best hospital??

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kim50
kim50 Member Posts: 34
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello Y'all,
I have some questions for the family here.

1. How many of you were treated at MD Anderson? Good experience or bad, I would like to know.

2. Does anyone on here know the best hospital in U.S. for treating head and neck cancers specifically, anyone researched that? I know MD is best overall for cancer.

3. I am dealing with a recurrence from nasal cancer that is on eye now....any suggestions on where might be good from what you know or people you have talked to? They're going to remove my total eye , muscle, socket,everything. I want a 2nd opinion from somewhere, but somewhere that is really good. I'm willing to do that if necessary (which my drs. say it is), i can live with one eye if it will help me beat this monster.


I look forward to hearing from y'all. The knowledge expressed here is always so valuablee to me. Y'all are also so encouraging..even though we all have different situations.

I HATE CANCER

Comments

  • luv2cut1
    luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
    #2
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    Hi Kim
    I don't know where you are, but we were and are very impressed with University of Colorado hospital. They are NCI designated comprehensive cancer center and they have an awesome head and neck program. My hubby had recurrent laryngeal cancer spread to lymph nodes. Had chemo reirradiaton 20 mos ago and is doing great. We had three opinions before we chose CU
    There seem to be so many good hospitals. I'm sure you will get more great suggestions from people here.

    Good luck.

    Myka
  • RushFan
    RushFan Member Posts: 224
    #3
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    MD Anderson here...
    I was treated at MD Anderson. My experience has been outstanding. The Houston medical center is a massive complex, which MD Anderson is a part of. Navigating parking and finding specific buildings can be a challenge...but once you know where to go it's very easy.

    The Head & Neck department encompases the 10th floor of the "Main Building" and parking is right next door. Blood work, CT scans/x-ray, and surgery are all located in that building too. I had to go across the street for PET scan.

    My Doctor is Amy Hessel (surgical onc). She is extremely caring and generally treats very challenging cases. My case was fairly straight forward and did not require any difficult or tricky surgeries. She has mentioned to us that she likes to help those in tough circumstances. I hope this helps, I would highly recommend a second opinion here.

    Best regards Kim,
    Chuck in Cypress TX
  • Lynlls
    Lynlls Member Posts: 3
    #4
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    RushFan said:

    MD Anderson here...
    I was treated at MD Anderson. My experience has been outstanding. The Houston medical center is a massive complex, which MD Anderson is a part of. Navigating parking and finding specific buildings can be a challenge...but once you know where to go it's very easy.

    The Head & Neck department encompases the 10th floor of the "Main Building" and parking is right next door. Blood work, CT scans/x-ray, and surgery are all located in that building too. I had to go across the street for PET scan.

    My Doctor is Amy Hessel (surgical onc). She is extremely caring and generally treats very challenging cases. My case was fairly straight forward and did not require any difficult or tricky surgeries. She has mentioned to us that she likes to help those in tough circumstances. I hope this helps, I would highly recommend a second opinion here.

    Best regards Kim,
    Chuck in Cypress TX

    Best listed at this site
    www.cancerlinksusa.com You will notice MD Anderson listed. or Cancer centers of America to.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
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    RushFan said:

    MD Anderson here...
    I was treated at MD Anderson. My experience has been outstanding. The Houston medical center is a massive complex, which MD Anderson is a part of. Navigating parking and finding specific buildings can be a challenge...but once you know where to go it's very easy.

    The Head & Neck department encompases the 10th floor of the "Main Building" and parking is right next door. Blood work, CT scans/x-ray, and surgery are all located in that building too. I had to go across the street for PET scan.

    My Doctor is Amy Hessel (surgical onc). She is extremely caring and generally treats very challenging cases. My case was fairly straight forward and did not require any difficult or tricky surgeries. She has mentioned to us that she likes to help those in tough circumstances. I hope this helps, I would highly recommend a second opinion here.

    Best regards Kim,
    Chuck in Cypress TX

    Hi Kim
    I was not treated at MD Anderson for my cancer but that is where I go now for any future needs. I do like the staff and people I deal with there; they are very friendly and professional in what they do. I am NPC and was treated twice for it by radiation with my local home town doctor’s until I found out they had no idea what they were doing.

    All the best
    Hondo
  • kim50
    kim50 Member Posts: 34
    #6
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    Hondo said:

    Hi Kim
    I was not treated at MD Anderson for my cancer but that is where I go now for any future needs. I do like the staff and people I deal with there; they are very friendly and professional in what they do. I am NPC and was treated twice for it by radiation with my local home town doctor’s until I found out they had no idea what they were doing.

    All the best
    Hondo

    Gosh Hondo, I feel the same
    Gosh Hondo, I feel the same dang way!!!!

    My husband sent my scans and paperwork to MD Anderson on Monday..haven't heard back yet. my husband really wants a 2nd opinion, but my new surgeon says I have a 4-6 window as far as tumor growth. This is a fast growing kind. So.. I feel I don't have much time to get there from Ga. My family is very worried. Like I said..if you're going to take my eye, socket, muscles, the works, I want to be sure it's necessary. it may be and I can adjust and live with that. Tesa if you come on I know you're in a similar situation with your mother and I'd love to hear back from you.

    Myka, thank you so much..I will check into that. I actually lived in Colorado briefly in the 90's. now I'm down south where they all seem confused. My new surgeon trained at M D Anderson so i feel more comfortable than the previous ones I had.

    Chuck, thanks..I'll check this doctor out. My case may be the challenging one she's looking for!

    I love y'all...keep the suggestions coming. My 17 year old daughter lives on this forum now. She's so worried, poor thing.
  • luv2cut1
    luv2cut1 Member Posts: 288
    #7
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    kim50 said:

    Gosh Hondo, I feel the same
    Gosh Hondo, I feel the same dang way!!!!

    My husband sent my scans and paperwork to MD Anderson on Monday..haven't heard back yet. my husband really wants a 2nd opinion, but my new surgeon says I have a 4-6 window as far as tumor growth. This is a fast growing kind. So.. I feel I don't have much time to get there from Ga. My family is very worried. Like I said..if you're going to take my eye, socket, muscles, the works, I want to be sure it's necessary. it may be and I can adjust and live with that. Tesa if you come on I know you're in a similar situation with your mother and I'd love to hear back from you.

    Myka, thank you so much..I will check into that. I actually lived in Colorado briefly in the 90's. now I'm down south where they all seem confused. My new surgeon trained at M D Anderson so i feel more comfortable than the previous ones I had.

    Chuck, thanks..I'll check this doctor out. My case may be the challenging one she's looking for!

    I love y'all...keep the suggestions coming. My 17 year old daughter lives on this forum now. She's so worried, poor thing.

    Find What Is Right For You
    CU is a whole different place than it was in the 90s. They have moved to a new state of the art facility in Aurora and have some exciting things happening. If you think you might be interested check them out on the web. I don't think anyone would argue as to how good MD Anderson is. I hope you check out as many places as you need to to find what is right for you. Confidence in the doctors and treatment plan made all of the difference to us. You are facing a difficult decision and it sounds like you can do so with confidence if you know it is right.

    Our medical oncologist is Dr. Antonio Jimeno and radiation oncologist is Changhu Chen
    We highly recommend both if they are appropriate for your situation

    Prayers and hugs,

    Myka
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #8
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    luv2cut1 said:

    Find What Is Right For You
    CU is a whole different place than it was in the 90s. They have moved to a new state of the art facility in Aurora and have some exciting things happening. If you think you might be interested check them out on the web. I don't think anyone would argue as to how good MD Anderson is. I hope you check out as many places as you need to to find what is right for you. Confidence in the doctors and treatment plan made all of the difference to us. You are facing a difficult decision and it sounds like you can do so with confidence if you know it is right.

    Our medical oncologist is Dr. Antonio Jimeno and radiation oncologist is Changhu Chen
    We highly recommend both if they are appropriate for your situation

    Prayers and hugs,

    Myka

    There is a link on the HNC
    There is a link on the HNC Superthread, found on the first page of this board that has the US News Best hospitals. If you have not checked out the thread yet, there may also be other things that might be helpful to you there. I always try to keep it on the first page of the HNC board.

    Here is the link to the 'best hospitals':

    BEST US HOSPITALS:
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    US NEWS BEST HOSPITAL RANKINGS
  • Daddisgrl
    Daddisgrl Member Posts: 116
    #9
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    kim50 said:

    Gosh Hondo, I feel the same
    Gosh Hondo, I feel the same dang way!!!!

    My husband sent my scans and paperwork to MD Anderson on Monday..haven't heard back yet. my husband really wants a 2nd opinion, but my new surgeon says I have a 4-6 window as far as tumor growth. This is a fast growing kind. So.. I feel I don't have much time to get there from Ga. My family is very worried. Like I said..if you're going to take my eye, socket, muscles, the works, I want to be sure it's necessary. it may be and I can adjust and live with that. Tesa if you come on I know you're in a similar situation with your mother and I'd love to hear back from you.

    Myka, thank you so much..I will check into that. I actually lived in Colorado briefly in the 90's. now I'm down south where they all seem confused. My new surgeon trained at M D Anderson so i feel more comfortable than the previous ones I had.

    Chuck, thanks..I'll check this doctor out. My case may be the challenging one she's looking for!

    I love y'all...keep the suggestions coming. My 17 year old daughter lives on this forum now. She's so worried, poor thing.

    Kim; where are you being
    Kim; where are you being treated now? I know that Emory University Hospital is supposed to be really good. I researched them for a friends mother in law that had lung cancer.

    You do want the best head & neck center you can find; especially with something like that. From what I know from another board I go to; Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. They are doing all sorts of clinical trials.

    Here is their link Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital ranking

    Next; Brett Hudson's blog - he was told to get his affairs in order; ended up doing cyber knife. I would look into that & Tomotherapy to see if they can spare you. You can contact Brett; he's happy to answer questions. If you can't find his contact; send me a private message. He's from the 70's Hudson Brothers & Kate Hudson's uncle.
  • tesa
    tesa Member Posts: 123
    #10
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    Daddisgrl said:

    Kim; where are you being
    Kim; where are you being treated now? I know that Emory University Hospital is supposed to be really good. I researched them for a friends mother in law that had lung cancer.

    You do want the best head & neck center you can find; especially with something like that. From what I know from another board I go to; Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. They are doing all sorts of clinical trials.

    Here is their link Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital ranking

    Next; Brett Hudson's blog - he was told to get his affairs in order; ended up doing cyber knife. I would look into that & Tomotherapy to see if they can spare you. You can contact Brett; he's happy to answer questions. If you can't find his contact; send me a private message. He's from the 70's Hudson Brothers & Kate Hudson's uncle.

    Hi Kim,
    Yes my mother's
    Hi Kim,
    Yes my mother's situation is incredibly similar to yours. Where are you being treated now? My mother was treated at MUSC in Charleston and they're talking eye removal as well. We're trying to get to MD Anderson, but in her case she's 82 years old so it's a little more difficult than in your case. Her cancer was in her sinus passages as well as nasal. it would be nice if we had rankings for best head and neck hospital. Please keep us posted here because as a caregiver I feel I'm going through this with you.
  • Daddisgrl
    Daddisgrl Member Posts: 116
    #11
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    tesa said:

    Hi Kim,
    Yes my mother's
    Hi Kim,
    Yes my mother's situation is incredibly similar to yours. Where are you being treated now? My mother was treated at MUSC in Charleston and they're talking eye removal as well. We're trying to get to MD Anderson, but in her case she's 82 years old so it's a little more difficult than in your case. Her cancer was in her sinus passages as well as nasal. it would be nice if we had rankings for best head and neck hospital. Please keep us posted here because as a caregiver I feel I'm going through this with you.

    I'm so sorry. Will they do
    I'm so sorry. Will they do that extensive surgery on someone her age? Do you have a good list of questions? Questions for Dr. I guess my question would be about quality of life & complications & here is why-

    I had an 87 year old neighbor who's 82 year old lady friend had her hip replaced August 2009; she passed away June 2010. My neighbor fell down 4 steps 3 weeks after she passed; he broke 4 ribs; punctured his lung. He feels he fell because his knee gave out. He recovered at my house for 3 weeks; we had a bunch of nurses & physical therapist here; they all told him not to do surgery on his knee at his age because most people usually pass away within the 1st year after a major surgery. The PT said his own dad needed a knee done & was not doing it.

    You also may want to ask how many surgeries like this have they actually done on someone her age & what was the outcome.

    Good luck. ~Hugs
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #12
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    Cancer
    Kim,

    I am so sorry that you are going through this right now. I agree, cancer sucks!

    As for the best hospital? There are quite a few as I am sure many people would agree. MD Anderson, The Cleveland Clinic, The Mayo Clinic, etc.

    As for your eye? Please get at least 2 more opinions. I have brain cancer that has also spread to my left optic nerve and optic nerve chiasm. I've already had surgery and radiation at the optic nerve site. But instead of doing surgery on the optic nerve chiasm itself, they are going to come in from the sinuses (where I also have tumors - again) and get as much from the chiasm (between the eyes and above the sinuses) as they can. The tumors at that location are growing down instead of towards the back of the skull (thank you radiation!) I have 8 doctors of record and the one thing they can all agree on is they are doing everything possible to preserve my eyesight; especially since the tumors are also blocking my eustacian tubes and causing me to lose my hearing.

    I would see someone who specializes in eye cancer. My husband and I bought a book that lists all the best doctors by geographic location and specialty in the U.S. It was published in Dec, 2010. By researching the doctors and getting another 1 or 2 opinions you aren't limited to the knowledge base of the 1 doctor you have already seen.

    Good luck and please keep us posted!

    Peace.
    Teresa
  • tesa
    tesa Member Posts: 123
    #13
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    Daddisgrl said:

    I'm so sorry. Will they do
    I'm so sorry. Will they do that extensive surgery on someone her age? Do you have a good list of questions? Questions for Dr. I guess my question would be about quality of life & complications & here is why-

    I had an 87 year old neighbor who's 82 year old lady friend had her hip replaced August 2009; she passed away June 2010. My neighbor fell down 4 steps 3 weeks after she passed; he broke 4 ribs; punctured his lung. He feels he fell because his knee gave out. He recovered at my house for 3 weeks; we had a bunch of nurses & physical therapist here; they all told him not to do surgery on his knee at his age because most people usually pass away within the 1st year after a major surgery. The PT said his own dad needed a knee done & was not doing it.

    You also may want to ask how many surgeries like this have they actually done on someone her age & what was the outcome.

    Good luck. ~Hugs

    They said that her age is no
    They said that her age is no problem, but I do understand what you're saying. I think it depends on the person's overall health, as well as age.I pray with all my heart that she can tolerate it. I know of a man who had knee surgery at 90 years old, still going strong 4 years later. We did get a call from MD Anderson so we'll see what they recommend. And she has just told me that she's 83 not 84. LOL!

    Kim, you might want to call them Monday to check on your appt otherwise it may take a while.. My brother had to call for my mother.

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