1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Which hospital of excellence?

Posted by sheridanb @sheridanb, Sep 7 12:20pm

We're wondering about contacting a hospital of excellence. We are NOT unhappy with our oncologist here, but it seems it wouldn't hurt to have another opinion.
And I'm thinking we should ask our oncologist on his recommendations/thoughts on this as I assume he would be working with the other doctor.
There are none close, so my questions have to do with how often you would actually go to that hospital, or if scans, chemo, radiation, etc can be done closer to home. And should we pick the closest one that is "only" 9 or 10 hour drive... or pick another that people have recommended?
And that being said... anyone have experience with a hospital of excellence in Seattle (closest), Portland, ... or Denver could be reached in a couple days.
Or should we just plan to fly to wherever... though flights also are limited from our area.
Any recommendations, and how to proceed are appreciated.
Thank you.

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sheridanb | @sheridanb | Sep 8 1:10pm
In reply to @ashley2235 "Oregon Health & Science University Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd..." + (show)
@ashley2235

Oregon Health & Science University Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd Portland, OR

Providence Cancer Institute
4805 NE Glisan Street, Suite 6N60 Portland, OR

Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium
Seattle, Washington
Comprehensive Cancer Center

Looks like these 3 facilities are listed amongst the hospitals of excellence for pancreatic cancer. I am from Georgia, so do not have any personal experience. I did however go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for my surgery. I was able to complete chemo and radiation in Atlanta. I am a little over one year out from surgery, and have been returning to Mayo every 3 months for scans. They expect to release me back to local care for monitoring soon. I did have a very complex surgery, so perhaps this is not the norm. Either way, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend getting a second opinion. The more options and information you have, the better!

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Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! At this point I doubt my husband would be a candidate for surgery because of mets to the lungs, lymph nodes, and bones along his spine. 12 rounds of nasty chemo about pushed him over his limit... turned him into a zombi almost unable to get off the couch. But now, 4 months later, on a maintenance chemo he is acting more himself (though still has pain and tires easily). But still would like to hear from other doctors to make sure we are on the right path. Thank you.

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sheridanb | @sheridanb | Sep 17 10:19pm

Our follow up. Called Fred Hutch in Seattle on Monday last week. Sent them some reports, etc to the navigator so she could send on the request of second opinion to the scheduler. Tuesday they called saying they had time to see my husband Friday morning. Wow! He had a scan on Wednesday here and another appointment, then we left for Seattle... getting there Thursday for a Friday morning appointment. Stayed at a "motel" associated with the hospital that also had a shuttle, so that helped us get around the next morning. Doctor in Seattle pretty much agreed with everything done and planned for Dan and did not have any magic to offer for future treatments or trials. We will see the oncologist here tomorrow when Dan goes in for chemo. So, it has been quite the week! 1500+ miles (part of that was a couple days of "vacation" while we were in the Seattle area). Good to have our oncologist's treatments verified, but nothing new added.

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