Newly diagnosed, looking for advise on hospital/doctor selection
hi, I was just diganosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on June 9th. The past week has been a whirl, although I feel a little as if I am watching someone else’s life right now… I am not in denial, but still cannot believe this is happening.
I have already had a consultation with a breast surgeon. I am meeting with a second doctor end of this week as well.
One of the big questions in my head is: do I go with a local doctor and local hospital(10-25 minutes away from home), who may be good, but not the best, or travel to the city ( 1-3 hours away depending on traffic), where the hospitals are much more known for cancer care.
I am looking for anyone who is located on Long Island, NY, and is willing to share/talk about their experience, - good and the bad - with me either her or privately.
If there is a thread similar to this already, please point me to it. I am just starting all my research and I appreciate all help I can get…
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Hello, I'm sorry you have reason to be here. Uncertainty is part of the process, unfortunately. It's best to seek out 2nd opinions, even though the field of medicine is imperfect. Keep searching until you find the team you'll be comfortable with. Best wishes.
IS ANYONE FROM NYC HERE?
https://community.breastcancer.org/en/discussion/comment/5922082#Comment_5922082?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=nyc1 -
Hi Csuga,
I’m sorry for the diagnosis but you’ve come to a great place. I lived in Nassau County now I’m in NYC. Long Island does have a lot of good centers for breast cancer. If you’re close to one, even if not, it might be better to go with a bigger, more seasoned but do your research and what feels best for you. Reach out if anything.
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Csuga -
Sorry you are going through this, and I think many would say that this period, when you are trying to come up with a plan, is one of the most difficult times in the journey.
One thing I would add to the advice you've already received is that treatment goes on for a long time. Chemo, if needed, is every two weeks. Radiation, when given, is often five days a week for five weeks. And there are follow-up appointments. So do consider your tolerance for hopping on the train all the time. I ended up going with a major center in the city because that is where I worked, and I could duck out of the office to make appointments.
But the truth is that, for doctors (ER/PR+, HER2-), my cancer was pretty run-of-the-mill. Treatment recommendations would likely have been the same no matter where I went (although some centers are known for being more aggressive, which is something you might want to think about.) And here's the thing - my cancer treatment was, for the most part, fine. But everything around it, especially acknowledging and dealing with side effects, was a disaster. The center was just too much of a machine.
You probably have a little time before you need to start treatment, and are wise to meet with a second doctor. Are they also a surgeon, or a medical oncologist? Try and compare what they are telling you, and good luck in trying to to connect someone who has been treated locally. If your cancer is unusual (I don't know what the low HER2 means for your treatment plan) then maybe a larger center is the way to go. But if you can find a local team that others have good experience with, I wouldn't be afraid of that, either. And remember, you can always change teams.
Wishing you the best!
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Welcome aboard, but still sorry you're a new member of the club to which no one wants to belong. To be candid, I live in NYC; however, I have and have had many friends and colleagues who live and work on the Island. I am not unfamiliar with the territory. That being said, I have been treated at MSK in NYC since February 2021. My experience has been totally positive. I have received the best of care. MSK has three centers on Long Island: Nassau (the newest), Commack and Hauppauge. That could offer you the best of both worlds, local treatment and your doctors having access to consultations and advice from the main cancer center. That's my two cents. I wish you all the best as you begin this journey. Please let us know how you are doing.
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You’re within just a few hours of one of the best cancer centers in the world—Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I would definitely consider going there. While the initial appointments may be close together, once your surgery and treatment plan are in place, follow-ups are typically just every six months, and eventually once a year.
They have some of the top doctors and researchers, and their work is guided by the latest advancements in cancer care. You’d truly be in the best hands.
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I don't know how far out on LI you are, but LIJ (Long Island Jewish) in Lake Success (just over the line from Queens) has the Zuckerberg Cancer Center, which is affiliated with Cold Spring Harbor's cancer research institute. So is its sister hospital, NorthShore, in Manhasset. And MSK's Nassau County satellite is in Uniondale (near Hempstead & Hofstra U., on the LIRR).
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Hi again @csuga125,
We're just checking in as we haven't seen much of you since you first posted — and have received some great, helpful advice from the others above that we want to make sure you've seen.
Have you made any decisions regarding your treatment or second opinion? We'd love an update.
Thinking of you!
—The Mods
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