Questions about MD Anderson-Houston

sherirs04
sherirs04 Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi,

I am posting for my mom who is still recovering from her surgery. She has been seeing an OB oncologist and is not sure if she should go to MD Anderson for her treatment. Her doctor is saying that she can do her chemo in her office. I know there are a couple of ladies on here that are going to MD Anderson for treatment but I couldn't figure out how to private message you(sorry!)
My questions are:

How do you like MD Anderson?
What do you think the benefits/advantages are to going there opposed to a doctor's office off site?
Do they have nutritional counseling/support groups for patients?
How quickly did you get in to see someone there?
Is there a certain doctor you recommend?


Thank you so much,

Sheri

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #3
    I live in the Dallas/Ft
    I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and my Gyn/Oncologist trained at MD Anderson, as did many who practice in Texas. I have my chemo at the doctor's office - it's a huge practice (TX Oncology) and they have the whole third floor of the building where they are located.

    MD Anderson is my Plan B. If I have a recurrence within the first year (I just finished initial treatment), I plan to go to MD Anderson. I have a cousin who lives in Houston that has invited me to stay with her when I'm there.

    Stats say that 80% of us respond to first line chemo treatment. Does not seem to matter where we have it done. I think choices for subsequent treatments (recurrences) are more vital. Almost everyone gets Carboplatin and Taxol for the first line treatment.

    Having said that, maybe she could see a doctor at MDA and find out what he/she recommends, treatment wise. Find out if the local doc is on the same page. I see no advantage in traveling for the same treatment you can get at home.


    Carlene
  • Margaret Caroline 1985
    Margaret Caroline 1985 Member Posts: 17
    #4
    MDAnderson
    My M.D. sent me to MD Anderson after dx. It took only a few days for me to get in. My treatment was excellent & everything is available. I rec. 3 chemo treatments. surgery & more chemo. I did rec. most of my chemo at MD Andersons' Bay Area Clinic because it was so close to my sons' home. I live 3 hours drive from Houston. Dr. Levenback is my MD - he is wonderful. I have Stage IV ovarian cancer. MC
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
    My experience
    When I was diagnosed, in Texas, I could have gone to M.D.Anderson or Texas Oncology (Dallas) but chose Texas Oncology because I was told the treatment would be the same either place and Texas Oncology gyn/onc come to my home town and I could get chemo here. I have not regretted that decision. My gyn/onc was trained at M. D. Anderson anyway. Convenience is a big factor because treatment causes so much fatigue. M. D. Anderson does have more research studies, I believe, but until I reach the stage that nothing proven is working, I won't consider changing. Basically, we all get the same chemo to start with, Taxol and Carbo. I learned that the surgery was better at a large teaching hospital and mine was done at Baylor in Dallas and I had optimum results with a gyn/onc. doing the surgery and finding a surgeon to take care of my three liver tumors with RFA. Saundra
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • sherirs04
    sherirs04 Member Posts: 13
    #7
    Thank you!
    Thank you all so much for replying. It is good to know that the initial treatment will be the same no matter where she goes. We are very close to both places so location isn't an issue either way. Hopefully we can get a better idea after the doctors visit tomorrow.

    Thank you again!

    Sheri
  • sherirs04
    sherirs04 Member Posts: 13
    #8
    .

    .
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #9
    sherirs04 said:

    Thank you!
    Thank you all so much for replying. It is good to know that the initial treatment will be the same no matter where she goes. We are very close to both places so location isn't an issue either way. Hopefully we can get a better idea after the doctors visit tomorrow.

    Thank you again!

    Sheri

    Hi Sheri,
    I have been
    Hi Sheri,

    I have been receiving my treatments here in Austin, at the Texas Oncology facility.

    My first line of treatment was also carbo/taxol. I love my location because I too has access to a fine medical team, records and they seem very attentive to detail. I have been going to Texas Oncology now for 3 years and hopefully can continue to do so until the treatments no longer work.

    Sharon
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #10
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    I live in the Dallas/Ft
    I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and my Gyn/Oncologist trained at MD Anderson, as did many who practice in Texas. I have my chemo at the doctor's office - it's a huge practice (TX Oncology) and they have the whole third floor of the building where they are located.

    MD Anderson is my Plan B. If I have a recurrence within the first year (I just finished initial treatment), I plan to go to MD Anderson. I have a cousin who lives in Houston that has invited me to stay with her when I'm there.

    Stats say that 80% of us respond to first line chemo treatment. Does not seem to matter where we have it done. I think choices for subsequent treatments (recurrences) are more vital. Almost everyone gets Carboplatin and Taxol for the first line treatment.

    Having said that, maybe she could see a doctor at MDA and find out what he/she recommends, treatment wise. Find out if the local doc is on the same page. I see no advantage in traveling for the same treatment you can get at home.


    Carlene

    Stats
    Carlene,

    I have been avoiding the stats like the PLAGUE! BUT, I love the one you posted in this thread! WOOHOO 80%!

    I start my "first line" treatment tomorrow, and you just gave the boost in confidence I think I really needed! (Just didn't know I needed it till now!)


    On the original topic: I live in Baltimore, Home of Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Medical Center--I've opted to use my local oncologist for chemo since, as Carlene said, Carbo/Taxol seems pretty standard.

    If I need to, I know I have many other options nearby, and that's comforting as well!
    HUGS!

    Leesa
  • sherirs04
    sherirs04 Member Posts: 13
    #11
    MD Anderson
    We are also in a suburb of Houston. She had her appt yesterday with the Gyn who did her surgery and it went fine. Here is what is bothering my mom about going to MD Anderson. She is afraid that her treatment days will last longer than if she went to her doctor now, that MD Anderson will feel institutionalized and no one will know her name, that she will have to wait around forever her appointments. For those of you who are going there, do you get this type of feeling? I keep telling her that she can't go wrong with MD Anderson. They are the best in our area and this is her life we are talking about.

    Margaret, Dr Levenback is who she would try to see at MD Anderson because she know him but he is out of the country for a couple of weeks.

    Blessings,

    Sheri
  • Margaret Caroline 1985
    Margaret Caroline 1985 Member Posts: 17
    #12
    sherirs04 said:

    MD Anderson
    We are also in a suburb of Houston. She had her appt yesterday with the Gyn who did her surgery and it went fine. Here is what is bothering my mom about going to MD Anderson. She is afraid that her treatment days will last longer than if she went to her doctor now, that MD Anderson will feel institutionalized and no one will know her name, that she will have to wait around forever her appointments. For those of you who are going there, do you get this type of feeling? I keep telling her that she can't go wrong with MD Anderson. They are the best in our area and this is her life we are talking about.

    Margaret, Dr Levenback is who she would try to see at MD Anderson because she know him but he is out of the country for a couple of weeks.

    Blessings,

    Sheri

    MD Anderson
    Not quite sure what you mean by longer treatment days. I feel they are efficient in their scheduling & get test results quickly. Blood is drawn & MD has results before appt. Often you can get a CT scan on Sat. & see MD Mon. & go over results. Individual private room with DVD player & TV to help pass time for chemo. Excellent staff everywhere. You can setup own patient e-mail - secure- & use for making & changing appts., getting test results & many more good uses & info. You can also use site to ask questions & get answers from your MD nurse or assistant by way of secure messageing. Communication is excellent on all levels. Hope this is of some help. MC Try going in on MD Anderson web site - you will find all kinds of info.
  • sherirs04
    sherirs04 Member Posts: 13
    #13
    Margaret Caroline 1985 said:

    MD Anderson
    Not quite sure what you mean by longer treatment days. I feel they are efficient in their scheduling & get test results quickly. Blood is drawn & MD has results before appt. Often you can get a CT scan on Sat. & see MD Mon. & go over results. Individual private room with DVD player & TV to help pass time for chemo. Excellent staff everywhere. You can setup own patient e-mail - secure- & use for making & changing appts., getting test results & many more good uses & info. You can also use site to ask questions & get answers from your MD nurse or assistant by way of secure messageing. Communication is excellent on all levels. Hope this is of some help. MC Try going in on MD Anderson web site - you will find all kinds of info.

    Thank you!
    This is really helpful Margaret thank you so much. They already called her and got the ball rolling. :)

    I like the fact of getting tests results so quickly compared to waiting days somewhere else.



    Sheri
  • Margaret Caroline 1985
    Margaret Caroline 1985 Member Posts: 17
    #14
    sherirs04 said:

    Thank you!
    This is really helpful Margaret thank you so much. They already called her and got the ball rolling. :)

    I like the fact of getting tests results so quickly compared to waiting days somewhere else.



    Sheri

    MD Anderson
    Glad to be of help. Am happy to answer questions. Will be thinking of you & your Mother. MC

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