USPC - MD Anderson - Houston, TX

I live in Houston, TX and have had great success with my GYN/ONC for what I call phase I of USPC. From all of you, I learned USPS is not really curable, but more of a chronic illness. My doctor so informed me of the same, a couple of weeks ago. I wss diagnosed with stage IIIC USPC in April, 2010, had the total hysterectomy, 6 rounds Chemo & 30 radiation treatments. In Jan. 2011, was NED & had a full body scan, Paps, labs, etc. in July & Pelvic CT scan in Nov & still NED. In Dec. my neck was swollen, ear ache, headache, pain in arm, stress in my life, lots of tension in neck. GYN/ONC sent me for CT scan - mass in neck, spots on upper lobes of right & left lungs & 1 in brain. Referred to ENT & had needle biopsy (inconclusive) and out patient surgery last Friday (possible cancer per ENT), but waiting on results. I am impressed with both doctors, but am concerned with the 'disconnect' of their communications with each other. Example: ENT didn't even have the CT scan results when I had my first visit which was scheduled a week before. My heart sank when he asked what I was in to see him for? Well, I waited while his office got the results faxed to him and he moved forward with the examination with a whole different approach. My GYN/ONC was not aware of the scheduled needle biopsy & I don't have a clue whether he's aware I had surgery last week. He's supposed to be waiting on results so he knows how to move forward with the spots on the lungs & brain. Both doctors have lots of patients and I know I'm not the only patient on their minds, but it just seems like this stuff is dragging on while I "probably" have cancer growing in my body that I don't know how fast it grows. I guess I'm concerned about the 'disconnect'(two separate medical specialties and great doctors, but lack of communication)

Several of you reference MD Anderson in Houston. I'm from Houston but my doctors are part of the Memorial Hermann Hospital group. My GYN/ONC assures me that as long as his patients respond to treatments, they are doing exactly what MD Anderson would be doing & I will be referred to them if there comes a time when I quit responding to treatment. The doctors I've seen are so good, but I wonder if they are so focused on their own medical specialty, they fail to recognize the whole picture. Another thought in the back of my mind is last March, I had what felt like a lump in my throat - nothing visible and more annoying than a problem. I also had a slight cough & cold. I called my GYN/ONC because back then I was a paranoid cancer person. He said USPC doesn't normally progress that way (based on his experience & knowledge) & to see my family dr. I did see him & I did have walking pheumonia. Well that lump in my throat is still there & according to the most recent CT scan the mass in my neck is pressing against that area which could give that sensation. So my question - was the mass there all along & over looked? Is this something that MD Anderson doctors would have handled differently back in March.

What does MD Anderson do differently than the millions of other Oncologists. My doctor is associated with doctors at MD Anderson and my experience with Memorial Hermann Group has been great and for convenience and cost purposes I love going to the all the medical facilities that are practically in my back yard. But I do want to go where I get the best, most up to date care for USPC and whatever else is currently attacking my body.

For those of you who have used MD Anderson, please share your experiences, Doctors Names, Insurance issues, etc. Also, for the record, I was the one who posted several times in 2010 in an effort to get a diagnostic code other than 182.0 (Uterine Cancer) so my insurance would pay for my PET scan. I never got one & after months of fighting that battle I just paid for it out of my own pocket. I read over and over again from many of my fellow USPC friends what talk about their PET scans and I know all of you aren't paying them out of your pocket. PLEASE, if anyone have AETNA or United Healthcare, I'd appreciate some diagnosis code information that is accepted by the insurance companies so I can get one that is paid for. I can't afford to pay for another one out of my pocket.
Based on the outcome of my biopsy, I may be making some changes. Thank you all so much!