ginabeewell wrote:Once every four or five weeks is definitely doable for me. I was worried about having to go every two weeks which would be more challenging.
I can do a day trip from Chicago, or I have plenty of hotel points built up that I can leverage if need be. We splurged points on a room at the Ritz next week because why not? But not exactly a sustainable model for six months of treatment!
I was shocked how all three of my first oncologists had the attitude of "I'll try to keep you alive for two years." My current oncologist was the first one to talk to me about actually curing the cancer. I think that's why I have felt like I wanted to keep her involved, even as Dr Kemeney takes the reins of treatment.
juliej wrote:My local (west coast) oncologist had no problem working with Dr. Kemeny. You'll get chemo in the pump every month in NYC, and the other times you'll get saline, which can be injected locally. It was understood in my cancer center that Dr. K would be directing the treatment so they followed her orders.
If you have hotel points you can use at the Marriott chain, there's a Courtyard at 866 3rd Ave that's just around the corner from Dr. Kemeny's office. Make all your CT scan appointments at that location too and you can have it pretty easy. Helmsley is nice too but it involves two subway lines to get to Dr. K's office (or a taxi, but I'm a subway girl!).
I needed to stay in NYC for several months due to multiple surgeries and treatment, so for awhile I rented a short-term apartment in midtown. I know of other patients who've rented Airbnb apartments too. Hiker and I can give you a ton of tips about getting around, restaurants, etc.
However, if Northwestern can implant the pump this might all be moot advice! Are you going to Dr. Merkow there?
Juliej
ginabeewell wrote:juliej wrote:My local (west coast) oncologist had no problem working with Dr. Kemeny. You'll get chemo in the pump every month in NYC, and the other times you'll get saline, which can be injected locally. It was understood in my cancer center that Dr. K would be directing the treatment so they followed her orders.
If you have hotel points you can use at the Marriott chain, there's a Courtyard at 866 3rd Ave that's just around the corner from Dr. Kemeny's office. Make all your CT scan appointments at that location too and you can have it pretty easy. Helmsley is nice too but it involves two subway lines to get to Dr. K's office (or a taxi, but I'm a subway girl!).
I needed to stay in NYC for several months due to multiple surgeries and treatment, so for awhile I rented a short-term apartment in midtown. I know of other patients who've rented Airbnb apartments too. Hiker and I can give you a ton of tips about getting around, restaurants, etc.
However, if Northwestern can implant the pump this might all be moot advice! Are you going to Dr. Merkow there?
Juliej
Thanks for this info, super helpful!
Yes, Dr Merkow is the surgeon I met with who said that he worked regularly with Dr Kemeney and "practically had her on speed dial." It sounds like they have coordinated in the past, which I am hoping will ease things along. I think NW would prefer to do the pump themselves, but I feel better having MSK do it given the level of experience they have with it relative to Northwestern, and didn't get much push back on that. (All that said, Dr Merkow was great, and I would not hesitate to have him work with me surgically if it were not related to the pump, my primary care doctor said the surgical team at NW is top notch, and I walked away from our meeting super impressed with him.) I also met with the radiologist at NW who is apparently world-renowned. But we put the breaks on radiation discussion once Dr Merkow told us that we couldn't do the pump post radiation. Prior to this, NW's reco for me was radiation while I had my chemo break. I am glad I pushed to ensure the pump continued to be part of the dialogue.
Love any tips / tricks / recos you might have - even if it just good places to eat around Dr K's office! My husband grew up in Rye and lived for several years in Manhattan and then Brooklyn, so I know he is anxious to visit some of his old haunts. Silver lining I guess! The points we have are for Starwood or Marriott so will definitely check out the Courtyard, thanks for that recommendation. : )
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