cancer treatment centers of america

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k-ky
k-ky Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
my dad got diagnosised with laryngenal cancer- stage 4A 2 weeks ago we are having trouble talking my dad into going away from the small area we live at for treatment does anyone know about the cancer treatment center of america in illinois the cancer could possibly spread to his lungs local doctors say if that is the case it could be over

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  • newbride
    newbride Member Posts: 142
    #2
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    Cancer Treatment Centers of America
    Not familiar with the one in IL, but I have been in touch with the one in Philadelphia and I think it is worth looking into. My husband was pretty close to the end of his treatment when I called them, but I wanted to stay one step ahead of the game in case his doctors say there is nothing else they can do for him when the treatment stops and if they didn't get all the cancer.

    CTCA seem to have some different innovative techniques. I would definately talk to them and get their opinion. The person I spoke with was very helpful and did not put anything down that our doctors already did, he explained to me why they did what they did and why it was the best choice. He also have me suggestions for moving forward.

    Also if you choose them they will do all the leg work for you in obtaining the medical records so you don't have to.

    My husband just finished his treatment and we haev to wait 2 weeks for a CT to be performed to see whether or not they got it all. ANd what the next steps are. Once we have those results in hand and know what the prognosis is then we will decide whether to venture to Philadelphia or not.
  • niki0982
    niki0982 Member Posts: 1
    #3
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    I don't know much about CTCA
    I don't know much about CTCA but if you are looking in the Chicago area you should check out University of Chicago. I have just started my chemo treatments there and everyone has been very nice and very helpful. I did alot of research on them and they seem to have the best head and neck cancer doctors in the area.
  • newbride
    newbride Member Posts: 142
    #4
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    CTCA
    Ok...so here's what I found - they are very nice BUT your initial visit with them has to be 3 days. Regardless of whether you believe in herbs, pastrol care, etc you have to meet with each area. We wanted someone who could sit down with us in one visit and say "We read your records and this is what we suggest" so we're not checking them out
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #5
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    newbride said:

    CTCA
    Ok...so here's what I found - they are very nice BUT your initial visit with them has to be 3 days. Regardless of whether you believe in herbs, pastrol care, etc you have to meet with each area. We wanted someone who could sit down with us in one visit and say "We read your records and this is what we suggest" so we're not checking them out

    Checked them out too
    Like new Bride I wanted a back up plan. I talked to them on the phone for about a week. They do push the herbal adjuvant thearpy stuff. The one in chicago is acyullay almost in Wisconsin, about an hour away from the city. I don't think they will hurt you but may not be as good as a university. I finished my treatment elseware and wanted them for a second opnion. They would not even talk to me without redoing the scans in four weeks and would not bend from that. Also for Head and Neck Cancer they do not have an ENT in house on staff. They drive you to Gurnee and bring you backin a Limo. I like being pampered but really just want to be cured.
  • newbride
    newbride Member Posts: 142
    #6
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    ratface said:

    Checked them out too
    Like new Bride I wanted a back up plan. I talked to them on the phone for about a week. They do push the herbal adjuvant thearpy stuff. The one in chicago is acyullay almost in Wisconsin, about an hour away from the city. I don't think they will hurt you but may not be as good as a university. I finished my treatment elseware and wanted them for a second opnion. They would not even talk to me without redoing the scans in four weeks and would not bend from that. Also for Head and Neck Cancer they do not have an ENT in house on staff. They drive you to Gurnee and bring you backin a Limo. I like being pampered but really just want to be cured.

    ratface
    I found them to be alot of smoke and whistles - promising things and not really following through. I told them what WE wanted and they would not budge from their horse and pony show
  • rutsue
    rutsue Member Posts: 1
    #7
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    CTCA is GREAT!!
    My experience at CTCA was fantastic! We are very poor and they were out of network for our insurance. They agreed to take whatever our insurance company would pay and waived our out of network costs. They were true to their word. My last appt was Oct. 2010. I have not received one bill from them. We enjoyed the time we spent there. The hotel is a Country Inn Suites for a very low daily fee. I forget exactly what it is. about 40$ or so. If you are there for long term they have a $20/ nite place to stay. All are very nice. I had a liver resection by Dr. Brown. He was wonderful. My appt before my surgery he went over my CT slide by slide and showed me the tumors he was going to remove. He spent about 45 mins with me and didn't leave until everyone of my questions were answered. They have mileage reimbursements for travel and meals taste great and are subsidized. I forget exactly what it was but they were free up to 7$/ meal or so. So if you ate normal you could eat for free. Alot of the food is organic. We went to the one near Chicago IL. Maybe there are different rules depending on which CTCA you are dealing with. I talked to some people that the one out west wouldn't accept their insurance so they had to travel to the Chicago one. There are shuttles that take you to the hospital and back to your hotel. They run every 20 mins. All free. If I ever have recurrence I will go back to them. They treat you like kings and queens. Plus with everyone being there for cancer there is support that you can't get anywhere else. Their other support therapies are included or billed to insurance and very helpful. I had accupuncture, physical therapy for my neuropathy. No bills. There are nutritionists, spiritual and emotional support if you want it and alternative therapy as well. The alternative support is limited because of the state laws regarding licensing of those physicians. I should say laws against licensing of these physicians. But still helpful. If there was a downside to CTCA it was seeing those that were further along in the disease process and close to death. But there were also those there for recurrence check ups and finding no cancer. I'm sorry for those of you that stopped yourselves from going because of preconceived notions. You truly missed out on a bright spot of what otherwise is a horrible experience. I haven't come across a hospital or doctor yet that doesn't want payment info up front. It's all about the money no matter what services we are trying to get. Medical or otherwise!
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
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    rutsue said:

    CTCA is GREAT!!
    My experience at CTCA was fantastic! We are very poor and they were out of network for our insurance. They agreed to take whatever our insurance company would pay and waived our out of network costs. They were true to their word. My last appt was Oct. 2010. I have not received one bill from them. We enjoyed the time we spent there. The hotel is a Country Inn Suites for a very low daily fee. I forget exactly what it is. about 40$ or so. If you are there for long term they have a $20/ nite place to stay. All are very nice. I had a liver resection by Dr. Brown. He was wonderful. My appt before my surgery he went over my CT slide by slide and showed me the tumors he was going to remove. He spent about 45 mins with me and didn't leave until everyone of my questions were answered. They have mileage reimbursements for travel and meals taste great and are subsidized. I forget exactly what it was but they were free up to 7$/ meal or so. So if you ate normal you could eat for free. Alot of the food is organic. We went to the one near Chicago IL. Maybe there are different rules depending on which CTCA you are dealing with. I talked to some people that the one out west wouldn't accept their insurance so they had to travel to the Chicago one. There are shuttles that take you to the hospital and back to your hotel. They run every 20 mins. All free. If I ever have recurrence I will go back to them. They treat you like kings and queens. Plus with everyone being there for cancer there is support that you can't get anywhere else. Their other support therapies are included or billed to insurance and very helpful. I had accupuncture, physical therapy for my neuropathy. No bills. There are nutritionists, spiritual and emotional support if you want it and alternative therapy as well. The alternative support is limited because of the state laws regarding licensing of those physicians. I should say laws against licensing of these physicians. But still helpful. If there was a downside to CTCA it was seeing those that were further along in the disease process and close to death. But there were also those there for recurrence check ups and finding no cancer. I'm sorry for those of you that stopped yourselves from going because of preconceived notions. You truly missed out on a bright spot of what otherwise is a horrible experience. I haven't come across a hospital or doctor yet that doesn't want payment info up front. It's all about the money no matter what services we are trying to get. Medical or otherwise!

    Hi Sue
    Thanks for your post, I go to MD Anderson but glad to hear you had a very good experience at CTCA with your treatment.

    PS: Welcome to CSN glad to have you here with us.
    Hondo
  • Fire34
    Fire34 Member Posts: 365
    #9
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    niki0982 said:

    I don't know much about CTCA
    I don't know much about CTCA but if you are looking in the Chicago area you should check out University of Chicago. I have just started my chemo treatments there and everyone has been very nice and very helpful. I did alot of research on them and they seem to have the best head and neck cancer doctors in the area.

    Agree with Nikki
    On that one. I underwent my treatment there also. Top notch as far as I am concerned. My treatment was not the norm as I underwent a clinical trial. But I would bet the care would be the same regardless. check them out
    Wishes & Prayers on your decision
    Dave
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #10
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    Hondo said:

    Hi Sue
    Thanks for your post, I go to MD Anderson but glad to hear you had a very good experience at CTCA with your treatment.

    PS: Welcome to CSN glad to have you here with us.
    Hondo

    I go to
    University of North Carolina excellent doctors, I wish everyone would go there.

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