This just seems so trivial..However......

Jahnsart
Jahnsart Member Posts: 41
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I was at Mayo yesterday for my second opinion. The difference between Mayo and my Onc Surgeon are night and day...The doctors at Mayo were thorough and very informative…They didn’t sugar coat any of the struggles which I am about to undergo, or tell me “don’t worry”. I have chosen them as my partners in helping me defeat this foe, and am concerned with one thing the doctor said, When discussing the Robot Surgery, he was in opposition with the Onc Surgeon on the use of it, as opposed to the traditional surgery, which is much more invasive…The Meat of the story is this; The Mayo surgeon told me that I would have a hole in my soft palate and that they would take care of that later…My Onc Surgeon was going to just do, one operation, and finish it all up at once…I don’t want to go through more than one surgery if I can help it…I want to do it, One and Done, if I can….I don’t care about the Mandibulotomy if it will do the job in one fell swoop…Since I don’t know much about this subject, I am not sure what to do…I think I would really want to have only one operation, no matter what I have to go through following the procedure….I would appreciate any advise anyone would care to offer…

Comments

  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #2
    Done in One
    I would first start by checking out the doctors. Does the OncSurgeon do this type of procedure often, say 2-3 times a week or more? Or do they only do this sporadically? How current is the technology at both facilities? Are both doctors Board Certified? Believe it or not this does make a difference.

    If possible, talk to some of their previous and/or current patients and find out from them what the scoop really is. The Mayo Clinic is usually ranked in the Top 10 Hospitals and Medical Facilities in the country each year, for good reason.

    Ask as many questions of both doctors until you are satisfied and comfortable with the answers. While it may be tempting to do a "Done in One" procedure, ask the doctor why they don't want to do it that way and listen, really listen, to what they are telling you. Only then will you be able to make a good, informed decision about what is truly right for you.

    Good luck and God Bless!

    Peace,
    Teresa
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi Jahn
    I been to the Mayo clinic in AZ and I loved it and the doctors there who were so very helpful to me, I believe they are better than MD Anderson in my opinion. I had a very bad sinus infection that all most killed me last year and all my local doctors and the doctors at MD Anderson were tell me my cancer was back. But the doctors at Mayo said they did not see any cancer just a very bad sinus infection, after a few treatment of antibiotic the infection was gone and I was better again and they were right I don’t have cancer.

    Wishing you all the best
    Hondo

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