San Diego Cancer Centers?

menright
menright Member Posts: 256 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am looking for a cancer center in San Diego, CA.

How about a good Oncologist?

I have a HAI pump installed for my liver but not currently using it for Chemo. I will need routine maintenance with Glycerin.

I have had liver resection surgery and need standard follow-up.

I am soon to have Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) on my lung and will need follow up with that and the Xeloda regimen that I will be taking for 4-months.

Any San Diego connections would be very helpful and appreciated. El Cajon to San Diego is the wider area.

Thanks,

Mike

Comments

  • biglaur
    biglaur Member Posts: 72 Member
    #2
    Moore's Cancer Center
    at UCSD. Great center, clean, professional, patient friendly. Dr. Arno Mundt (radio-oncologist) is FABULOUS!! Great guy, smart, creative...thinks waaaay outside the box. Worth a consult even if you know what you're game plan is. Infusion center is clean and as a pleasant as possible, nurses are super. I visited USC, UCLA, Hoag AND MD Anderson...VERY happy I chose UCSD (Moore's) for treatment
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #3
    You moved?
    Did your family move, Mike? I thought I remembered you living on the other side of the country. It's good to have a post from you. I've wondered how you have been doing.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #4
    UCSD Dr. Andrew
    UCSD Dr. Andrew Lowey

    http://health.ucsd.edu/cancer/patcare/hipec/

    The team at UCSD is revamping the thought of HIPEC treatment for colon cancer. I have met Dr. Lowey and liked him very much. I considered him for my oncologist even though I live 150 miles north. He also knew whom my oncologist is and recommended a similar treatment and recommended I stay at St.John Santa Monica.

    There are 5 world class research Oncologists that study Colon cancer at UCSD. The facility is top notch.

    Best Always, mike
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #5
    thxmiker said:

    UCSD Dr. Andrew
    UCSD Dr. Andrew Lowey

    http://health.ucsd.edu/cancer/patcare/hipec/

    The team at UCSD is revamping the thought of HIPEC treatment for colon cancer. I have met Dr. Lowey and liked him very much. I considered him for my oncologist even though I live 150 miles north. He also knew whom my oncologist is and recommended a similar treatment and recommended I stay at St.John Santa Monica.

    There are 5 world class research Oncologists that study Colon cancer at UCSD. The facility is top notch.

    Best Always, mike

    UCSD
    Hi Mike,

    Are you moving to the area? I don't remember where you live now- just wondering if you're moving, considering it, or will be visiting in the area.
    Anyway, I live in north east San Diego county in Fallbrook, about a 50 minute drive north of where you mentioned. My regular oncologist is Dr. Derek Helton at San Diego Cancer Center. They are in north county and have offices in Encinitas and Vista- I go to the Vista Office. I also have experience w/ Moores Cancer Center at UCSD (in La Jolla). Although my insurance doesn't let me go there for my regular oncology, I do consult with an oncologist there named Dr. Paul Fanta. My regular onc also consults back and forth w/ him on my behalf. Dr. Andrew Lowy is not actually a "regular" oncologist, but a surgeon. He is a wonderful man- he is the doctor who did my liver resection in '08. He spent a good hour with me on two different appointments answering every question my husband and I had & his bedside manner is very good- a really kind man- I was very impressed. I believe he also does HIPEC. If you need someone for your lungs, Dr. Anthony Perricone comes highly recommended- I know of two people who have gone to him and really like his expertise. Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy is a very good colorectal surgeon there, as well.
    UCSD also just merged with San Diego Cancer Center, so now my regular oncology office has better access to everyone at UCSD/Moores. UCSD has a satellite office where several of the specialists come up to Encinitas in north county once or twice a week.

    Best wishes-
    Lisa
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #6
    biglaur said:

    Moore's Cancer Center
    at UCSD. Great center, clean, professional, patient friendly. Dr. Arno Mundt (radio-oncologist) is FABULOUS!! Great guy, smart, creative...thinks waaaay outside the box. Worth a consult even if you know what you're game plan is. Infusion center is clean and as a pleasant as possible, nurses are super. I visited USC, UCLA, Hoag AND MD Anderson...VERY happy I chose UCSD (Moore's) for treatment

    Moore's
    Thanks for the ardent recommendation and information. I will be relocating to San Diego in the coming weeks and will be getting myself set up for the necessary continued care that we all deal with.

    I think I will start with UCSD.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #7
    tootsie1 said:

    You moved?
    Did your family move, Mike? I thought I remembered you living on the other side of the country. It's good to have a post from you. I've wondered how you have been doing.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    San Diego
    Gail:

    Yes my future new home will be somewhere in the San Diego area. My wife and I are excited. We were soon to be "empty nesters" so we decided to find a beach side nest.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #8
    thxmiker said:

    UCSD Dr. Andrew
    UCSD Dr. Andrew Lowey

    http://health.ucsd.edu/cancer/patcare/hipec/

    The team at UCSD is revamping the thought of HIPEC treatment for colon cancer. I have met Dr. Lowey and liked him very much. I considered him for my oncologist even though I live 150 miles north. He also knew whom my oncologist is and recommended a similar treatment and recommended I stay at St.John Santa Monica.

    There are 5 world class research Oncologists that study Colon cancer at UCSD. The facility is top notch.

    Best Always, mike

    UCSD
    Thanks for the information. I already feel informed and ready to set up this part of my new life in California.

    Sincerely,

    Mike
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #9
    lisa42 said:

    UCSD
    Hi Mike,

    Are you moving to the area? I don't remember where you live now- just wondering if you're moving, considering it, or will be visiting in the area.
    Anyway, I live in north east San Diego county in Fallbrook, about a 50 minute drive north of where you mentioned. My regular oncologist is Dr. Derek Helton at San Diego Cancer Center. They are in north county and have offices in Encinitas and Vista- I go to the Vista Office. I also have experience w/ Moores Cancer Center at UCSD (in La Jolla). Although my insurance doesn't let me go there for my regular oncology, I do consult with an oncologist there named Dr. Paul Fanta. My regular onc also consults back and forth w/ him on my behalf. Dr. Andrew Lowy is not actually a "regular" oncologist, but a surgeon. He is a wonderful man- he is the doctor who did my liver resection in '08. He spent a good hour with me on two different appointments answering every question my husband and I had & his bedside manner is very good- a really kind man- I was very impressed. I believe he also does HIPEC. If you need someone for your lungs, Dr. Anthony Perricone comes highly recommended- I know of two people who have gone to him and really like his expertise. Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy is a very good colorectal surgeon there, as well.
    UCSD also just merged with San Diego Cancer Center, so now my regular oncology office has better access to everyone at UCSD/Moores. UCSD has a satellite office where several of the specialists come up to Encinitas in north county once or twice a week.

    Best wishes-
    Lisa

    San Diego
    Lisa:

    Great information! I will be working down in El Cajon and living somewhere once I sell my Connecticut home and find a new one. My kids are both off to college so I don't need to worry about schools. Where are the good towns to live? I like to golf and my wife and I will appreciate a short drive to the beach....any ideas?

    I will begin to get to know UCSD and utilize them as necessary. I thought I was done...but that is not how cancer works is it.

    The Moores Cancer center sound like a good place to transition to.

    Order up some sunshine....I am coming to town.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #10
    menright said:

    UCSD
    Thanks for the information. I already feel informed and ready to set up this part of my new life in California.

    Sincerely,

    Mike

    It is very expensive down
    It is very expensive down south....especially by the beach! If you find one, please get a guest house so that Lisa, Gail and I can visit! Thanks in advance!

    BTW, heading to Oceanside, CA for a week vacation this weekend!!
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #11
    menright said:

    San Diego
    Lisa:

    Great information! I will be working down in El Cajon and living somewhere once I sell my Connecticut home and find a new one. My kids are both off to college so I don't need to worry about schools. Where are the good towns to live? I like to golf and my wife and I will appreciate a short drive to the beach....any ideas?

    I will begin to get to know UCSD and utilize them as necessary. I thought I was done...but that is not how cancer works is it.

    The Moores Cancer center sound like a good place to transition to.

    Order up some sunshine....I am coming to town.

    Thanks,

    Mike

    homes in San Diego
    Hi Mike,

    How exciting that you're moving to San Diego! The sun is shining for you today- temp was about 70 today. It is pretty pricey- I have no idea how the cost of living compares to where you live in Connecticut. The closer you get to the beach and the closer you get to downtown San Diego, the more expensive it gets. Parts of north county (Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Fallbrook, and some of Escondido) are less expensive, but that wouldn't work for you if you're going to be working in El Cajon. You'll want to stick with something more inland. El Cajon has areas of new homes and some of that area around it is somewhat rural too. So, there's a mix to pick from. The weather in the El Cajon area is one of the hotter places in the county during the summer. El Cajon means "the box", so it is in kind of a box shaped canyon area. With foreclosures still happening all around, you may be able to find some pretty good deals.
    Let me know when you end up moving into the area!
    Lisa
  • dsoldano
    dsoldano Member Posts: 3
    #12
    The Moores Cancer Center is
    The Moores Cancer Center is the only NCI designated cancer center in San Diego. I am confident you will find what you are looking for there. (From an insider!)
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #13
    lisa42 said:

    homes in San Diego
    Hi Mike,

    How exciting that you're moving to San Diego! The sun is shining for you today- temp was about 70 today. It is pretty pricey- I have no idea how the cost of living compares to where you live in Connecticut. The closer you get to the beach and the closer you get to downtown San Diego, the more expensive it gets. Parts of north county (Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Fallbrook, and some of Escondido) are less expensive, but that wouldn't work for you if you're going to be working in El Cajon. You'll want to stick with something more inland. El Cajon has areas of new homes and some of that area around it is somewhat rural too. So, there's a mix to pick from. The weather in the El Cajon area is one of the hotter places in the county during the summer. El Cajon means "the box", so it is in kind of a box shaped canyon area. With foreclosures still happening all around, you may be able to find some pretty good deals.
    Let me know when you end up moving into the area!
    Lisa

    San Diego
    Lisa:

    If all goes according to plan I will arrive in two weeks, March 23rd. I will initially be living in South Mission Beach. Any knowledge of this area? I look forward to beach living for awhile.

    I look forward to being a fellow Kalifornian.

    Mike
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #14
    menright said:

    San Diego
    Lisa:

    If all goes according to plan I will arrive in two weeks, March 23rd. I will initially be living in South Mission Beach. Any knowledge of this area? I look forward to beach living for awhile.

    I look forward to being a fellow Kalifornian.

    Mike

    Mission Beach
    Hi Mike,

    I'm sure you will find the area and weather lovely. I'm pretty much a North County person- just go south every now and then to go to UCSD a couple of times a year, to Sea World, the zoo, or downtown San Diego for a Padres game or something. Sorry, I really can't help you much with info on the neighborhoods or housing in Mission Beach or that area- wish I could help more. Best wishes on the move & good luck with settling in and finding a place to live! Keep in touch-

    Lisa
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #15
    dsoldano said:

    The Moores Cancer Center is
    The Moores Cancer Center is the only NCI designated cancer center in San Diego. I am confident you will find what you are looking for there. (From an insider!)

    Moores Center NCI?
    Does NCI stand for National Cancer Institute? What does this designation mean? I will look it up online.

    I did discover that one of the doctors during my liver resection surgery at Memorial SLoan Kettering in New York has since transferred to San Diego at the Moores Cancer Center. Now suddenly it seems to be coming together nicely.

    I am arranging to meet with Dr. Paul Fanta for my Medical Oncologist team member. Any comments or knowledge about Dr. Fanta is much appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #16
    menright said:

    Moores Center NCI?
    Does NCI stand for National Cancer Institute? What does this designation mean? I will look it up online.

    I did discover that one of the doctors during my liver resection surgery at Memorial SLoan Kettering in New York has since transferred to San Diego at the Moores Cancer Center. Now suddenly it seems to be coming together nicely.

    I am arranging to meet with Dr. Paul Fanta for my Medical Oncologist team member. Any comments or knowledge about Dr. Fanta is much appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Mike

    sending a PM
    HI Mike,

    I am sending you a PM as soon as I finish posting this...

    NCI does stand for National Cancer Institute and the major cancer centers are NCI. Having it be NCI usually means that they are up on all the latest, wheras some other cancer centers may lag behind on some of the latest treatments and interventions.
    "dsoldano", who wrote above as an "insider" is a very nice lady- she was and probably still is assistant to Dr. Lowy.
    I know a friend of mine is having surgery in April by a surgeon who is fairly new to UCSD- perhaps it is the same person. If so, my friend thinks very highly of him.

    PM coming-
    Lisa

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