And to think i was saying Hooray last week!

Well if your place has the best toys, why not just stay closer to your place so you don't have to drive 40 miles each way each day. Maybe stay one or two nights a week close to your hospital. That way, no flights, best toys, incentive to stick to the protocol, treat yourself to a few nice meals out, etc.?

Just a thought....

Mike

Pat - Sorry, I've fallen behind on the forum updates and haven't called you like I ought to - bless your heart, after reading this post, I say, set up appts. to get additional opinions...in the meantime, your angels need to pick you up and carry you off to a warm beach somewhere to relax. You need to re-charge your batteries. Hugs, Melodie

Pat, I wish I had a magic wand for you. I have reread your first post, and twice I have started a reply. And twice I scrapped it. I was hoping you would regain your fighting spirit and indeed you have started the fight with your classic "be informed and attack" attitude.

We may not be very well informed on breast cancer but we are part of your extended family and we want to help when we can.
Thank you for all of your support in the past and I can only hope that we can be some small amount of support for you.

George

Yes Mike..its posted on another thread but my slides were sent to the leading breast cancer pathologist in the country who happens to be at Vanderbilt. He agreed with the local path..but i still keep thinking of what are the odds of two of us being identical......I'm always looking for a way out!!
I might ask them to identify blood type...good idea. They'll think i've completely lost it i'm sure.
They have a ton of places to stay with shuttle service but it will still cost me about $2000 if i decide on treatment there but i'm more likely to comply with the protocol there then if i have to drive 40 miles both ways here!!
Pat

I was pretty sure that you'd have already checked out everything that I'd be able to find. Sounds like you already have the answers you need to make your decisions.

So, maybe this is a dumb question but are you having your slides sent out to another pathology lab? I guess your question is probably more of "Are the slides they think are mine, actually mine?" I have no clue on how to figure out that one beyond the way you already mentioned (DNA). I wonder if they can blood type from the slides? Not a sure way to check but at least if you are a different blood type from the other person that had their's done the same day.

When I went to MD Anderson, we stayed at a Hilton simply because I travel a lot on business and had enough points to stay using points. Used airline miles for free tickets also. That stuff came in really handy. When I had my surgery in Denver, my wife was able to stay at the nearby Hilton for the whole time using points. Used them all up though. The plan was to use that stuff for vacations but it sure saved a lot for us when we didn't need to add money problems to everything else we had going on.

Hopefully, some folks that have been there can chime in with recommendations on places to stay. I think all hospitals have deals with local hotels for discounted stays.

Mike

Mike.....yes the 12 is correct for the kind of tumor it was..very low grade and should not have moved out of the area. Thats what has them scratching their heads. Kind of like a cystectomy where the tumor is in tact but those little cells got out anyway. I'm still skeptical of two pathology reports that were identical for the same day and she only did 2 patients that day which was Dec 29...New Years...makes ya think.
I have done my due research on the state of the art machines and indeed the computed Tomography is indeed the best machine to tarket the axilla area especially the supraclavicular region which they can't get to in biopsy anyway. So my place has the best toy. I know the radiation/oncologist has been doing breast and pediatric cancers for a long time and they are one of the first in the country to have this machine so they understand it. I have to hope they have great certified physicists involved with the planning along with a great certified dosimetrist..(those are few and far between)
I have thought about a consult with MD Anderson if i can get in soon enough. I like Dr. Woodward there.
Any hints on where to stay? I've looked at all their apts for rental but if you have an inside scoop let me know.
Pat