Trying for the best outcome..............

Maria,
You surely are being tested!!! I know how anxious you must be with a few months passing since diagnosis and no plan yet in place. Luckily you are a strong warrior and can handle this dilema. We are going into a new year and I feel certain that you will soon have a plan in place. And if that means you have to keep pushing the medical people, so be it.

I chose my surgeon from Seattle (72 miles from my home) but had my chemo done at a local cancer center, (22 miles from my home). Fortunately for me, the oncologist I chose had worked previously in Seattle and knew my surgeon so he had no concerns about the two of them working together. I will tell you, however, that they did not work as closely with each other as I would have liked; there were a couple of times when I had to push one or the other to ensure they were in fact keeping each other up to date on my situation. Sad but true.

We must have some good news coming in regard to your situation...PLEASE keep us posted on how things are going...may God bless you with improved health in the coming new year. Take care...and lots of hugs being sent your way. Melodie

Maria,

I have a lot of confidence in the UNC Urological/Oncology Department. Here is a testimonial by a former Bladder Cancer Patient that appears on the UNC Health Care web site. I thought I would share it here to give you an idea of my own experience there in someone elses words...

Beatrice Abercrumbie of Raleigh was first treated in January 2001 for a urinary tract infection. Over the next six months, further symptoms necessitated a CT that showed a shadow on her bladder. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

"I couldn't believe it," she remembers. "I was in denial and felt that I had been given a death sentence. I saw my own funeral."

She came to UNC to see Dr. Raj Pruthi for a second opinion. "He explained everything to me. He even drew pictures so that I could understand the treatment he was proposing." Abercrumbie underwent surgery, removing her bladder, and replacing it with a neobladder. She required no further treatment for her cancer. Today, she is marking her fourth cancer-free anniversary.

She advises patients to be their own advocates and that they bring someone with them to appointments to take notes and ask questions. "It's good to have someone else there. Patients can't always take it all in, so having someone with you means that you can review what was said at a later time when you can better absorb the information."

"I give all credit to the Lord Jesus," she explains,"He used Dr. Pruthi to heal me." Abercrumbie was especially appreciative that "Dr. Pruthi walked through it with me. My care at UNC was enveloping and supportive."


Here is the link...

nccancerstories.org/stories/abercrumbie.asp

I just remembered the word..."multidisciplinary" which means that all the departments team up to take care of you.

Maria,

If you can get up to North Carolina, there is a Urolgical Surgeon at UNC Medical Center, Dr. Raj Pruthi, who is an EXTREMELY kind man and is not only a respected Urological Surgeon, but he takes quality time with you to explain procedures, results and expected outcomes.

His staff is also very, very helpful (in my own experience anyway).

He also works with other departments (Oncology, Radiology, etc) to evaluate your pathologies and lab results for best approach for fighting your cancer.

I call it Quality Care.

If you think it is possible, let me know, and I will get you a phone number.

Don't get disheartened. An answer will come.

Your friend,
Rosemary

Maria...what happened with Dr. Muruve of The Cleveland Clinic? Did they move you up or are you seeing someone else? Pat

Wendy, I have already investigated returning to the UK and due to personal circumstances this would not be an option for me.
First seen doc September. After usual procedures of TURB/Path reports, I was dx Oct 31st, referred early November and waited until December 20 for specialist appointment.
I have noted your other comments. Thanks

Karen, thanks for your information. I have emailed my insurance company to reconsider surgery out of state,initially they refused, based on the 'resources available'
I am contacting a surgeon for second opinion January 2nd.

Rosemary, unfortunately I have had no response to emails and voice messages after requesting help with second referral, I was very disappointed, but have moved on.