Husband newly diagnosed, I have questions

7 years 10 months ago #51162 by GKLINE
Replied by GKLINE on topic Husband newly diagnosed, I have questions
Sorry to be so late on the reply.
But I will give you my idea of a RC surgeon.

What I don't want:
A Creative surgeon (artistic is also a no no)
A surgeon that does a Lot of different kinds of surgery
A surgeon that does a couple a month
A surgeon that has a lot of different body organs after his name (prostate, kidney,bladder, etc.) You want a specialist that has BLADDER as his specialty
A "nice" surgeon that doesn't answer your direct questions and gives you the impression that this is just an easy walk in the park. It's not.

What I do want:
A surgeon who does hundreds of these Radical Systectomy. You want more of an assembly line worker, who has seen it all and knows every variation that can happen.
A surgeon who gives you the alternatives and the up side AND the downside of each.
A surgeon that actually cares about you as a person.(that does not mean he has a wonderful caring personality)and shows you that he wants the best diversion for your lifestyle and ability.
A surgeon with a track record of successful survivors who would do it all again if they had to do it all again with the same Dr.

And it would always be nice if they came in after your surgery and called you "Their Model Patient"


I hope this helps

George

Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he's warm forever.

08/08/08...RC neo bladder
09/09/09...New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]
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7 years 10 months ago #51154 by Alan

"A lot" does leave a lot for interpretation. Compiling on this board mentally over the 8 years I have been here I see posters saying 50-100/year on average, or more. Once a month is NOT enough! More importantly I want a sub specialist that lists bladder and maybe kidney over prostate as it is really a different animal.

DX 5/6/2008 TAG3 papillary tumor .5 CM in size. 2 TURBS followed by 6 instillations of BCG weekly with a second round of 6 after a 6 week wait.
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7 years 10 months ago #51152 by browneyedgirlnmo
Replied by browneyedgirlnmo on topic Husband newly diagnosed, I have questions
Sue,

I am also newly diagnosed and have been very tired lately. I attribute it to the sadness/depression I have been feeling lately. I'm also from missouri and do suggest going to barnes st louis to see a specialist. I see dr seth strope who is supposed to be one of the best in the area.
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7 years 10 months ago #51150 by SueH756
Replied by SueH756 on topic Husband newly diagnosed, I have questions
Thanks, George. What constitutes "a lot" of these surgeries? One a month? One a week? Daily?

Sue

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7 years 10 months ago #51147 by GKLINE
Replied by GKLINE on topic Husband newly diagnosed, I have questions
Sue
Sara Anne does know her stuff and we always follow her lead. She and I are always advocating for a surgeon that does a LOT of bladder removal surgeries. They have seen it all and can handle all the things that come up.
I wish your husband the best and I know that depression is a real factor. When someone says "cancer" you immediately think the worst. This is normal. But after a while, he has to learn to fight the good fight.
Give him a little time and then "kick him in the pants" It's time to LIVE.

And a little humor doesn't hurt.

George

Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he's warm forever.

08/08/08...RC neo bladder
09/09/09...New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]

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7 years 10 months ago #51142 by sara.anne
Replied by sara.anne on topic Husband newly diagnosed, I have questions
Mayo would also be a good choice!!!

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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