Transferred my medical care from Tufts to Dana Farber - Boston
Boston67
Member Posts: 61
Hi,
I met Monday with Dada Farber in Boston and immediately transferred my medical care to Dana Farber. Dana Farber specializes not only in Cancer, but is espophageal cancer. My Primary Doctor is Dr Kimmie Ng, smart focused and caring. At Tufts, the Radiation oncologist, and MD had seven patients with EC, Dr. Ng said, "a lot" (and she added emphasis). Dana Farber's facilities are better because they are better funded. New buildings and all the equipment they need. Tufts did had a visiting trailer for PET scans and sent patients elsewhere for endoscopic untrasound examinations.
I am a patient is Dana Farber's Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatmnat Center. At Tufts I was a patient of their Hemotology/oncology center. Far greater specialities, including EC, at Dana Farber and far greater depth.
A j-tube was discouraged at Tufts and strongly encouraged at Dana Farber.
There were fully prepared for me and I spent the afternoon into the evening and time seem limited. I was flooded with material, explanations and efficiency. They valet park patients cars for free, my hospital card was handed me when I arrived for my appointment. My doctor was focused and quickly caused things to happen that she wished to happen quickly.
A different treatment is being proposed for me at Dana Farber, and more focused on both my EC and my stage. This is what they do at Dana Farber.
I am grateful to my friends Jim and Cathy Stone and their friend Thalia Schlosenger for geeting me a prompt appointment at the right place for me since I live nearby. I thiunk I will be delayed about a week for confirming tests, the J tube surgery and some other necessary things that are all being very promptly arranged. Even my insurance for a second opinion (now new treatment facility) had been pre-approved by them before I arrived.
Trated in my sports car today for a car my lovely girlfriend Natthana car drive and holds more then two people. My son visited me last night to help me sort out my affairs as I am doing with my daughter and three siblings. A wonderful meeting between a proud Dad and his son. I have mostly moments of grace and joy. I am beginning to reach out and tell friends and former associates and my heart is warmed by the impact people tell me I have had on their lives. This joy will be daily and for quite awhile.
I can eat some almost solid food with pain management and am gaining weight. I am tired a lot, but with EC I have an aexcuse for naps and to be lazy. I was lazy for over a year without excuse! Big bonus now.
Keith Rodney
Boston age 67
Stage IV EC.
I met Monday with Dada Farber in Boston and immediately transferred my medical care to Dana Farber. Dana Farber specializes not only in Cancer, but is espophageal cancer. My Primary Doctor is Dr Kimmie Ng, smart focused and caring. At Tufts, the Radiation oncologist, and MD had seven patients with EC, Dr. Ng said, "a lot" (and she added emphasis). Dana Farber's facilities are better because they are better funded. New buildings and all the equipment they need. Tufts did had a visiting trailer for PET scans and sent patients elsewhere for endoscopic untrasound examinations.
I am a patient is Dana Farber's Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatmnat Center. At Tufts I was a patient of their Hemotology/oncology center. Far greater specialities, including EC, at Dana Farber and far greater depth.
A j-tube was discouraged at Tufts and strongly encouraged at Dana Farber.
There were fully prepared for me and I spent the afternoon into the evening and time seem limited. I was flooded with material, explanations and efficiency. They valet park patients cars for free, my hospital card was handed me when I arrived for my appointment. My doctor was focused and quickly caused things to happen that she wished to happen quickly.
A different treatment is being proposed for me at Dana Farber, and more focused on both my EC and my stage. This is what they do at Dana Farber.
I am grateful to my friends Jim and Cathy Stone and their friend Thalia Schlosenger for geeting me a prompt appointment at the right place for me since I live nearby. I thiunk I will be delayed about a week for confirming tests, the J tube surgery and some other necessary things that are all being very promptly arranged. Even my insurance for a second opinion (now new treatment facility) had been pre-approved by them before I arrived.
Trated in my sports car today for a car my lovely girlfriend Natthana car drive and holds more then two people. My son visited me last night to help me sort out my affairs as I am doing with my daughter and three siblings. A wonderful meeting between a proud Dad and his son. I have mostly moments of grace and joy. I am beginning to reach out and tell friends and former associates and my heart is warmed by the impact people tell me I have had on their lives. This joy will be daily and for quite awhile.
I can eat some almost solid food with pain management and am gaining weight. I am tired a lot, but with EC I have an aexcuse for naps and to be lazy. I was lazy for over a year without excuse! Big bonus now.
Keith Rodney
Boston age 67
Stage IV EC.
0
Comments
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Thank youunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
Hi,
yes I will indeed share the details of my treatment with you and this board. Thanks for the side effects into. I will go there. Not looking forward to the ride of my life, but it what I must do and I do it with courage.
I take oxycodone (5mg)and prochlorperazine ( 5mg) for nausea. I take both pretty rregularally, but only as needed and in anticipation of eating. The fear of pain was a real deterant to eating.
J tube makes me feel safe if I can't eat or getbfluids during treatment. I meet monday with my Dana Farber primary doctor, Dr Kimmie NG, for more detailed discussion, review of past tests, plan for treatment and scheduling of any tests they want or want to redo. The change will cost me two weeks, but worth it.
Warm Regards,
Keith0 -
Dana Farber
Dear Keith,
I am so glad for you that you are going to a excellent cancer center. I know from experience that it makes all the difference in the world. I truly believe had we not gone for that second opinion my husband would not have made it. I look forward to hearing about your plan and experiences there.
Thank you for your kind posts regarding Jim and I.
Sincerely,
Linda0 -
Keith,
wishing you the best
Keith,
wishing you the best with your treatment---sounds like you have a positive attitude and you are seeing a silver lining of dealing with EC. A suggestion that has helped my dad (the one with EC), my mom and family & friends was starting a Caring Bridge web site. It make s all the communicating more streamlined and if family/friends want to sign up for an email notification when you update the site and they can leave you messages that my parents found very encouraging. Many wanted to know how my dad was but they didn't want to keep emailing and calling---it really was a blessing for them... It's free too. Here is the website if you want more info. http://www.caringbridge.org/
Prayers for your journey
kim0 -
Tahnk youK_ann1015 said:Keith,
wishing you the best
Keith,
wishing you the best with your treatment---sounds like you have a positive attitude and you are seeing a silver lining of dealing with EC. A suggestion that has helped my dad (the one with EC), my mom and family & friends was starting a Caring Bridge web site. It make s all the communicating more streamlined and if family/friends want to sign up for an email notification when you update the site and they can leave you messages that my parents found very encouraging. Many wanted to know how my dad was but they didn't want to keep emailing and calling---it really was a blessing for them... It's free too. Here is the website if you want more info. http://www.caringbridge.org/
Prayers for your journey
kim
Thank you
Keith0 -
Grand update
Keith,
I am very happy that you were able to transfer everything to DFCC and will receive mose specialized treatment. You are fortunate to be near this great facility. I wish you the very best and I am looking forward to more updates regarding your treatment.
God Bless you.
Rob0 -
Thank you RobJimsBrother said:Grand update
Keith,
I am very happy that you were able to transfer everything to DFCC and will receive mose specialized treatment. You are fortunate to be near this great facility. I wish you the very best and I am looking forward to more updates regarding your treatment.
God Bless you.
Rob
Hi Rob,
Thank you for your kind comment and words of encouragement.
God bless you and your brother as well.
Keith0
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