Cleveland Clinic advice? why are things are taking so long in Youngstown?

my dad was diagnosed stageIV A in head and neck lymphs, nodes, submandibular and above where his larynx used to be. he is a total laryngectomee 20 years now and the cancer is back. he is 85. it has been since early summer for the discovery and has been such a long process to this point. his PET and set up with his oncologists have been addressed but thats it. he has no RAD or chemo schedules as of yet and today we are going for his feeding tube and port consult. monday he will be getting his markings and making his mask. i took it upon myself to schedule an appointment at cleveland clinic to be seen by the specialists there on tuesday sept 18th due to the lack of urgency where we currently live. i dont want this to interrupt the order of things or for it to cause him to lose his place in line but i feel the second opinions might be well worth the trip there on tuesday. after reading some of the posts here, some patients seem to expedite their treatments rather quickly. we may have dealt with cancer before but there was only 30 RAD treatments and then the laryngectomee 5 years later so we are relatively new to the process we are facing this time with chemo/RAD combined. has anyone dealt with treatment at cleveland clinic here? and does anyone have any advice about getting a second opinion? blessings to all. check back later to update bio and such. i do have knowledge of laryngectomee living as it has become a way of life for my dad for 20 years so any advice i can offer anyone is welcomed. being an advocate would be my way of paying it forward, so to speak. well wishes everyone...Lisa

Comments

  • PatDarago
    PatDarago Member Posts: 14
    Cleveland clinic
    Hi Lisa ,
    I was and still am treated at the clinic for base of the tongue cancer for the last two and half years. I am very impressed with them and all the doctors. I see all my doctors on the same day and that really helps
    Good luck !!!!!
    pat
  • blackswampboy
    blackswampboy Member Posts: 341
    best wishes
    FWIW, U.S. News & World Report ranks Cleveland Clinic #6 nationally for cancer treatment.
    anyway, very highly regarded.

    http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/oh/cleveland-clinic-foundation-6410670/cancer
  • PatDarago
    PatDarago Member Posts: 14
    Lisa ,
    Also ranked second

    Lisa ,
    Also ranked second in ear,nose throat department in the country. Same report
    Good luck
  • RayandLisa
    RayandLisa Member Posts: 4
    Clevland Clinic thanks
    @Pat and @black....thanks for your input. this is a busy week for dad. he gets his PEG and port, his markings and his mask and sees both oncologists in prep for treatments next week. his additional health issues give me cause to seek a second opinion for sure. he is otherwise very independent and mobile. i feel fortunate to be within such a close distance to a facility as highly regarded as cleveland clinic. we will most likely move forward with treatments here at home but gaining the knowledge of the experts there sure doesnt hurt. again, thanks so much. kind regards, Lisa and Ray