Share experience at Mayo (Rochester)? MD Anderson anyone?

I was treated for esophageal at Texas Oncology Pittsburg Texas, stage 2 took chemo, now going to talk to surgeon in Tyler next Wednesday, everything came back clean, but biopsy still shows cancer, Texas oncology is really good,

MD Anderson is supposed to be best. But lots of prayer and faith has to come first no matter where you go. Lifting you up .

I'm in the same boat. I've requested a consult with Mayo Rochester and linked my Epic MyChart files for review by the GI-EC cancer treatment & clinical trial teamms and followed up with a phone call with an appointment coordinator at their Rochester, MN facilty as well as their Jacksonvill, FL site to get the referral process started.

I've yet to hear back re possible dates for an appointment. Thus, I've begun the referral process at other centers of excellence for EC treatment.

The issue is that the volume of requests for 2nd opinions/consults that Mayo recieves at its Rochester, MN sites. It really really slows their response times. As I noted above Mayo has additional sites in Jacksonville, Fl and Phoenix AZ. But they also have at the same issues.

That said, as you may be aware, there are several other centers of excellence for EC. Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt University, USF, Massachusetts General/ Brigham & Womens hospital, Emory and Vanderbilt and MSK all have excellent EC care specialist and also are centers of excellence offering state of the art cutting edge surgical, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immuno- oncology options as well as clinical trials. You want to contact these institutions for a referral and 2nd opinions as to your case and their avaiable potentially effective treatment modalities for your case or possible participation in clinical trials.

While it's a frustrating process, you just have to have patience and manage your expectations. By contacting multiple institutions, you to increase you chances of securing a 2nd opinions and scheduling treatments for you EC.

Dave

I had my radiation & chemo locally, but had my surgery & immediate recovery at MD Anderson. MD Anderson is quick to get appointments and tests scheduled.

Also, my thoracic surgeon at MD Anderson was Dr. Boris Sepesi. He’s moved on to a different hospital since my surgery was done 2 years ago. MD Anderson had me in a thoracic surgery ICU after surgery, which was nice - the nurses & other hospital team members were great. Another good thing is that MD Anderson has almost everything you need (additional tests, labwork, therapies) in one location. One big drawback - Houston traffic is awful - they have aggressive drivers who speed & weave in & out of traffic lanes. You get used to it after a bit, but many places have hospital shuttles & Uber & Lyft are available.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Wishing you the best in your journey. I was beginning to take it personally that I have not received a response from Mayo. It is so disappointing after the wonderful experience I had with my breast cancer team.

@journey99, I'm sorry to hear that you have not received a response from Mayo Clinic for a consult regarding your recent diagnosis of esophageal cancer. I encourage you to contact Mayo again to follow-up with the status of your referral. Did you submit a self-referral via the online form or did your local doctor submit a physician referral?

I'm also tagging fellow members who can share their experiences at Mayo Clinic for esophageal cancer like @puprluvr @gdj @zzonner @puprluvr @lori57216 @pellaw and others.

Thank you for the note. I have actually started appointments and moving forward with a treatment plan. Hopefully getting started in the next couple of weeks.

Fantastic. What treatment has been recommended? How are you doing?