Scouty-have question about UNC hospital

Devasted

husband dx with stage iv rectal cancer 6/09. just completed 6 weeks xeloda, radiation.
next is ct scan an ultrasound (in chapel hill, i believe)

would appreciate any input.

thanks

scouty

Been away
Sorry I missed your post. What oncologists is he seeing? I think they are moving into the new cancer center, an amazing state of the art facility all paid for with taxpayers dollars since it is a state supported hospital, YES "GOVERNMENT FUNDED AND BE VERY SCARED".

I ended up at UNC for my second opinion and have been extremely pleased with my experiences the last 5 plus years. I see Dr Stephen Bernard as my onc and Dr Meyers did my surgery. What else can I help you with about it?

Again I'm sorry I missed your post earlier in the week.

Lisa P.

tootsie1

scouty said:

Been away
Sorry I missed your post. What oncologists is he seeing? I think they are moving into the new cancer center, an amazing state of the art facility all paid for with taxpayers dollars since it is a state supported hospital, YES "GOVERNMENT FUNDED AND BE VERY SCARED".

I ended up at UNC for my second opinion and have been extremely pleased with my experiences the last 5 plus years. I see Dr Stephen Bernard as my onc and Dr Meyers did my surgery. What else can I help you with about it?

Again I'm sorry I missed your post earlier in the week.

Lisa P.

Yep
Yes, they are getting ready to move into the new center. My son just completed his radiation therapy training there.

*hugs*
Gail

Devasted

scouty said:

Been away
Sorry I missed your post. What oncologists is he seeing? I think they are moving into the new cancer center, an amazing state of the art facility all paid for with taxpayers dollars since it is a state supported hospital, YES "GOVERNMENT FUNDED AND BE VERY SCARED".

I ended up at UNC for my second opinion and have been extremely pleased with my experiences the last 5 plus years. I see Dr Stephen Bernard as my onc and Dr Meyers did my surgery. What else can I help you with about it?

Again I'm sorry I missed your post earlier in the week.

Lisa P.

Thanks Scouty

His oncologist is in Wilmington along with his rad. onc. He was referred to
Chapel Hill when the PET Scan was positive for liver mets. Dr. Ben Calvo
is the Dr. he saw at UNC. After reviewing the scans said surgery isn't an option
at this time. He has since had xeloda / radiation for 5 1/2 weeks. Had an
EUS at Chapel Hill to establish a baseline. We asked for a progonsis an they
said we don't know. Just have to wait an see how the chemo is tolerated and
see how things progress.

He meets with onc. tomorrow, next CT Scan and EUS soon (I would think)
Guess we'll see what those tests show and move on. The prelim. plan is next--
3 months Folox / Avastin and then surgery (colon / liver?) Unless that changes tomorrow??

He has tolerated the first part of this treatment very well. We were just so
afraid because it was such a shock and had no idea what to expect. And we checked
the stats on the internet and I believe that was a mistake..or at least I hope it was.

I can't tell you how much this site has helped. It has been a great source of comfort
to me during a very difficult time. It is so encouraging! Thanks!

Devasted

tootsie1 said:

Yep
Yes, they are getting ready to move into the new center. My son just completed his radiation therapy training there.

*hugs*
Gail

Thanks
We were there in June, should be visiting soon. Didn't even know about the new center.
Thanks for your post. This site has been great!

teresa7374

scouty said:

Been away
Sorry I missed your post. What oncologists is he seeing? I think they are moving into the new cancer center, an amazing state of the art facility all paid for with taxpayers dollars since it is a state supported hospital, YES "GOVERNMENT FUNDED AND BE VERY SCARED".

I ended up at UNC for my second opinion and have been extremely pleased with my experiences the last 5 plus years. I see Dr Stephen Bernard as my onc and Dr Meyers did my surgery. What else can I help you with about it?

Again I'm sorry I missed your post earlier in the week.

Lisa P.

unc
hi, i'm considering going to duke university for an opinion, but saw your post and now i'm wondering if unc would be the best place. is it in chapel hill? I am a beginner at all of this but i do have stage iv with mets to the liver and lungs. therefore i have a long road ahead.

teresa7374

Devasted said:

Thanks Scouty

His oncologist is in Wilmington along with his rad. onc. He was referred to
Chapel Hill when the PET Scan was positive for liver mets. Dr. Ben Calvo
is the Dr. he saw at UNC. After reviewing the scans said surgery isn't an option
at this time. He has since had xeloda / radiation for 5 1/2 weeks. Had an
EUS at Chapel Hill to establish a baseline. We asked for a progonsis an they
said we don't know. Just have to wait an see how the chemo is tolerated and
see how things progress.

He meets with onc. tomorrow, next CT Scan and EUS soon (I would think)
Guess we'll see what those tests show and move on. The prelim. plan is next--
3 months Folox / Avastin and then surgery (colon / liver?) Unless that changes tomorrow??

He has tolerated the first part of this treatment very well. We were just so
afraid because it was such a shock and had no idea what to expect. And we checked
the stats on the internet and I believe that was a mistake..or at least I hope it was.

I can't tell you how much this site has helped. It has been a great source of comfort
to me during a very difficult time. It is so encouraging! Thanks!

just dx with stage iv with mets to liver and lungs.
I have 6 spots on my liver and 2 small spots on my lung. i am a 43 yr. old female and like you i am devastated. i am actually in great shape for my age and healthy otherwise. my doctors will start chemo this week to try and shrink tumors. i would like us to exchange information if possible.

scouty

teresa7374 said:

unc
hi, i'm considering going to duke university for an opinion, but saw your post and now i'm wondering if unc would be the best place. is it in chapel hill? I am a beginner at all of this but i do have stage iv with mets to the liver and lungs. therefore i have a long road ahead.

Yes UNC is in Chapel Hill
Only about 8 miles from Duke. We are lucky in NC to have 3 comprehensive cancer centers (UNC, Duke, and Wake Forest). You can't go wrong with any one of them. I chose UNC because it was a public hospital and my insurance covers charges better along with them having a highly regarded GI cancer group. I have to admit I am a big UNC sports fan (my Dad played basketball there and I was born in Chapel Hill) and thought it would help me fight the cancer surrounded by Carolina blue "stuff".

I am celebrating a birthday today that I never imagined I would 5 years ago. In 2004, I was on chemo with no hope of surgery with stage IV rectal cancer (mets to liver and left lung). Ignore the stats and it's good they aren't giving you a prognosis. Mine was 2-3 years and boy were they WRONG!!!!

GET 2nd opinons now!!! So many wait until it's almost too late. I'd be dead for sure today had I not gone to UNC for one in 2004.

Let me know how else I can help both of you.

Lisa P.

scouty

Devasted said:

Thanks Scouty

His oncologist is in Wilmington along with his rad. onc. He was referred to
Chapel Hill when the PET Scan was positive for liver mets. Dr. Ben Calvo
is the Dr. he saw at UNC. After reviewing the scans said surgery isn't an option
at this time. He has since had xeloda / radiation for 5 1/2 weeks. Had an
EUS at Chapel Hill to establish a baseline. We asked for a progonsis an they
said we don't know. Just have to wait an see how the chemo is tolerated and
see how things progress.

He meets with onc. tomorrow, next CT Scan and EUS soon (I would think)
Guess we'll see what those tests show and move on. The prelim. plan is next--
3 months Folox / Avastin and then surgery (colon / liver?) Unless that changes tomorrow??

He has tolerated the first part of this treatment very well. We were just so
afraid because it was such a shock and had no idea what to expect. And we checked
the stats on the internet and I believe that was a mistake..or at least I hope it was.

I can't tell you how much this site has helped. It has been a great source of comfort
to me during a very difficult time. It is so encouraging! Thanks!

Sounds good
You are doing the right thing getting the second opinion and setting baselines. Calvo is very talented and highly regarded so that is good too.

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. If you look to your right from the parking deck you can't miss the new part of the hospital that will be the North Carolina Cancer Center (the only one in the state and one of the best in the country).

Let me know how tomorrow goes.

Lisa P.