Gina, Dr Urken was my surgeon. He is the best in the world! I'm not just saying that. Sleep well knowing you are about to meet the man who will give you your life back in the best way possible. Be prepared to not be seen until 10PM. Seriously. Bring some snacks with you and a good book. You will be waiting. Dr Urken spends as much time a patient needs, and ALWAYS is late on patient day. In addition to being probably the world's expert in head and neck surgery, he is a stellar human being. He will give you his cell, will respond to messages, and I don't think the guy ever sleeps. He is saving lives. And, he will save yours. On July 12th, you will be filled with hope!

Wow Eva,
thanks so much. I did hear good things from my doctor at Johns Hopkins, but nothing like this. Honestly I have been struggling with keeping up my optimism, some days i am ok. Other days i am not sure i have the strength. I guess its the same for all of us. I am going to let my support circle of family and friends know what you said. I am sure it will help them as well.

love and hope to us all..

Gina

I have asked Dr Urken on several occasions about who he would recommend in different parts of the country for what he does...he is always hard-pressed to give me an answer because he feels there is no one who has the skills and experience he has. He trains surgeons around the world. He developed the surgery itself. He is young enough to still have his dexterity, but old enough to have more experience than anyone else.
I wish docs out there would be able to say, "I can do this surgery but I know someone better for you." Each surgeon has a specialty these days, and if they don't, they just can't be as good as someone who does. I'm glad your surgeon finally said it!

One foot in front if the other - you will get through this try not to lose hope it truly effects you're healing and potential to heal, recover and bea his. Eva- you're fantastic... It's so awesome to know Gina will be in amazing hands... Expecting great news after your appointment. Hugs!

My doctor got his training from Dr Urken, said he was the best of the best and had always promised to send me to the best place and doctor for me. My doctor is a very good surgeon, i have always felt secure placing my life in his hands. He said he needed to get me out the this atmosphere to a better place (I had a bad meeting with a doctor at hopkins).

Cheryl you correct of course, losing hope will effect my healing. You guys have been great. I feel good.

Gina

Eva, thanks for responding to Gina. I knew you really liked your surgeon, but didn't know about his background. I certainly hope I don't need anymore surgeries in the future, but if I do I will consider Dr. Urken.

Gina, I'm glad you are going to see the best of the best! Let us know what he recommends! Keep the positive thinking and hope -- it does help!

thanks Susan and Eva and everyone else who replied. i will go to sleep tonight having more hope and not feeling so alone. As much as my family and friends love and support me, they can't know what it is like. thanks again.

love and hope to us all
Gina

i wish Ron was more into looking at other docs and second opinions but he said he is done...I told him I am NOT but Doc says it is his choice...

hello suez,
i can understand ron saying he is done with other docs and second opinions. just don't give up on him. he may change his mind. It is his choice, you can't make him to go other doctors. I know you wish you could, If i were in your position I would. My best friend died of AIDS about 5 years ago and i felt he had sorta given up on doctors and opinions the last two years of his life. I couldn't do anything about it, but support him. When i could push him and talk to him i would, but if he didn't want to hear it i backed off. I just loved him and supported him.

Gina

Funnygirl,

I just got a claer scan from the University of Pittsburgh where I went for a third round of radiation after a recurance. I had the University of Michiga, MD Anderson and Sloan Kettering look at my condition and they all said surgery was not an option and I had too much previous readiation to consider more. They all said I could get chemo to slow things down but I was looking at a terminal condition.

The University of Pittsburgh has a trial they have been running for 4 years using cyberknife radiation w/Erbitux. Given the alternativs I went with Pitt. I had four sessions of Chemo and five of cyberknife over two an a half weeks.

The Doctor running the program over there is Dr. Robert Ferris. You can find him on the UPMC website. Have your doctor send Dr. Ferris your records and he will let you know if you qualify for the trial. It worked for me.

Hope this helps.