HAI pump

PhillieG said:

Mike
Mom 2-3, Get outta town! A hug? Are you sure the woman didn't say that someone tried to MUG her? It is NYC after all :-)

I have gotten her to smile and almost laugh so miracles can happen...

Mike, she's not warm and fuzzy but she's not mean either. She doesn't mince words and is brilliant and that is what you are after. Her staff id great, Trish is a wonderful assistant Doctor and Sandra is great as her main nurse. Usually you will meet with Sandra, then Trish, then Dr Kemeny in that order. Many times I will go over the scans visually with her when something is going on. If it business as usual I do not ask to see the scans.

It never hurts to have questions written down which you probably do anyway. There have been times where I've used a small portable MP3 player/recorder that I have to record the meeting so I can go over it later. I did that more in the beginning, at this point I rarely do it anymore. I got over the shock of cancer a long time ago.

Hope you get great news at the meeting. Please do keep us posted.
-phil

Phil
Phil,

I did ask the woman to clarify two times the word "hug" and also confirmed our definitions of the word were the same. So there was definitely physical contact involved. I think in 5 years if I am clear then I am going to give Dr K a kiss (whether she likes it or not....)

all the best,
Amy

menright said:

Warm & Fuzzy she's not!
I really had to force myself on Dr. Kemeny to get my questions answered. She did so up until she politely kicked me out of her office.

Are wait time long at MSK? I had an appointment with Dr. Jarnigan at 1:00pm on Tuesday and did not see him until 3:00pm for exactly 5 minutes.

Then on Wednesday, I had an appointment with Dr. Kemeny at 3:00pm and did not see here until 5:30.

Is the high demand because they are that good or is it simply big city (20M people) and too few doctors?

I hope I am not signing on to multiple hour waits for each appointment. Comments????


Mike

Waiting times at MSK
They work in their own time zone. Be prepared to wait. And wait. However, if you want to go down to the deli next door or wander the bookstore, or something in the area, the front desk will take your cell number and call you when you need to come back.

Did I mention that you'll have to wait?

My surgeon there (Dr. Paty) is notorious for his extremely long waits (2-3+ hours....), but no one ever complains because he's well worth the wait. My onc (Dr. Chung) is not as bad - only about an hour wait.

At least the waiting rooms are comfortable, have snacks, computers, etc.

Bring a good book with you.

Mark Bloomston in Fort Myers, FL is an excellent internationally recognized surgeon who does pumps.Great stuff, too. 

mom_2_3 said:

Lisa
Lisa,

During the HAI chemo period one is typically also receiving systemic chemo, albeit not the same week. A usual schedule is:

Day 1: systemic
Day 15: systemic
Day 22: pump

Day 45: systemic
Day 59: systemic
Day 66: pump

So one would have systemic chemo every 2 and every 3 weeks.

With regard to having lung mets...I have met people that had lung mets that still had the HAI pump installed so lung mets didn't preclude HAI.

I have never heard of an "HAI-like" pump for the lungs.

Amy

Juicing

I read your bio and noticed that you have taken a juicing and exercise approach. I exercise but I am wondering if I need to change my approach. What is it that you find that helps you? I know nothing about juicing so just wondering if you have any suggestions as to where to start. 

I am new here so wasn’t exactly sure how to get the question to you other than this way. I hope to hear back from you! Thanks!

I know Bloomston in Fort Myers now does a new pump and I know it got disconnected.I have an old one. My mets went into lungs in a few months. I believe it is not that uncommon. Honestly, I don t see accomplishing that long surviving rate. I wish I could.... Butt.