Please recommend a hospital

12 years 5 months ago #39564 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Please recommend a hospital
TJ,
If you can't go out of state this uro is ranked by Castle Connolly as a top uro but i do wonder how much bladder cancer he's seen?
www.yalemedicalgroup.org/YMG/directory/public/profile.asp?pictID=66843&nameSearch=&department=&keyword=Colberg&gender=&ageGroup=
A thought i guess.
pat

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12 years 5 months ago #39556 by TJ88
Replied by TJ88 on topic Please recommend a hospital
Thanks a lot, Pat! I will ask my insurance if I can go out of state. In the meantime the urine test revealed no infection and the blood tests showed normal WBC and kidney function but slight anemia. The was no test for cancer cells in the urine, maybe the GP can't ask for such a test. I had an ultrasound performed on Friday and I have an appointment for a cytoscopy next Friday. The pain is now constant, throughout the day, and it keeps me up at night. When I wake up, I am pain free for about 5 seconds, then it takes its place. I had no blood in urine the entire week, but I had again today. I wonder why just in the weekend? Well, we'll see. Thanks and all the best to everyone.

Ann

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12 years 5 months ago #39493 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Please recommend a hospital
TJ,
Conn is not known for its urology. I'm afraid the best docs in urology are in New York City....and you can have your pick there. Memorial Sloan is tops....I would recommend perhaps Dr. Bochner who is a top uro/surgeon and also very personable
www.mskcc.org/prg/prg/bios/616.cfm
And a wonderful female uro/surgeon Dr. M. Donat
www.mskcc.org/prg/prg/bios/335.cfm

Bladder cancer is a strange bird...sometimes there is blood ..sometimes there is not. And maybe it is from your former radiation or exercise......but you do definately need to see a urologist and have a cystoscopy just to make sure.
Did they check for any cancer cells or just for infection?
pat

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12 years 5 months ago #39492 by TJ88
Replied by TJ88 on topic Please recommend a hospital
Thanks a lot, Cynthia! I live close to RI border, and I was actually thinking about MA as well. I'll just have to check with my insurance.

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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #39491 by Cynthia
Replied by Cynthia on topic Please recommend a hospital
Ann, you are very right catching it early and dealing with the best you can fine is key with bladder cancer. The good news is that many more times than not they
symptoms of bladder cancer are not bladder cancer but you are doing the right thing by making sure what you are dealing with. I do not know what part of CT you are in but I live in MA and I had my treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital and there are other places in Boston that are well thought of. If you are closer to NY Sloane Kettering is considered to be world class. Please keep us updated on what is happening with you.

Cynthia Kinsella
T2 g3 CIS 8/04
Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy & Radiation 10/04-12/04
Chemotherapy 3/05-5/05
BCG 9/05-1-06
RC w/umbilical Indiana pouch 5/06
Left Nephrectomy 1/09
President American Bladder Cancer Society

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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #39490 by TJ88
Please recommend a hospital was created by TJ88
Hello,

Short version: Please let me know which hospital in Connecticut has a good urology cancer treatment group.


Long version (mostly venting, please feel free to ignore). I've been reading through the posts and found a common theme of "make sure to choose a good center." I haven't been diagnosed yet, but I am at high risk following radiation treatment for cervical cancer, 9 years ago. I have already been too passive before being diagnosed at that time, trusting doctors who kept saying "there is nothing wrong" when I complained about recurrent pain. I lost almost 2 years with "let's see you again in 6 months." Nine years have passed since that ordeal, and for the past 4 years I've been experiencing pain in the lower part of the abdomen. An MRI done 4 years ago showed just some liquid in the abdomen, but I was told not to worry about it, and I accepted that I have to leave with the pain, a common long-term side effect of pelvic radiation. Recently, a new symptom has appeared: blood in the urine, once two weekends ago, and again this past Sunday. Urine tests showed no infection. Blood, pain - it is all too familiar. All these years I thought that if the cancer comes back in any shape or form, I will not skip a heartbeat, but when I saw that little string of blood in the toilet, my heart just stopped. Then I thought that maybe it was just a small tear, maybe because of dryness or something. However, when it happened again two days ago, it was more that a string of blood, it happened on two consecutive occasions, the first time bright red, and the second time brownish. I try to calm myself with the thought that it happened both times in the weekend, when I do more physical effort, vacuuming and cleaning. Today's test didn't show even microhematuria. But I know how sneaky cancer is, it has a mind of its own. I'd like to increase the my odds by teaming up with an experienced team. I live by myself and just moved here, so I have no support. My chance is to catch his early, or else I will not be able to go through extensive treatments.

Thanks so much for your time and advice.

Ann TJ

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