RobM,
Hi! Welcome to the forum....this form was a godsend to me in 2007 when I found out that, I, an otherwise, very healthy 56 year old, was diagnosed with BC. This site will offer much info. and lots of emotional support.
I had my TURB done by a urologist in Edmonds, a Dr. John Maldazys, in early March 2007. He was the urologist who first diagnosed me and asked if I could go in for surgery two days later and so I did, at Stevens Hospital...at the time I believed my cancer was only superficial. Right after the TURB, he came in and told me that it was invasive, in the muscle, and recommended 3-4 months of chemo and then surgery to have it removed. I had to remain in the hospital overnight so they could take additional x-rays to ensure the cancer had not spread. Dr. Maldazys was very straight forward and probably very good...but no bed side manner...which is true of many surgeons.
I didn't like the news and was determined to have at least 3 opnions from doctors in other locations. I saw two different surgeons and three different oncologists before I settled on Dr. Lange, who was at the time, the head of the Urology Dept. with UW. I decided on the UW for my surgery and to do my chemo at Skagit Valley Hospital since I live in Mt. Vernon and wanted to be close to home. Dr. Lange has recently resigned as head of the department as he is planning on retiring. It may be that he is still seeing patients...? I have never seen those bios that Pat had the link for...they don't tell us much about the doctors.
Since the surgery I have seen Dr. Jonathan Wright, who assisted Dr. Lange for my RC, but he is not taking any new patients at this time as he is doing mostly research for the next year. I'm not sure who I could refer you to over there but I'm sure there are some other good doctors at work in Urology there.
I had three months of chemo and then had my RC at the UW late last June and spent 10 days in the hospital. I was very pleased with the nursing care there and the doctors. Since it is a teaching hospital, there is a medical team that follows up on the patient during their stay at the hospital so I was never lacking for attention and care.
I am sending you a PM with my phone number and email if you wish to contact me outside the forum. I work in Everett and have a long commute, so it's best if you try to contact me this weekend at home if possible via phone or email...week days I'm usually in bed by 8 p.m. Wishing you the best. Melodie