Hello everyone, South Cali and Arizona!

Hi Julie, You struck such a sweet note in your postings because you care so deeply for your Dad and are searching so diligently for his proper care. By now you may have already decided to move somewhere and may also have found an Oncologist that you are happy with. However, if you have not done those two things, I just want to put in my two cents about my experience with my hubby’s situation. He is currently being treated at Banner MDA and we both are so very pleased with his care there. His Oncologist is Dr. Kundranda and he is just wonderful insofar as he actually has a grant to do research on bilary cancer, particularly cc. Not only is he tops in his profession but also he is extremely patient and informative. He listens!!! It is so important, also, for a man to be able to relate to a physician and often times that isn’t the case. However, Dr. Kundranka is such an understanding person to talk to and always, and I mean always, answers every question asked, whether it be by hubby or by me. Banner MDA is an incredible facility and I think you would be most impressed if you could just take a tour. Their Oncology Department treats each chemo patient so wonderfully and with such tenderness, too. Each patient has a very private cubicle, an assigned nurse and even lunch is catered!

Julie, go to our INDEX on the Home page and there are all kinds of posts under HOSPITALS.

Dear Julie, welcome to our remarkable family but sorry you had to find us.
I am also in Phoenix, actually live in Gilbert. I am usually not quite as frank as I am going to be on a welcome note. but I cannot think of anyone on our Board who has been treated at CTCA as they are a good Cancer Center but they do not do much with CC. CC is so rare but strides are being made. You want to be with an Oncologist who has treated quite a few CC patients. One that is open to new treatments and especially trials. If you can tell me what part of this vast city you are in I can try and steer you to a couple of ONCs. I went to Banner MDA here for myself and also had a talk with the ONC about CC and they have not treated that much in CC here. MDA in Houston is the tops. This MDA is actually a Banner Hospital, which is good bit not where I would be for CC. I will only go to Banner for myself or if a GREAT ONC sent me there. Mu husband had the BEST ONC but he has retired yet everything he did was at Banner Desert. Guess what I am trying to say is I would get my new ONC immediately as that would be the best starting point. Then you build a team from there. I have to say we do not want to go to a Doctor who gives up before anything is tried. We have many patients who were deemed inoperable and went on to have successful surgeries. Again if you tell me what area you are in perhaps I can help more.