Cancer center of america

sharyond
sharyond Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I want to get a second opinion on my treatment for breast cancer. Has anybody heard of Cancer center of america in Zion, Il

are they any good. I live in New york and heard good and bad things about Sloan Kettering

do not know if I should go to Illinois for cancer center or try big ny hospital

Comments

  • epgnyc
    epgnyc Member Posts: 137
    #2
    I don't know anyone who has been to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (have just seen the TV ads), but I too live in NYC and am being treated at Sloan-Kettering (I was diagnosed in May 2002). I also have three friends who have been treated there as well and we all have had excellent experiences with MSK. I have found the doctors to be excellent and obviously the level of care is top-notch....they're voted the #2 cancer center in the U.S., M.D. Anderson in Texas being #1. I had three surgeries there (two for the breast cancer and a third to remove my ovaries) and the hospital itself was great. I can't say enough about the doctors....I'd follow them anywhere. I realize everyone has opinions, but I think you should at least explore MSK. We're so lucky to have one the country's top cancer hospitals on our doorstep when many people have to travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to get top care. I'm beginning to sound like a commercial, sorry. But you should at least see someone there and get an opinion. If you want specific doctor's names, I'd be happy to give them to you. Good luck to you no matter what your decision and where you end up. The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your doctors and your treatment. Ellen
  • sharyond
    sharyond Member Posts: 2
    #3
    epgnyc said:

    I don't know anyone who has been to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (have just seen the TV ads), but I too live in NYC and am being treated at Sloan-Kettering (I was diagnosed in May 2002). I also have three friends who have been treated there as well and we all have had excellent experiences with MSK. I have found the doctors to be excellent and obviously the level of care is top-notch....they're voted the #2 cancer center in the U.S., M.D. Anderson in Texas being #1. I had three surgeries there (two for the breast cancer and a third to remove my ovaries) and the hospital itself was great. I can't say enough about the doctors....I'd follow them anywhere. I realize everyone has opinions, but I think you should at least explore MSK. We're so lucky to have one the country's top cancer hospitals on our doorstep when many people have to travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to get top care. I'm beginning to sound like a commercial, sorry. But you should at least see someone there and get an opinion. If you want specific doctor's names, I'd be happy to give them to you. Good luck to you no matter what your decision and where you end up. The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your doctors and your treatment. Ellen

    thanks for your reply

    would you be willing to pass along your DRs name

    thanks
  • sevey
    sevey Member Posts: 184
    #4
    Hello There,
    I have heard a lot of good reports about the Cancer Center of America>Never been there myself, but I do know that friends of mine who went there thought it was wonderfull. They treat not just your cancer, but emotionally they are there for you as well. Yet where you go that makes you most comfertable is the best for you. If I were to have a choice I would go to CCOA. However this is entirely your decision & we will be here for you wherever you go. I will definately be praying for you.
    God Bless
    Love Cathy
    P.S. CCoA is the same place you referred to in case I confused you.
  • epgnyc
    epgnyc Member Posts: 137
    #5
    sharyond said:

    thanks for your reply

    would you be willing to pass along your DRs name

    thanks

    My surgeon was Dr. Alexandra Heerdt. She's great and is very sweet...very unsurgeon-like tempermentally. And my medical oncologist is Dr. Mark Robson....whom I adore. He's just the nicest man - very direct but extremely calm and sympathetic and with a sense of humor, which suited me to a tee. My surgical oncologist (did the bi-lateral ovarian surgery) was Dr. Nadeem Abu-Rustum, who is the Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery, and he also was wonderful and kind. My several friends who have been treated at MSK see: Jeanne Petrek (Director of Surgical Procedures) and Mary Gemignani, who does both breast and gynecological surgeries. Petrek has an especially excellent reputation and my two of my friends who see her said they'd never go to anyone else. For oncologists they variously see Clifford Hudis who is Chief of Breast Cancer Medecine (excellent but not much of a bedside manner I hear), Teresa Gilewski who two of my friends swear by (but she's tough!) and Maria Theodoulou, who is universally loved by the women I know who see her. Both Beryl McCormick and Karen Schupak (Chief of Radiation Oncology) were liked a lot as well. The only one I would not recommend is Dr. Peter Cordeiro, Chief of Pastic Surgery and Reconstruction at MSK. My friend who saw him left in the middle of her reconstruction (during the expansion process) because he was not particularly nice to her. She ended up finishing the process at NYU Medical Center. Unless you have excellent insurance (I didn't) it can be expensive goint to MSK, but I don't regret it for a moment. Because of financial concerns, after my 3 surgeries and 6 mos. of chemo at MSK, I ended up doing my radiation at NY Presbyterian. I had my MSK oncologist's blessings and he helped to steer me to someone he thought highly of. I hope this helps. If you do end up going to CTCOA for a second opinion, I'd love to hear what you think of their operation. Again, best of luck to you.
  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #6
    Hi sharyond:

    I can guarantee you that your treatment experience at MSK would be quite different in approach and content than what you would experience at CTCA.

    I did not have treatment at CTCA but did have a consult with them at their Flagship facility in Zion. My only reason for not traveling there for chemo was the distance and I didn't want to be away from my family at the time. School was still in session and I knew my son would worry a lot if I was away, etc.. Mainly, I was not nearly as educated back then as I am today about treatment and methods, etc.. There ARE more innovative (and better) methods of treatment. CTCA doesn't employ what I refer to as the "barbaric push" of the red devil (adriamycin). CTCA uses a method with far fewer and less dramatic side effects, generally resulting in less long term healthy tissue damage and complications as well.

    I have said many times and will state here again, that if I should ever have cancer again, I will go only to CTCA for treatment.

    I know of several people who were sent home by their doctor's and told to get their affairs in order...just wait to die. They went to CTCA instead and are still here today and very healthy. They learned healthier lifestyles, eating habits and stress reduction methods at CTCA which they absolutely swear by.

    Not that CTCA can save everyone, but they certainly make the journey of treatment and beyond a far more caring, respectful, humane and
    less frightening experience. I'd highly recommend that you call them and check them out to see if you feel that their approach is for you.

    They offer private, well appointed rooms, with private bath. Several restaurants to choose from, where family may dine (free of charge) with you. They also offer ND services, and they provide your nutritional supplements free of charge, as insurance companies do not cover them...they even send you home with a generous supply...a personally tailored exercise program, personally tailored healthy diet, Yoga, meditation, spiritual nourishment of all kind, in addition to personal and family counseling.

    In addition to all this and treating one like a real human being with concerns, issues and needs beyond one's cancer/treatment, they will also cover your cost of travel to their facility, for initial consult as well as follow up treatment (train/plane). Inexpensive family lodging is nearby and the hospital shuttle will pick up your friends/family and transport them to and from the hospital, etc.. It's a very unique and amazing approach to cancer and it's treatment/management...particularly in today's traditional medical community where profit and cost cutting rule. Certainly something to think about.

    You can find out more for yourself with a phone call or by visiting their website:www.cancertreatmentcentersofamerica.com). Their toll free phone number will be at the top of their homepage. When you call you will speak with a cancer counselor and he/she will assist you from there. Definitely a cut above what's traditionally available to cancer patients. They also are very innovative and offer trials, etc. as well. Over 3 years ago when I was diagnosed, they were already employing the method of testing cancer cells in the lab to find out specifically which drugs worked best for a particular person's cancer! So, beyond their putting the "person" first there, they are also trailblazer's, medically and nutritionally. They accept almost every type of insurance known, which they will verify and work out for you. I understand that they are also very generous in forgiving "deductibles" as well.

    Hope that helps you some in deciding whether to check CTCA out for another opinion. I'm sure there may be "nay sayers" re CTCA, out there somewhere, but as far as I'm concerned, they've got it ALL OVER everyone else.

    I had 2nd and 3rd opinions at Fox Chase in Philadelphia, as well as MSK and I wasn't impressed with either facility, although I had sort of expected to be, just on name alone.

    Most important is to take your time and have treatment where you feel most comfortable...where you have the most confidence in the doctor's and staff. Also, researching different treatment approaches can help you make your best decision, in addition to those important 2nd opinions.

    Good luck to you.

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink
  • besci
    besci Member Posts: 9
    #7
    Search them on the web. I went to a Tijuana clinic 14 years ago, have been cancer free since. Questions? Email me.
  • woddy
    woddy Member Posts: 16
    #8
    epgnyc said:

    I don't know anyone who has been to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (have just seen the TV ads), but I too live in NYC and am being treated at Sloan-Kettering (I was diagnosed in May 2002). I also have three friends who have been treated there as well and we all have had excellent experiences with MSK. I have found the doctors to be excellent and obviously the level of care is top-notch....they're voted the #2 cancer center in the U.S., M.D. Anderson in Texas being #1. I had three surgeries there (two for the breast cancer and a third to remove my ovaries) and the hospital itself was great. I can't say enough about the doctors....I'd follow them anywhere. I realize everyone has opinions, but I think you should at least explore MSK. We're so lucky to have one the country's top cancer hospitals on our doorstep when many people have to travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to get top care. I'm beginning to sound like a commercial, sorry. But you should at least see someone there and get an opinion. If you want specific doctor's names, I'd be happy to give them to you. Good luck to you no matter what your decision and where you end up. The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your doctors and your treatment. Ellen

    Have you ever heard of Dr. Gary Schwartz at Sloan kettering, NYC. I have heard of very unhappy experiences at that hospital and people left there to go to other hospitals. If you or know someone who has been treated by him would you please let me know.Was family or patient only able to speak with him only on Tuesdays treatment day? Trying to find out as much as I can about him. Thank you, Woddy

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