. Because I had already been scheduled for surgery, they worked me in quickly for a second opinion. They were careful to tell me that I should bring "all" my records and Dr. Luketich would look over them and let me know if I were a "good candidate" for this type of surgery. I took all my medical records and x-rays and "sped off" to Pittsburgh. All I needed was a "stress test" to complete our consultation. And upon having that done, I returned to his office. In no time, he called me in his office and pronounced me a "good candidate". Oh happy day--thank you Lord.

So my surgery was scheduled for May 17, 2003. I had pre-op chemo of 5-FU and Carboplatin administered through a "Bard" port. I also had radiation. The port administered the chemicals in a 96-hour continual infusion pattern. I much preferred this to having to return to the doctor's office every day for several weeks duration for the "drip" method. I had minimal side effects from my chemo. Some on this site have suffered and are presently suffering dire side effects to the point that they despair of life. I almost feel guilty saying, "minimal side effects", but each person's body responds differently. The one thing in common is that the chemo kills good and bad cells. One may not notice any side effects at the very first, but as time goes on and the chemo's cumulative effect kicks in, so also the possibility of more severe side effects.

My operation lasted 7 hours. I was in ICU one day, on a step-down unit for one day, out on the regular floor on Day 3 and after it was determined that there were "no leaks" in the sutured area, I was discharged on Day 5. I had a feeding tube which I kept in for 3 weeks. In the beginning, I could only eat a couple of tablespoonsful at one sitting. Gradually my intake capacity increased and as it did, the need for the feeding tube decreased proportionately. However, my feeding device came with a Portable pack. I could have gone anywhere I wished and took my "baby food" with me. Osmalite was the liquid nutrient. I am not sure what is considered the best liquid formulas on the market today.

My recuperative period was a textbook case. Loretta had me downtown shopping in no time. Anyone over 65 could ride the transit system for free. Loretta was a mere filly at age 64, so she had to pay. I being a mature 66, got to ride for free! I never chose to take my food with me, I just hooked myself back up once I returned to my home. Home in this case was Family House Shadyside since I was several hundred miles from home. There are 4 "family homes" specifically designated to meet the needs of the patients and/or family members. Rates are reduced and I'm certain charged according to one's ability to pay. They have a huge dining room, professional kitchen facilities, laundry area, music and computer room plus a library. A shuttle bus runs from early morning till 9:30 or so at night to ferry patients anywhere they need to go.

Incidentally, I did not need a physician's referral to make an appointment with Dr. Luketich. On the front of their website the types of insurance are listed. So anyone desiring to go there should first check to see if their insurance company is on the UPMC list of acceptable companies.
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http://findadoc.upmc.com/PhysicianBioQuery.aspx?ID=1604

I "googled" Dr. James D. Luketich and up came the page listing the pertinent address, telephone numbers, and a list of the insurance companies with whom they are affiliated. You will see that his address and other pertinent info are listed there. I note they ask that you call the office to determine if your insurance is one which qualifies you to receive treatment. The list is extremely long. To help you get started I list the address here.

University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute, Thoracic Surgery
UPMC Cancer Centers

Office Address(es):
UPMC Presbyterian, Digestive Disorders Center
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: (412) 647-7555

Map

Hillman Cancer Center
5115 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: (412) 647-7555
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Specialty:
Surgery

Sub Specialty:
Thoracic Surgery

Board Certifications:
Surgery
Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery)

Education:
Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Residency:
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowships:

Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Cornell University Medical Center , New York, NY

*Insurances Accepted:

UPMC Health Plan HMO/POS
UPMC Health Plan PPO
UPMC for Life (Medicare)
UPMC for You (Medicaid)
ASC-Flora Health Network
Aetna US Healthcare
Caresource
Cigna Healthcare
Cigna Healthcare PPO
Community LIFE
Devon Health Services, Inc.
Gateway Health Plan
Great West (One Health Plan)
Health America Advantra Medicare HMO
Health America/Health Assurance
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Highmark Complete Care
Highmark Keystone Health Plan West
Highmark PPO Blue Preferred Provider
Highmark Premier Blue
Highmark Security Blue
Highmark Select Blue
Humana ChoiceCare Network
InterGroup Network Services Corp.
Medical Assistance New Jersey
Medical Assistance of OH
Medical Assistance of PA (Access)
Medical Assistance of WV
Medicare
Preferred Healthcare Systems, Inc
Railroad Medicare
Unison (MedPlus)
United Healthcare
Vantage Health Plan
Veterans Administration
*Please call the physician's office to verify insurance coverage prior to scheduling an appointment.

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I am happy to provide this information to you. Dr. Luketich rarely performs the "open"
surgery unless the patient's condition does not warrant it. His main method of surgery is the laparoscopic procedure, the Minimally Invasive Procedure, of which he has performed well over a thousand. I have no complaints whatsoever and highly recommend him and his staff. I trust him implicitly.

Trusting this is helpful and wishing you well, I am,

William W. Marshall
AKA "William66"
Virginia Beach, VA

My Dr, Is Stephen Yang from John Hopkins.google him he is one of the best in the country and will also pick you a good team.Your primary can get you in to see him.you will not be sorry. Hopkins is a very good hospital and everyone there cares about each pat.I have stage 3-n1 and feel very confidant with my treatment so far. I have chemo every two weeks that takes up most of the day and I also now have a manpurse that gives me chemo 24-7. I go to Rad. m-f.I found out Sept 22nd I had cancer and now in my 3rd week of treatment.I should have surgery the first week of Jan.I have had very few side effects.They give plenty of just in case meds to be taken only if needed.and if you have any questions you just call a number even on weekends and a Doc will call you back in less than 15 mins.I yhave never felt so taken care of in my life and it really helps with the stress knowing they are all there for you.If you would like to talk to someone feel free to call me my cell is 443-716-6613.David High