Searching for what is or is not reasonable

[CatherineG inAF]

I'm still overseas but I have two appointments scheduled. May 26th in Arizona and June 2nd in Seattle.
My mother owns a home in Oregon and in Arizona. I have a 17 year old daughter.

I'm confident that the place in Arizona and the place in Seattle are both very competent physicians/surgeons. The care in either location would probably be the same. So that part is not part of the deciding factors.

If I go to Arizona, I will stay in a trailer park for retirees. It will be quiet and boring. Maybe boring isn't a problem for me, but it might be for my 17 year old. I'm trying to give her something to do as well this summer.

If I go to Seattle, I will stay in hotels when necessary. My daughter will be able to catch a bus and travel. She will have something to do. When I'm feeling better, I can go my mom's house in Portland. Portland and Seattle are 3 hours apart. Is this a reasonable plan? I know people travel for care, how far is normal?

[mike1965]

I would try to find the best colo-rectal surgeon to do the surgery. In my opinion you could travel for this care. Since it is surgery and it is not on going like Chemo. I live in So Cal and went to a major cancer center with a great surgeon to get it done. I did not trust the surgeon at the local hospital. I traveled about 30 miles. But well worth it surgeon did a great job. However for the chemo since it was straightforward I opted to go to my local hospital for chemo. It seemed to me that chemo is chemo regardless of where are receiving and I liked the oncologist at my local hospital. The main reason I opted for local chemo was time. The first day of chemo last 4 hours and I did not want to have to travel a hour to get home. The third day I have to go back and get pump removed. I do not feel that great on these days so I wanted less travel time. I pray all goes well. Also my oncologist told me sometimes you have to be selfish and think about your self especially during this hard battle. I know you love your daughter but you have to do want is best for you so you can get better and have a long life with her. I pray all goes well with your treatment.

[Lee]

I live in Arizona, it gets pretty hot in the summers here. About the only thing people do around here is stay indoors of play at the pool. If you do choose here, maybe your daughter could enroll in a fun summer school class. There she could meet new friends her age.

Could you do your signature line. I'm not sure if you have colon or rectal cancer. If rectal, I agree with Mike, you really need to find the best "board certified" colon rectal surgeon. You only got one shot at this. I can highly recommend a colon rectal surgeon in Mesa if you need it. There are many great hospitals around here that deal with cancer. This is retirement city.

Best to you in whatever location you choose

Lee

[khadars]

Seattle is much better than Arizona in cancer care.

Please go to the University of Washington Cancer Center.

[CatherineG inAF]

Thank you all. I decided on Seattle Carr Cancer Alliance.


Thank you for helping me think this through to conclusion.

[Jacques]

...Could you do your signature line. I'm not sure if you have colon or rectal cancer.,..

Signature template:
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=52681&p=421597#p421597