Dad Daignosed with BC

I agree with Pat. Ask how many neobladders he's done. You want a surgeon that does these routinely. Cancer centers/teaching hospitals are preferred as they do them all the time.

I responded to your post on webcafe with some of my experiences and also sent you email. Feel free to contact me privately with any questions.


Mike

I asked and she said she that all of their urologist were qualified and then I asked how many they have performed and she said that my dad would have to ask when he came back for his appt. lol, so didn't get anywhere, she was nice, but didn't get me any information!!!

thanks for the link....so the local advocate said he was qualified...hmmmm...ask how many neobladders he's done in his lifetime? That would be an arguement for an appeal as i suspect not many.
Pat

www.ucurology.net/physicians/bell.html

There is the link to Dr. Bell. I did talk to a patient advocate earlier today and she pretty much said that their Uroligist are qualified and that would be the only option my dad would have... so yeah she didn't help. She also said that my dad really needs to meet with his doctor to discuss everything (if it was only that easy).

Thanks for the links, I am going to look them up now!

Hi J...so glad you came over to this site.
I have searched and searched and cannot come up with a Dr. Bell at U. of Cinti Hospital or the Barrett Center??????? Do you have a first name? Like i told you uro's in cinti that do neobladders are few and far between. I do think you have some recourse if an available surgeon that specializes in this surgery is not available at the VA that they have to allow you to go to someone who does do it on a regular basis. I'm not familiar with the redtape involved however. Maybe someone here will know the answer to that hopefully.
Is there a Veterans Affairs council? Your senator?...Maybe the Patient Advocacy Network could offer some help?

www.patientadvocate.org/
Another thought since your father is actually in Indiana and IU Medical is one of the top hospitals for urological cancers and is only about l l/2 hrs away
There is Dr. Birhle
www.clarian.org/portal/patients/findadoctor?paf_gear_id=300006&paf_dm=full&paf_gm=content&task_name=displayBio&contactId=474
And Dr. koch...(Inventor of the Koch pouch)
www.clarian.org/portal/patients?paf_gear_id=300006&paf_dm=full&paf_gm=content&task_name=displayBio&contactId=109421
Pat