#53141 08-24-2006 09:25 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 75 Senior Member (75+ posts) | OP Senior Member (75+ posts) Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 75 | Hello, my dad is going through his cancer treatment at the VA Hospital. They are good, when he can get in to see them. He can only talk to his doctor at the appointment. If he calls he gets a computer. So he can't ask questions about anything until the appointment- two weeks later. This seems like a long wait for someone who needs emergency treatment. He just had two surgeries there and is trying to set up for radiation and chemo and HBO. His doctors are contemplating on the next plan of action. His doc says one thing and his Rad says another.So we wait. What I want to know is will this be the only hospital or facility that will treat him without insurance. He is a retired veteran with no insurance and no chance to get any .(while this going on in his life) It's not that we are not pleased with the VA but we would like more options. If we had a private doctor working with us they would let us talk to the doctors more, they'd call us back, could they get him into treatment faster? I'm not sure if it really makes a difference- or does it?
karen and dad
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#53142 08-24-2006 10:38 PM | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 23 Member | Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 23 | Would your dad qualify for medicare? This would give you options if he does. Also, does he have TRI-Care, he would need to pay c0-pays. There may be times during treatment that you will not be able to wait 2 weeks. When my husband was having radiation and chemo there was some weeks that I would be on the phone with the MD 2-3 times a week and we had weekly visits.I know this is not the care with all.
NANCY
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#53143 08-25-2006 08:19 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | Platinum Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 | Hi Karen,
It's not uncommon for the RAD Onc and the Med Onc not to talk to each other. But you must communicate what each says to the other. I found that to be my responsibility while in treatment. Does the VA have a patient advocate. I know they do in Durham where my wife works. That may be one place to start.
Steve
SCC, base of tongue, 2 lymph nodes, stage 3/4. 35 X's IMRT radiation, chemo: Cisplatin x 2, 5FU x2, & Taxol x2. Hooray, after 3 years I'm in still in remission.
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#53144 08-25-2006 08:57 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Steve, I have to disagree with you on this one. This was not my experience at all, nor would it have been acceptable to me. A multidisciplnary team is essential. I had every one of them except plastic surgery, opthomology, speech and swallowing therapy and nuerosurgery.
The following is from the TEAM1 page of the NCCN Oncology Practice Guidelines:
"Team Approach Head and Neck Cancers
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM The management of patients with head and neck cancers is complex. All patients need access to the full range of specialists and support services for optimal treatment and follow-up. with expertise in the management of patients with head and neck cancer:
Head and neck surgery Radiation oncology Medical oncology Plastic and reconstructive surgery Specialized nursing care Dentistry/prosthodontics Physical medicine and rehabilitation Speech and swallowing therapy Clinical Social work Nutrition support Pathology Diagnostic radiology Adjunctive services Neurosurgery Ophthalmology Psychiatry Addiction Services
SUPPORT AND SERVICES
Follow-up should be performed by a physician with expertise in the management and prevention of treatment sequelae. It should include a comprehensive head and neck exam. The management of head and neck cancer patients may involve the following:
Pain and symptom management Nutritional support Enteral feeding -Dental care for RT effects -Oral supplements Xerostomia management Smoking cessation Tracheotomy care Social work and Case management Supportive Care"
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#53145 08-25-2006 03:43 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Karen, I have no experience with VA hospitals, but I have lots of experience with "the squeaky wheel gets the oil". Get the names and numbers of nurses you can call. Tell his Docs [during his next appt.] that you need a way to talk to a person-not a computer if he is in trouble- Does his hospital have an ER? I have gotten some direct phone #'s by being insistant. Put your boots on and march! Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#53146 08-25-2006 03:45 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | P.S. Send your above post to your Senator, Congressman and Govenor.
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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#53147 08-26-2006 04:55 PM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 75 Senior Member (75+ posts) | OP Senior Member (75+ posts) Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 75 |
karen and dad
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#53148 08-27-2006 06:58 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 75 Senior Member (75+ posts) | OP Senior Member (75+ posts) Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 75 | P.S My dad just applied for medicare. So, we'll see. Also I am going to Atlanta next week to meet doctors and help my dad for a little bit so I'll see what is going on first hand.
karen and dad
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#53149 10-24-2006 12:34 PM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 Member | Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 | My mother just got thru with Tonsil cancer and radiation. She has no ins. and on medicare and needs dental implants/ a prosthesis and teeth. Does anyone know of an Oral Prosthodontic dr that will take payments????? She lives by Portland Oregon. thanks | | |
#53150 10-25-2006 12:58 AM | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1 Member | Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1 | SEE IF YOU HAVE A SCHOOL OF DENISTRY WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE? ALSO CHECK WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN YOUR AREA. MEDICAID PAYS FOR SOME DENTAL PROCEDURES. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!!!!
LOVING HUSBAND OF CINDY WHO IN 2002 @ 42YRS. OLD HAD, SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA TONGUE STAGE IV SURVIVOR. RADICAL NECK 2 NODES INVOLVED 1/5TH TONGUE REMOVED, RADIATION.
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