looking for support

Tate,

You really need to talk to "mom-of-four"--her husband goes to Baptist Hospital and also talk some more to Rosemary.

My husband goes to Forsyth Cancer Center in WS.

Clara

Hello All,

Here is alittle about Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center:

I have found the staff to go over and above in the treatment of my husband. Appointments are generally on time...and can last as long as you want them to. We never feel rushed out, with un answered questions. Drs are important this we all know, but the supporting staff in alot of instances is just as important. They remember our names...we are not numbers...the hotels in the area give discounts if you are coming to town to visit someone getting treatment, or are getting treatment yourself.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is among only 1% of U.S. cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute as comprehensive – indicating excellence in research, patient care and education.

Dr. Frank Torti is the Director

The Multidisciplinary Advantage

Bringing the expertise of multiple specialists together in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients has been a hallmark of our Comprehensive Cancer Center.

At most medical centers, it can take weeks to see each of the physicians who will have a role in the patient’s care, compounding the stress that patients experience. At Wake Forest Baptist we’ve developed a system to streamline the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients by subspecialized teams of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists as well as allied health care professionals.

A Partnership in Patient Care

The Comprehensive Cancer Center has built a team of nationally and internationally recognized experts who are committed to providing the best care possible. More than 120 clinicians representing all aspects of cancer care have joined together to pool their knowledge and expertise to offer the optimal treatment options for our cancer patients.

We believe that effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer depend on a strong partnership with referring physicians. Close communication with physicians at every stage of the treatment program provides integrated care and the best possible outcome.


There is alot more information available online.

Feel free to contact me,

Karen

I actually work for the competition therefore, my surgery is not scheduled @ Baptist this week...when I chose her (my doc) I really had no clue I could have bc...I truly thought it was the endometriosis again. If I decide to get a 2nd opinion after the surgery I will check out both Baptist and Novant hospital groups... I have a friend that is followed and treated @ Baptist, I will see what the $$$ difference will be in regards to the insurance. I know my friend loved her doc but he retired and I am not sure she is a 100% comfortable w/ the new one. she said he was a little green. coincidently I have seen the Baptist group on tv and on the news alot lately for their work w/ BC.

I want to say thanks to everybody and this website. I fell much better after reading all the post & information.

Rosemary,

We are in NE Tenn, and are planning to go to Vanderbilt for RC for my Mom. Would Baptist in WS be significantly better? It is an hour closer to us.

As so many here - we are scrambling right not to determine what is best. Mom's CIS recurred 12-15 weeks ago, although within that time she has had 6 weeks of BCG and 6 more weeks of BCG with the extra "last ditch" med (can't remember the name).

Thank you,

KC

Hey Tate!!! We are in the same neck of the woods. I live here on the coast of NC and was in Winston 2 weeks ago for my nephew's wedding. It rained cats and dogs, I can tell you.

I know this is a scary time, but you have come to the right place. We will talk to you and help you in any way we can.

When I went for my second opinion with Dr. Raj Pruthi at UNC - Chapel Hill, he summed up the situation to me by saying that "anything that grows in the bladder, polyps, etc." are considered to be cancer. It is the stage and grade of the cancer (which is only obtained by biopsy) that determines how far the cancer has progressed. (Even the stage and grading system has changed recently, so pathology and prognosis has become increasingly confusing)...

That being said, the lowest stage and grade of bladder cancer, (what once was known as Ta G1) has a 95% survival rate. In other words, it is mostly a benign situation but does have a 5% chance of progressing. So, even if you are lucky and diagnosed with this most non-threatening form of bladder cancer it will require medical surveillance for the rest of your life.

I am T1 G3 which means that the cancer has invaded into one layer of my lamina propria. The G3 means that the cancer is pretty agressive. Nowadays, I believe that the new staging and grading system assesses me as Stage 2 bladder cancer.

Even though I have the high risk form of Superficial Bladder Cancer, I have been treated and have been cancer free for over 2 years.

You are living in a good area for the diagnosis that you have. The Baptist Hospital in WS has one of the highest ratings in the country for Urology and Cancer. (Even higher than Duke and UNC). There is a poster here (Mom of 4) whose husband has been treated in WS for bladder cancer, and she may have some good tips about good Doctors for Second Opinions, etc. I have mixed feelings about Baptist Hospital, as my niece was a patient there for brain surgery a few years ago, and we have some painful memories of her treatment there. But, that was brain surgery, long ago, and if we can put faith in rating systems, then you are in a good place...

Please ask questions. It's a scary time. We will try to help you get through this.

Best regards,
Rosemary

I was originally diagnosed with bladder cancer when a tumor was seen when I was given an IVP (intravenous pyelogram). I was told it would be cancerous, and, as the biopsy showed, it was.