post-chemo

duckcreek
duckcreek Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I have recently finished iv/ip chemo and now have move to the midwest and looking for a gyne/oncologist. I am having a hard time finding one within 3 hrs. of my home. I did finally find one and then found out he no longer takes care of the oncology part. He is in a sm. clinic and they do not do the chemo there. So, even tho he is an oncologist/gynecologist I am told that I would have to also have a oncologist. Does this make sense to anyone why a specialtist would no longer practice one of his specialties. I am not sure what to do. Rather I should keep looking or not. Maybe 2 dr's are better then 1 with this cancer. Any comments? I was told the only way to watch the cancer for reaccurance is through the CA-125 blood work and a C/T scan once a yr. Any comment on this?

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    I'm glad to hear you have completed your treatments. Where abouts in the midwest did you move? There might be other ladies here who are familiar with the area and can offer suggestions. I don't understand either why a specialist would eliminate such a vital part of his 'specialty', though.

    Yes, CT scans and CA125 are valuable tools, although unfortunately not 100%. I still get my CA125 monthly, and CT scans every 3-6 months. That will probably change as they come back more and more with no-evidence-of-disease. My doc may push it to every 6 months instead. Either way, for me the CA125 has been what my doctor relies on first. Mainly due to the fact that I never had a symptoms that indicated any problems. So fluctuations are normal, but a steady uphill climb could indicate a problem. And quite frankly, some CT scans haven't been that reliable, showing nothing when something was there. So, it really depends on how thorough your doctor chooses to be.
    Keep us informed. Hope you are feeling well and that your move was a positive thing for you.
    As always. . .
    Luv & Hugs!
    Monika
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
    I am from MN, where are you? I travel 2 hours to see my doc. You are right the tool used to watch for a recurrence is the CA125 and when needed a ct scan. Two doctors are better than one in my opinion. Hugs N Prayers BonnieRose
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #4
    Hi! I'm new to this website, but I too am in the Midwest - in South Dakota. If you can let us know where you are at approximately maybe we could be of help. I have to drive an hour each way to get to my doctor and treatments. I will be getting my 2nd treatment tomorrow - but can imagine your concern about keeping on top of your follow up. Best of luck. Kris
  • duckcreek
    duckcreek Member Posts: 14
    #5
    mopar said:

    I'm glad to hear you have completed your treatments. Where abouts in the midwest did you move? There might be other ladies here who are familiar with the area and can offer suggestions. I don't understand either why a specialist would eliminate such a vital part of his 'specialty', though.

    Yes, CT scans and CA125 are valuable tools, although unfortunately not 100%. I still get my CA125 monthly, and CT scans every 3-6 months. That will probably change as they come back more and more with no-evidence-of-disease. My doc may push it to every 6 months instead. Either way, for me the CA125 has been what my doctor relies on first. Mainly due to the fact that I never had a symptoms that indicated any problems. So fluctuations are normal, but a steady uphill climb could indicate a problem. And quite frankly, some CT scans haven't been that reliable, showing nothing when something was there. So, it really depends on how thorough your doctor chooses to be.
    Keep us informed. Hope you are feeling well and that your move was a positive thing for you.
    As always. . .
    Luv & Hugs!
    Monika

    Thanks so much for all the replyes. I have moved back to Illinois in the quad city area. I started out having my debulking surgery in Iowa City and was very happy with my dr. there but the nursing care stunk! So, I went to live with my daughter in Naples FL. and finished up chemo with Dr. Grendys in Bonnita Springs. Anyone heard of him? Now trying to find a new dr. in my area has been a nightmare.
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #6
    If you look at the Women's Cancer Network site (www.wcn.org), there's a "Find-A-Doctor" function that will bring up gyn/oncologists, or "related" doctors. It searches within a 50 mile radius of your zip code, and if that doesn't work (as it didn't for me), you can go by state. The city I'm closest to doesn't have any, so women who need anything beyond basic chemo have to go at least 100 miles to see their gyn/oncologists.

    If you find a name of one, maybe you could "run it by" the women on this board, and see if they have any opinion of them.
  • collins
    collins Member Posts: 69
    #7
    how far are you from chicago? Mu onc/gyn moved to Chicago and I highly recommend her. (Elise Horvath)
  • duckcreek
    duckcreek Member Posts: 14
    #8
    collins said:

    how far are you from chicago? Mu onc/gyn moved to Chicago and I highly recommend her. (Elise Horvath)

    I did find a Dr. in Peoria, IL. He is a gyne/oncologist. Dr. Kenneth Hodel. Anyone heard of him? I am about 4 hrs. from Chicago and if this Dr. does not work out, then I will have to go to Chicago. Anyone been to the University of Iowa? What was your experience if so.

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