Any Experiences With Dr. David Kelsen At MSKCC?

[JDMNYC]

Hi -

Anyone have any experience with Dr. David Kelson at MSKCC?

I'd be grateful to hear about them. Feel free to inbox if you prefer.

Thanks.

[Lee]

Don't know if you got any responses, inbox wise.

Bumping this back to the top for others to see.

good luck,

Lee

[Pita]

Still no responses about the doc? Did you google his reviews, etc? Call the hospital he works out of and ask them what they think about him? MSK? call and ask Dr. Kemeny? that so many use. Grasping at straws here but at this point seems to me any oncologist would be better then the one you have now that tells you that you are terminal. I think that's BS.

From your other post: Not hopeful at all. Repeatedly emphasized that I am terminal and that no treatment will be intended to vary that outcome. No mention of the lymph node independent of the nodules, no suggestion that one nodule might be a metastatic but the others might be something else, flatly refused refused to consider the prospect that chemo now might render nodules operative at some point (assuming they are metastatic) or subject to SBRT or RFA. Pretty amazing. I am trying to get to another oncologist without having to go outside of the mother ship, but if that is not possible, I don't see that I have much choice.

I'm very similar to you except 5 nodules, went off chemo on June 15 due to upcoming surgery for tumor then restarted chemo 8/23 and Avistan will be added on Tuesday. My nodules mildly increased. My Onc wanted me to have chemo up till 2 weeks before the surgery but the surgeon said no, he wanted to start Avistan on the 23rd but the surgeon said no, one incision needed to heal a few more weeks. Onc did not like that I'd be off chemo for 2 months but nothing he could do about it. My Onc fights for me, always tells me that just because I am a Stage 4 it doesn't mean that it cannot be treated with everything that is available. This is the kind of Onc you need. Make an appointment and see if you feel a connection with him. Better yet why not find a Thoracic Surgeon and see what they have to say and perhaps they can recommend an Onc that they team up with.
Sorry for the rant, makes me mad what they've told you. Thinking of you with prayers and hugs...

[mypinkheaven]

Some people don't like his bedside manner. . . . .

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_David_Kelsen/reviews

[JDMNYC]

Thanks all - no, no inboxed responses. Thank you for the bump.

[ams5796]

I'm not sure if you're getting sick of all of us giving you our advice, but I'm going to give it a try anyway. I was thinking about second opinions. I can't tell whether you are getting a second opinion with this new oncologist or if you're changing oncologists at this time. I don't think it's a great idea to get a second opinion at the same institution as your first opinion. I obviously don't know how easy it is for you to go "out of network" but I would consider getting a second opinion at someplace like Dana Farber in Boston. It can't be too far from you. When I had my first recurrence I went for a second opinion and when I got there I found out that the oncologist was a friend and student of my local oncologist. She agreed completely with everything my doctor said! So, I then went for a third opinion and got the information I needed.

Just my two cents.


Ann

[mypinkheaven]

When I had my first recurrence I went for a second opinion and when I got there I found out that the oncologist was a friend and student of my local oncologist. She agreed completely with everything my doctor said! So, I then went for a third opinion and got the information I needed.

Just my two cents.


Ann

I've been thinking about what you just wrote, Ann. I got a 2nd opinion at my HMO. Although I do like this doc better and his plan is a bit different, it almost seemed like from what 2nd was saying, 1st had sent him notes on me. I'll have to fight to get a 3rd opinion out of the HMO's network. Maybe I should be getting a lawyer

Sally

[ams5796]

I've been thinking about what you just wrote, Ann. I got a 2nd opinion at my HMO. Although I do like this doc better and his plan is a bit different, it almost seemed like from what 2nd was saying, 1st had sent him notes on me. I'll have to fight to get a 3rd opinion out of the HMO's network. Maybe I should be getting a lawyer

I'm glad that helped you, Sally. I can't stress enough the importance of a second (third or fourth) opinion. I think whatever you have to do to make that work will be worth it in the long run.

Ann

[JDMNYC]

Maybe I should be getting a lawyer

I think everyone should always have a lawyer - ideally on retainer

[Lee]

When I had my first recurrence I went for a second opinion and when I got there I found out that the oncologist was a friend and student of my local oncologist. She agreed completely with everything my doctor said! So, I then went for a third opinion and got the information I needed.

Just my two cents.


Ann

I've been thinking about what you just wrote, Ann. I got a 2nd opinion at my HMO. Although I do like this doc better and his plan is a bit different, it almost seemed like from what 2nd was saying, 1st had sent him notes on me. I'll have to fight to get a 3rd opinion out of the HMO's network. Maybe I should be getting a lawyer

Sally

Is it possible to get an opinion via the telephone. I was diagnosed 12 years ago and A LOT has changes since then, insurance wise. Butt I had a surgeon and an Onc I was happy with. Butt wanted a 2nd opinion. Was able to call Mayo Clinic here and had a surgeon call me back. He basicly told the same thing both my Dr.(s) told me. I felt good knowing I was getting standard care for my stage.

Don't know if that is possible anymore, ie phone call consult.

Lee

[H is for Hawk]

I had an oncologist who would not win any personality awards, and was not the warm and fuzzy type. I kept seeing him anyway because I thought he had good diagnostic skills, was aware of the latest research, and made decisions based on data, not a hunch. Expecting to find a doctor with good bedside manner may not be the best criteria when selecting a physician. You are going to an oncologist to get the best possible treatment and maximize your lifespan, not to find a friend.

[JDMNYC]

I had an oncologist who would not win any personality awards, and was not the warm and fuzzy type. I kept seeing him anyway because I thought he had good diagnostic skills, was aware of the latest research, and made decisions based on data, not a hunch. Expecting to find a doctor with good bedside manner may not be the best criteria when selecting a physician. You are going to an oncologist to get the best possible treatment and maximize your lifespan, not to find a friend.

Hawk - completely agree. You want a friend, buy a dog. But I do think doctors (and lawyers and auto mechanics and tax and investment advisors) should be able to, and have an obligation to, thoroughly answer questions, and cogently explain recommendations and alternatives, so that one has a basis to make an informed decision.

[JDMNYC]

Adopt a dog, I probably should have said

[mypinkheaven]

Adopt a dog, I probably should have said

Spay and neuter, please.

[JDMNYC]

Spay and neuter, please.

No worries there