Next step

I knew I was going to have my treatment with MGH and not my local Urologist after dealing with him though the first TURB. I was glad I did there was a vast difference in the second TURB and the first. Plus I felt it was better as the second opinion in the pathology report being done by a second pathology department that did a high volume of bladder cancer. It was sometimes a hardship having treatment and surgeries away from home but the difference in expertise and available resources made it well worth it. We stayed in hotels in Boston and when we went to Chicago we for the first surgery took a short term apartment and then we found a Residence Inn for the second. Being able to cook was wonderful as restaurants get old quick. Both hospitals were used to people that were from out of the area and were a great help finding what we needed, MDA will have the same if you need it. Once I had my consultation things moved very quickly for the second TURB as they needed it to confirm my diagnosis to move forward. It is a personal decision as you know what your resources are and what you can do but if you can MDA is the best at what they do and they would be my first choice.
Let us know what you decide.

For my $$$ i'd simply wait until you get to MD Anderson. They will want to peek in there anyway and they have all of the extra equipment for diagnosis. Plus, it will really clock in like a second opinion.

Hobby airport on the SE side is closest if you are not driving (lots of SW flights). One motel is right on campus: www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/becoming-our-patient/getting-to-md-anderson/traveling-to-houston/rotary-house-international.html. Run by Marriott. There are several other motels nearby, a Holiday Inn Express from what I remember.

While I have not had to use them the past 10 years they are my backup as I live in San Antonio. I have had several aquaintences and friends do very well at MD. You are in good hands.

I am assuming you are the Sue part of the team? Welcome to our site but I am sorry you have to be here. A second opinion is always a good idea if you are feeling uncomfortable with the situation. Most large teaching hospitals have a good size urology department. Some are considered to be centers of excellence the two close to you are

MD Anderson in Texas (some consider it the best in the world for bladder cancer)
Vanderbilt in Nashville

Farther away

Sloan Kettering NY, NY
John Hopkins in Baltimore

There are others and I am sure others will have suggestions. I had my Radical Cystectomy at the University of Chicago my surgeon was Dr. Gary Steinberg both he and the hospital do a high volume. If you husband does have a bladder removal it is important that both the doctor and the hospital do a high volume of the type of diversion he is to have. For example my local urologist did 3 to 5 a year Dr. Steinberg does 3 to 5 a week. All large medical centers have websites and if you call them all have people that will get you the information or an appointment.

Let us know how you are doing and if we can help.