Know any surgeons at MD Anderson Cancer Center?

Options
kbdarnall
kbdarnall Member Posts: 30
in Esophageal Cancer #1

My husband has one more chemo infusion to go, plus a few more radiation sessions. He has T3N0M0 with 5 cm mass at GE junction. Tumor has shrunk but we don’t exactly how much. Eating is much easier now. He can tolerate almost any texture but not extreme temperatures or highly acidic foods.  

Husband wants to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for a 2nd surgical opinion. Although we live near Los Angeles, my husband's Texas-friends insist MD Anderson is the "best." His radiation oncologist also trained at MD Anderson. So of course, he is encouraging the excursion. Infusion oncologist will make the referral. But he cannot refer my husband to a "hospital." We need a name. So, I am studying MD biographies on the website. There are eleven thoracic surgeons listed. Comments anyone? 

 

Today, my husband is quite fatigued. It's the 3rd day after Carbo/Taxol infusion. Usually, he feels best a few hours after infusion is given. Go figure! Yesterday, Infusion Oncologist explained... this was due to jolt of STEROIDS administered through the IV. So now, my husband is feeling more confident. Tiredness is normal and temporary. Now he's looking forward to going to Texas. He will get 4 weeks holiday before next PET scan. Hopefully, results will be good and he will go forward with "curative" resection surgery. I would be happy if this is done by local California surgeon. But of course it's his choice. 

There's so much to learn. Our doctors explain things very patiently. But patient stories help in a different way. Thanks everybody!     

 

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
    Options
    I always had more energy the day after my infusion

    I always felt better the day after my infusion. The combination of IV hydration, steroid infusion, and Emend for nausea always perked me up for the next 48 hours or so. In fact, I usually had difficulty sleeping the next two nights after my infusion (also thanks to the steroids). I got my infusions on Monday and Thursday and Friday were my “down days”.  After the first three of the six cycles I had I learned what to expect and what support activities and medications I needed to take to alleviate the side effects.

    I was taking Cisplatin, Eprirubicin, and 5FU. My primary unpleasant side effects were fatigue and diarrhea, so I learned to go back to my oncology nurse on Wednesday to get IV hydration and start taking Lomotil on Thursday for diarrhea. Things improved substantially after that.

    There are several good surgeons at MD Anderson, here is an example:

    https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/departments-divisions/division-of-surgery.html

    I have no personal experience with this surgeon. I had the old style “open” Ivor Lewis surgery. Having had that experience I would recommend finding a surgeon who does laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery.

    There are also excellent surgeons in California as well. I have heard good things about this surgeon as well:

    http://www.ucirvinehealth.org/find-a-doctor/n/ninh-nguyen#pnlBio

    It is a very difficult decision; a skilled surgeon is very important as is the capabilities of the after care facility.

    Wishing you the best of success in your search.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams

    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009
    Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009 Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Eight Year Survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

  • CancerEclipse
    CancerEclipse Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2018 #3
    Options
    Greetings from Central Oregon

    Greetings from Central Oregon! I'm 74 and had the esophagectomy after 3 years of fighting the cancer in various ways. One thing that surfaces for me it to get an excellent surgeon, which you are trying to do. I don't know the docs a M.D. Anderson, but since the operation is so technical make sure the doc does a lot of these each year and his post-op, 30-day rate is low. I used Dr. Brant Oelschlager in Seattle, WA at the University Hospital there. His 30-day survival rate was 1%. Another doc I checked with (getting more than one opinion and asking the right questions is vital) had a survival rate of 8%. The national average is 9%. I've written a lot of this stuff down in a book as well as how I did and what I did coming out of the operation in a book. If you want to check that out let me know, <Content removed by CSN Support Team>. I'm 11 months out from the operation now, doing great -- in fact I'm enjoying Arizona sunshine and warm weather for a month.

    DG

  • Lolly1001
    Lolly1001 Member Posts: 9
    #4
    Options
    Surgeon at MD Anderson

    My husband's surgeon at MD Anderson in Houston was Dr. David Rice. In February 2015, the plan was for a robotic minimally invasive esophectomy, removing 3/4 of esophagus and 1/4 of stomach.  The robot stopped working in the middle of the surgery, so Dr. Rice finished it as an open surgery. The surgery lasted 10 hours. My husband recovered very well. In addition to being a highly skilled surgeon, he is personable and caring. While in the hospital, several of the nurses commented that they would request Dr. Rice if they were having that same surgery. Never did we feel rushed during our appointments with him. He was patient in asking all of our questions.  We also found his staff to be excellent and caring. The down side is that we always waited a considerable time for any appointment. I learned to take a good book or my laptop to pass the time. On our first visit, a gentleman in the waiting room told us that the "MD" stood for most of the day--he was right.

  • kbdarnall
    kbdarnall Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2018 #5
    Options
    Lolly1001 said:

    Surgeon at MD Anderson

    My husband's surgeon at MD Anderson in Houston was Dr. David Rice. In February 2015, the plan was for a robotic minimally invasive esophectomy, removing 3/4 of esophagus and 1/4 of stomach.  The robot stopped working in the middle of the surgery, so Dr. Rice finished it as an open surgery. The surgery lasted 10 hours. My husband recovered very well. In addition to being a highly skilled surgeon, he is personable and caring. While in the hospital, several of the nurses commented that they would request Dr. Rice if they were having that same surgery. Never did we feel rushed during our appointments with him. He was patient in asking all of our questions.  We also found his staff to be excellent and caring. The down side is that we always waited a considerable time for any appointment. I learned to take a good book or my laptop to pass the time. On our first visit, a gentleman in the waiting room told us that the "MD" stood for most of the day--he was right.

    Pneumonia today

    My husband was admitted to ICU today for what they believe is pneumonia. He finished chemo 10 days ago. Today he was scheduled for last radiation treatment (30th). But he went to ER instea. Hope the antibiotics work soon. His WBCs were 2.6 today. Adjuvant treatment was rougher than expected. I hope he pulls. Through this so he can have surgery.

  • GeriR
    GeriR Member Posts: 20
    #6
    Options
    I'm sorry to hear your

    I'm sorry to hear your husband is sick.  Praying the antibiotics start working quickly and for a full recovery so he can press forward.Also praying for strength and peace for you both.

    Geri 

  • kbdarnall
    kbdarnall Member Posts: 30
    #7
    Options
    GeriR said:

    I'm sorry to hear your

    I'm sorry to hear your husband is sick.  Praying the antibiotics start working quickly and for a full recovery so he can press forward.Also praying for strength and peace for you both.

    Geri 

    Pneumonia is improving. He is

    Pneumonia is improving. He is still on mechanical Ventilator. Touch and go for awhile but now looks like he will survive. The extra “boost” of radiation was probably not a good idea. He got the 29th dose of radiation but not the 30th dose. Original plan was 28. He was taken by ambulance to ER because of 190 bpm heart rate. Also diagnosed with sepsis. Cause of pneumonia is still being investigated. Bronchoscopy biopsy shows “nothing bad” so far. Infectious Disease specialist says it could be radiation pneumonitis or maybe Valley Fever or viral or bacterial, etc. Test results still pending. We live in Ventura County near fire area. Many cases of VF around here recently especially among immunocompromised patients. Husbands WBC count is slowly rising. Getting better thank goodness.

  • GeriR
    GeriR Member Posts: 20
    #8
    Options
    So glad to hear he's

    So glad to hear he's improving.  I'm so sorry you are going through this. Continued prayers. 

    Geri

  • kbdarnall
    kbdarnall Member Posts: 30
    #9
    Options
    GeriR said:

    So glad to hear he's

    So glad to hear he's improving.  I'm so sorry you are going through this. Continued prayers. 

    Geri

    We finally got the diagnosis

    We finally got the diagnosis today. It's called "radiation-induced pneumonitis." All pneumonia tests (bacterial, viral, fungal) were negative. So, it was a toxicity problem, not infection. "Pneumonitis" (inflammation of the lungs) is a known risk of adjuvant therapy with Taxol. He had 29 doses of radiation along with 6 Carbo/Taxol infusions. Apparently that was too much. 

    My husband has been on mechanical ventilation 5 days so far. He has too much fluid in the lungs. The ventilator keeps pressure (and oxygen) higher than normal, to help keep the alveoli open, so excesss fluid will drain out. Today, PEEP setting was 8.0. For awhile is was 12.0. 

    My husband simply got too many doses of chemo/radiation treatment. 

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #10
    Options
    So glad things are improving

    It is great to hear that they have a diagnosis and that he is gradually getting better. Well, thats clearly enough radiation and chemo for now. Time for him to rest up and get better. 

    Paul

  • sandman58769
    sandman58769 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2018 #11
    Options
    My surgeon @MD Anderson took

    My surgeon @MD Anderson took a teaching position @ Stanford medical I am truly blessed to have had him before he left his name is Michael Holzinger, You come to Houston and you immediately realize your in the best hands possible! Good luck!

  • kbdarnall
    kbdarnall Member Posts: 30
    #12
    Options
    sandman58769 said:

    My surgeon @MD Anderson took

    My surgeon @MD Anderson took a teaching position @ Stanford medical I am truly blessed to have had him before he left his name is Michael Holzinger, You come to Houston and you immediately realize your in the best hands possible! Good luck!

    Radiation-induced Pneumonitis (recovering)

    After PET-CT scan we can discuss MD Anderson (or not). We'll see how strong he gets. On 2/22 he was admitted to ICU with "severe sepsis." He had radiation (29th dose) the day before. It was an "extra" session with boosted intensity. Clearly, he got maximum chemo/radiation treatment. The overdose caused inflammation that prevented oxygen from getting from lungs to bloodstream. Intubated 2/15 and required mechanical ventilation 5 days in ICU. He was treated with steroids and multiple anti-microbial agents (antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral) before doctors ruled out "pneumonia."

    Husband went from hospital to skilled nursing home on March 3. He was extremely weak and could barely walk.

    Husband is going home this Saturday. Yay! He is making rapid progress with PT and OT sessions. Nursing home is kind of dumpy-looking. But staff is excellent. Food is good too. Husband eats everything on his tray plus lots more food that I put in the cooler. He gained 12 pounds in 10 days. Today, he is being trained by PT on balance exercises. He walks easily and has much better endurance. We have many appointments at doctors' office. Tomorrow is pulmonary, Friday cardio, Monday oncology and next Thursday endocrinology.

    We have not spoken about "surgery" yet. We're taking one day at a time. 

Discussion Boards