Got a second opinion- thank goodness!

zigswife
zigswife Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
We live in a relatively small town south of DC and have been pretty happy with our oncology surgeon and oncologist (except for him telling my husband in the hospital that people have been known to survive stage IV, as though it's pretty rare!). We were feeling like we were coordinating care between the two practitioners, without a lot of success. We were also told that if there were any mets other than in the liver, a resection would be out and we would be looking at chemo to maintain my husband as long as possible. The plan at this point is to start chemo and then rescan to see if resection is possible.

We are originally from Charlottesville, VA and had some connections at UVA so went to meet with them yesterday. It was fantastic! The new onc asked to present my husband's case at the tumor review board to see if he is a candidate for surgery now, despite some of the other potential met sites, which they would take care of while they are in there, followed by the full round of chemo afterward. Even though I'm assuming it's pretty unlikely he's ready, we were so pleased that the new onc wanted to give it a try and love the idea that they are set up to consult and communicate with each other there.

I've seen lots of people post about the benefits of getting a second or third opinion and just wanted to add in our own experience with it. As soon as we met the new onc, we were immediately comfortable and at ease with him. We felt so much hope after the consultation!

Would it be strange to tell the doctor, "You had me at tumor review board?" :)

Comments

  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #2
    Opinions
    I agree with getting as many opinions as possible, especially as reputable cancer centers like UVA, MD Anderson, John Hopkins, Sloan-Kettering, Mayo Clinic, etc. Treatments for several cancers are constantly changing and improving. Good luck and keep us up to date !!!

    I am west of Wash DC.
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #3
    Hi Zigswife!
    I don't know
    Hi Zigswife!

    I don't know where you are being treated, but I live in Upper Marlboro, MD (right outside of DC) and I'm being treated at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital. I have had nothing but a good experience since I've been there and it's been almost a year now. Feel free to PM me and we can chat some more about the doctors and surgeons, etc. Good luck to you!

    -Sheri
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    #4
    Hi Zigswife!
    I don't know
    Hi Zigswife!

    I don't know where you are being treated, but I live in Upper Marlboro, MD (right outside of DC) and I'm being treated at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital. I have had nothing but a good experience since I've been there and it's been almost a year now. Feel free to PM me and we can chat some more about the doctors and surgeons, etc. Good luck to you!

    -Sheri
  • zigswife
    zigswife Member Posts: 61
    #5
    luv3jay said:

    Hi Zigswife!
    I don't know
    Hi Zigswife!

    I don't know where you are being treated, but I live in Upper Marlboro, MD (right outside of DC) and I'm being treated at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital. I have had nothing but a good experience since I've been there and it's been almost a year now. Feel free to PM me and we can chat some more about the doctors and surgeons, etc. Good luck to you!

    -Sheri

    Thank you!
    Thank you Sheri! I'm feeling really good about UVA but always like to have some extra options just in case!

    The tumor review board said he wasn't ready for the surgery so we are going ahead with the chemo and then will rescan. They said the actual pancreas looks okay but noted something in the lymph node there. Not sure if that's better or worse...
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #6
    glad to hear it
    Hi,

    I'm so glad you and your husband went elsewhere and feel comfortable there! It makes such a difference to feel like specialists are communicating with each doesn't it? I've gone from having to be the liason between my oncologist and specialists to having them do the communicating together on my behalf (now that I changed oncologists in June).

    Best wishes and prayers for your husband's upcoming chemo!

    Lisa
  • Chew
    Chew Member Posts: 14
    #7
    Very happy to hear about
    Very happy to hear about your experience. I had my first visit with the oncologist today and walked out feeling optimistic and even excited.

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