Cancer Treatment Center or University Hospital?

Dearest srengle and family, I am deeply sorry about Steve’s Passsing, and I know we all feel he is in a more Peaceful place now. It is natural to look back and question, please don’t! There is no right or wrong with CC as we all do the best we can. I promise you in time the “bad” memories will fade and you will remember the best!

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain,
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die. By Mary Elizabeth Frye

Dear srengle,

You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. You are right: this disease is devastating… Please take comfort in knowing that he went peacefully with your family surrounding him…and know that you have many here on this “board” who share your sorrow.

May God bless you with excellent memories and healing of your heart.

Love,

Patti

srengle,

You and your family have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband. No words can change what happened or make it better, but try to take comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering or in pain. Keep him forever in your heart and memories. We are all here for you to help and support you in any way we can.

Love & Hugs,
Darla

PS — Bruce is also meeting with his team of doctors in Pittsburgh this week to review options going forward as they see it. He spent quite a bit of time yesterday talking to his surgeon (Yes, on a Sunday! – Dr. Marsh is an incredible, compassionate and passionate human being…extremely dedicated!). Bruce has been off of the chemo (gemzar/cisplatin) since July and has had some reoccurrence of tumors in his liver along with some FDG avid areas in his abdomen. Dr. Marsh is proposing a different approach which we will need to review with Dr. Marks (Bruce’s oncologist). We also have been consulting with Dr. Sun, who is an expert in CC. We will be holding a very intense family pow-wow once we have all data from the Pittsburgh team and CTCA.

I, too have heard things about CTCA. My opinion is that if you want to stay local, you contact your insurance company to see if the facilities accept your insurance, etc. Then go to BOTH and see which one you like best. We encourage 2nd opinions around here, and everyone’s experiences are different.
So talk to every facility you can, and compare the oncs, plans of attack, etc. THEN make your decision. But make sure your insurance will cover it. It’s expensive enough without having to worry about out of network expenses, too.
CTCA is not a preferred provider under AETNA.

Notdoneyet….I am glad to hear of your successful story. Please, know that any personal experience may it be seemingly popular or not, is of value to us all.
I wish for all good things to continue coming your way.
Hugs,
Marion

I realize this will not be a popular post but the facts for my family with CTCA, Stanford and UC Davis are quite different then I’m reading here. The “major medical institutions” we first went to could not diagnosis the cancer. The appointments were weeks out, waiting for test results took days and the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing. We went to CTCA whom diagnosised the cancer, IMMEDIATELY AND EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVELY began treatment and my son is now walking, driving and enjoying his life again. Yes they are a for profit hospital, that was founded by a businessman who lost his Mother to cancer and despised the way they were treated. They are positively not just in it for the money. They are not a preferred provider on my sons Blue Shield/Blue Cross, they accept what the insurance pays and do not charge us the difference. They said do not worry about it, I worried, until we received the bills. True to their word. I am not worried about it. They will also pay your deductible if you are not able. They deal with people in late stage cancers. Realistically the survival rate will be low, but not from lack of excellent care. They have researchers closely involved with every institution worldwide. AND if your insurance will not pay for a drug (chemo) they will absorb the cost if it is necessary to your treatment. It is not just shine and glitter. The patient is number one and they have proven that to my family and many more we have met there since June 1, of this year! Stanford is so over worked, over crowded and understaffed they lose you in the shuffle. Davis hadn’t a clue. CTCA does not receive the research grants and govt monies the large institutions do but they do accept minimum payments from insurance. Sorry this was so long but I thought a response from someone who is there and appreciates them should be heard. This does not mean I am not looking under every rock for a cure for my child, but every rock I lift confirms all I’m being told.