Second Opinions: How do I get one at Mayo Clinic out-of state?

Posted by cbower75 @cbower75, Mar 27 12:15am

I want to know how hard it is to get a second opinion with Mayo and if it’s possible to do via telehealth since I am out of state and several hours away . I have a hematologist but he is not addressing abnormal positive results and or many high and low tests. I’m not a doctor but I want answers. I hear Mayo is one of the best.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

@gingerw

@vgdmayo Thanks to @loribmt for tagging me in this conversation. OHSU, going to their website, gave me this information for drs there treating the condition your husband has: https://www.ohsu.edu/health/find-a-doctor/search?accepting=&age_group=&distance=&gender=&insurance=&language=&location=&online=&pcp=&shuffle_seed=PS-66089c29a76a25.04961389&sort=&term=waldenstroms%20macroglobulinemia&vector_name=&vector_value=

I am a patient at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center, in Eugene. They have several locations. I plugged in your husband's condition and here is the result of the doctors who treat it, and the locations they are at: https://www.oregoncancer.com/physicians?specialty=&special_interest=Lymphoma&location=

I am biased, and admit that. I have been a patient for 5 years, and feel grateful to have Dr. Yasenchak as my oncologist. By the way, he was a Mayo Clinic resident doctor before he moved out here 8 years ago, and still keeps in touch with his colleagues.

If I can be of any further help, please let me know! As a fellow blood cancer patient, we know the frustration of getting a great medical team in our corner.
Ginger

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Thanks Ginger, you are so sweet. I’m glad to hear you have confidence your
doctor. That’s a huge plus.

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I just called Mayo and told them I wanted a 2nd opinion. I have PMF. I got one right away. I had my hematologist send a referral but you don't need one.

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@cbower75, and others. Hoping everyone is 'well'...
Other NCI certified cancer research universities are:
- Northwestern, Chicago
- Mt Sinai, Los Angeles
- MD Anderson, Houston

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@gregda

@cbower75, and others. Hoping everyone is 'well'...
Other NCI certified cancer research universities are:
- Northwestern, Chicago
- Mt Sinai, Los Angeles
- MD Anderson, Houston

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also Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC
and Dana Farber in Boston

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Just FYI - re MD Anderson. Took my husband there in 2019 after a dx of Pancreatic Stage IV cancer. Was not impressed at all. I have had discussions with other acquaintances and friends who feel the same way. Remember it is a research center......selection of candidates for their research need to meet criteria of the research project so you will be selecting those patients with a relatively reasonable expectation to be cured or at least put into remission

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@carolannt

I just called Mayo and told them I wanted a 2nd opinion. I have PMF. I got one right away. I had my hematologist send a referral but you don't need one.

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Who were you able to see at the Mayo Clinic?

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@kndaustin71

Just FYI - re MD Anderson. Took my husband there in 2019 after a dx of Pancreatic Stage IV cancer. Was not impressed at all. I have had discussions with other acquaintances and friends who feel the same way. Remember it is a research center......selection of candidates for their research need to meet criteria of the research project so you will be selecting those patients with a relatively reasonable expectation to be cured or at least put into remission

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Sorry to hear your experience. I'm familiar w/ the Mayo 'system' in which TEAM-work reviews, researches... In Tampa there's the budding Moffitt Cancer, NCI Research and Provider Center.... I had a friend from Scottsdale, AZ Mayo referred to Mottitt. Much still depends, sadly, upon the experience and openness of the Dr/s who review a patient. This is why I'm seeking a TEAM of Reviewers.... Hope you hubby IS better !!

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@vgdmayo

Thank you for the information. It is so nice to be able to ask a question and get such an immediate response!
The closest teaching hospital to us is Oregon Health Science University. We have looked at a Waldenstroms provider list from a Facebook group my husband found but can’t seem to get a call back from the doctor in Eugene after three tries. Everyone is busy I suppose. He was the only physician listed in Oregon.
I will explore the links you provided. Thanks again for your time.

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Hi @vgdmayo. Just thought I would check in with you to see if your husband was able to get a second opinion with his WM diagnosis. Has he found a hematologist oncologist who has more experience in this type of blood cancer?

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@gregda

Sorry to hear your experience. I'm familiar w/ the Mayo 'system' in which TEAM-work reviews, researches... In Tampa there's the budding Moffitt Cancer, NCI Research and Provider Center.... I had a friend from Scottsdale, AZ Mayo referred to Mottitt. Much still depends, sadly, upon the experience and openness of the Dr/s who review a patient. This is why I'm seeking a TEAM of Reviewers.... Hope you hubby IS better !!

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Thank you for the information. I may be able to help others with it. My husband passed 10 months after he was diagnosed and 2 rounds of chemo. Watching a soul-mate of 40 years go inch by inch was one of the most painful things to endure. Towards the end, he made the decision to quit eating and passed 2 days later.

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@kndaustin71

Thank you for the information. I may be able to help others with it. My husband passed 10 months after he was diagnosed and 2 rounds of chemo. Watching a soul-mate of 40 years go inch by inch was one of the most painful things to endure. Towards the end, he made the decision to quit eating and passed 2 days later.

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Kdalda75
I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. I can’t even imagine the pain and heartbreak you experienced. I am encouraged and impressed that you want to help others. That is a recipe for happiness. I wish you comfort and peace as you deal with this huge loss. Hugs

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