Here I go again.....more cancer

16 years 1 month ago #13257 by Melodie
Replied by Melodie on topic Here I go again.....more cancer
Barb,

I hope you realize that everyone who is commenting here has your best interest at heart. It's wonderful that you like your doctor and I'm sure comforting to you, however, it is the skill and experience you need for treatment. It is great when you can find skill, experience and a great bedside manner in one doctor but those are tough to find. Quite often the best ones are so busy fighting cancer that they invest little time in social skills...but they get the job done and done well.

It is great that you have found this website...it is truely a wealth of information, and so many on the forum open their hearts to you, and will help you in whatever way they can. The doctor can share information with you but who knows more about how the patient survives bladder cancer than those of us who have gone on that journey. It can be a very rough ride but we are here to help you. Please stay in contact. I hope you have the energy and time to research your options and especially get a 2nd and possibly 3rd opinion. Take care, your new friend, Melodie

Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright

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16 years 1 month ago #13130 by Zachary
Replied by Zachary on topic Here I go again.....more cancer

Barb, I think you'll find that everyone here is of the same mind about only one thing--that patients with bladder cancer should be treated, if possible, by a physician at a major cancer center that has lots of experience with bladder cancer. Not your local hospital, and generally not your local urologist. They may be fine in every other way, but you really should begin by exploring your options at a facility that sees bladder cancer day in and day out. Especially if one of the alternatives you're dealing with is surgery.

I myself was diagnosed by my local urologist, but he was gracious enough to insist that I go to USC/Norris for my surgery.

My best to you,

Zach

"Standing on my Head"---my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein

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16 years 1 month ago #13104 by Barbnks
Replied by Barbnks on topic Here I go again.....more cancer
Thank you Pat and I am calling today to get the results of the last biopsy. I didn't have any anesthesea when he took out the last tumor. How do you know if your Urologist is a good bladder cancer doctor. I know he is not a oncologist, which I haven't seen one of those yet either. Should I be seeing an oncologist? Thanks for the info.

Barb

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16 years 1 month ago #13097 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Here I go again.....more cancer
Barb..were you under any kind of anesthesia at the time of the removal of the tumor? A TURB is a resectioning of the tumor that is then sent to pathology to determine stage and grade which is very important in treatment depending on those results. I suggest you ask for a full report on your tumor and its stage and grade. You really must be informed on this to determine your best direction in treatment. Bladder Cancer is a pretty narrow field of true specialists and you don't want to make a non-informed decision just because you like a doctor. I liked my doctor too but he knew zip about bladder cancer. Its also important to have a top notch pathologist reading your biopsy...understaging happens quite a bit. Please be informed. Pat

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16 years 1 month ago #13092 by Barbnks
Replied by Barbnks on topic Here I go again.....more cancer
After reading up I think I am mistaken about what was performed in the office. It was not a TURB. What he did was take a hook like thing and take the tumor out then he cauterized it. Is that TURB??? Heck I don't know, lol.

Barb

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16 years 1 month ago #13091 by Barbnks
Replied by Barbnks on topic Here I go again.....more cancer
Pat he did biopsy it but I forgot to ask what the results were. He removed the first tumor during my cystoscopy. No I am living in Kansas right now, my husbands job moves us around alot. We flew to Houston for the 2nd opinion. It's a great place but I really do love my doctor and feel he is doing what's right.

Barb

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