My sister was diagnosed today. Is the Mayo the best place for surgery.

Hi, I don't know Guy, but I'm more than happy to chat. Reach out to me privately on this portal and we'll talk.

Thanks Geoff

@traskdon72: Hi! Are you Guy Hamilton’s relative? I had lunch in the Cafe with him this week.
Let me know if the world is really this small. 🙂 Bette

I would like more info. I believe you know Guy H. He is my cuzsin

I am very confident with Dr Thome!

My husband had his surgery and chemo treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NY

I felt like I was in a great spot at Mayo for my stage 4, mostly localized EC. My cancer had spread only to one neighboring lymph node so it was more of stage 3 and 6 cm in size. I was on a clinical trial using Folfox 5 chemo and proton beam radiation. Unfortunately, Medicare called me a day before starting proton beam telling me they wouldn't cover it and only cover photon beam. I decided to go ahead with photon, but developed pericarditis after 4 sessions. After escalating to Medicare, they finally approved the proton beam, which worked well with no side major effects, just a bit of fatigue. My chemo/radiation was so successful, only very tiny micro cells of cancer remained. I then had IVOR LEWIS surgery done to remove the damaged area and it was very successful, with clear margins and full recovery. Dr. Wigle and his team were great through the entire process. I always felt comfortable and confident with their team. Don't get me wrong though, recovery was tough. I was in the hospital for 10 days and on a feeding tube at home for a month. I strongly suggest your nursing team provide thorough training on feeding and medicine delivery if you're the caretaker. Also, assuming your insurance covers it, have your at home nurse meet you at home at time of arrival. This will make your transition more productive and less stressful. I'm 4 months out from surgery and my first scan showed no signs of recurrence. It's extremely early, but I'm optimistic I'll be cured in the long run. For additional assurance, I'm doing Optdivo immunotherapy for a year which decreases odds of recurrence. I highly recommend Dr. Wigle and the Mayo team. Remember though, if you have a long drive to get there, you'll want to ensure your local provider is totally in synch with your follow up care plan too. They can play a big part in your recovery. Best thoughts to you and your sister. Send me a note privately if you have any questions. Thanks Geoff

Rick,
I believe that Dr. Blackmon’s surgery on my wife was extremely successful.
I also know how much Dr. Blackmon appreciated the benefit, in Rochester, of having a wing of nurses at St. Mary’s dedicated to recovery from Esophagectomies.
If I were you, I’d follow Dr. Blackmon’s own advice on this. If she suggests a surgeon at Mayo/Rochester, I think you can stay close to home with complete confidence. Mayo has volume, experience, expertise, and a steady rhythm with esophagectomies.
If Dr. Blackmon advises you come to her, well, I would suggest you do that if it’s manageable.
Very best wishes. I hope you’ll be well for a long time. - My wife is 3 years out from her operation; right now, things are good.
Dave

Hello Dave, I wish that things are going well. I have recently been diagnosed with T2B. I live in Minnesota and have begun my journey at the Rochester Mayo. I have learned about Shanda Blackman and have briefly spoken with her. Dr Blackmon is no longer at Rochester Mayo. In your opinion would I be best served to have Dr Blackmon perform the surgery which would mean traveling to Houston.
Rick

I had proton radiation-25 rounds over 5 weeks and 5 chemotherapy treatments over 5 weeks at Rochesters Mayo Clinic. I also had the Ivor Lewis surgery at St Mary’s in Rochester. I will be 5 years cancer free the middle of April of 2024. I’m alive today because of the team of Dr’s and nurses that cared for me. What an awesome Clinic and hospital.

I agree with those complimenting Mayo which is where I had my treatment with excellent results.