HAI pump criteria

[Kbee816]

Has anyone had HAI pump treatment/surgery anywhere besides Dr Kemeny at MSK? Her nurse said I’m not a candidate because I had ovarian mets a year ago (removed with surgery). Have had only liver mets for a year now. I am hoping to find a surgeon/oncologist willing to be aggressive with my treatment, but not sure where to look next. Anyone have a suggestion or recommendation?

[mariane]

My husband tried to make an appointment for me with Dr. Kemeny back in 2015. The first nurse refused him because I didn't have all the necessary scans. I had only abdominal and pelvis scans and resonance, no chest. I was recovering from the colon surgery in the hospital in Europe at that time. My husband called a few days later again. This time a very nice nurse answered and showed all my scans to Dr. Kemeny herself. Dr Kemeny wanted to see me immediately. A week later I was flying to NY. Some nurses are more open than others. I think you may try to call once more and ask nurses to show your medical documentation to Dr. Kemeny herself. On my first appointment I asked Dr. Kemeny whether she will refuse to treat me if my chest scans show extra hepatic disease. She promised to help me no matter what my scans showed. I know a few patients of dr. Kemeny who had ovarian and hepatic mets and they got the pump.
Good luck!

[hiker]

Hey Kbee816,

I second what mariane recommended - call back a second time, or a third if needed. Regardless of what some think of Dr. Kemeny, she is actually a very kind, caring person (she's just all business when it comes to treating cancer which I love). Some people say they've never seen her smile. I've had her laughing and at one point I swear she started tearing up when I was telling her how much my kids appreciated her saving their daddy.

I wish you the best.

hiker

[Kbee816]

Thanks for the encouragement to keep pushing! I will call again today and have my husband start working on it, too. The nurse I talked to said she’d pass along my records to “the team” just to have them double check if it’s a possibility, but she said she was pretty certain their answer would be no. Not sure if “team” means Dr Kemeny herself would look them over? I wish they would let me have an appointment with her in person so she could decide. My local oncologist said drs are sometimes more willing to treat/do surgery if they meet you in person and see that you are in good health.

[heiders33]

I never trust that the nurse has the final answer. Definitely try to get an answer from Dr K herself.

[Butt]

I also had an ovarian met that was removed and after that had s liver surgery and the pump. Dr. Mark Bloomston in FL is the man.

[FightCRC]

My local oncologist said drs are sometimes more willing to treat/do surgery if they meet you in person and see that you are in good health.

I definitely believe this. The demand from patients to see Dr. Kemeny is intense. Perhaps the gatekeepers (if you will) are trying to winnow the cases down to the ones that have the highest probability of success. But it's hard as patients to be reduced to a diagnosis. I know, on paper, my wife's situation might have been considered too difficult to bother. Thankfully, though, we were able to see Dr. Kemeny in person. It's very likely that my wife's relatively young age, and her overall good physical condition otherwise, may have tipped the scales in her favor to receive treatment. So I always encourage patients who are in good shape to consult in person whenever possible, even if they've been turned away initally based on medical records. That has to help doctors determine if you can physically tolerate the treatment.

As has been noted here frequently, do not expect much face time with Dr. Kemeny once you become a patient. But all really all that matters now, is that you can become a patient. Wish you all the luck!

[juliej]

One more tip: try getting a referral from your surgeon or oncologist. The referrals go straight to Dr. Kemeny so she'll read about your case. Have the referring doc mention that the ovarian mets have been dealt with and the only concern is the liver mets. Also, ask him to mention that you are in good health overall and might be a good candidate for the pump.

Technically speaking, Dr. K only takes patients with liver mets. However, in real life, she takes whomever she thinks she can help. I had liver and lung mets and she took me. My friend Eric had lung mets but no liver mets and she took him. So don't give up!

Juliej

[cartech78]

There is a doctor named Paul Wright that does HAI pumps at spectrum health in Grand Rapids Michigan. You can try him.

[Butt]

Mark Bloomston in Fort Myers, FL does liver resection and the pump. Awesome guy! Trained up North and internationally recognized.

[LB10]

Hello all
Does anyone know if Dr. Kemeny will treat someone with liver mets from gastric cancer? I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in 2014 and then a new primary of gastric cancer last August. I just found out that I now have liver metastasis. I haven’t seen my oncologist yet to make a plan. My appointment is Tuesday. I’m just trying to gather some information. Thank you.


LB

[Kbee816]

Thanks for the help,all! Seeing Dr K in a week and a half!! She agreed after finally being presented with my actual case. Excited/nervous for what this appointment means...

[Kbee816]

I also had an ovarian met that was removed and after that had s liver surgery and the pump. Dr. Mark Bloomston in FL is the man.

How are you doing in your treatment with HAI pump? We are having to make a decision whether to go that route or stay on maintenance chemo and continuing to ablate tumors that are growing resistant. Not sure what to do!!

[Butt]

Pump is not having any side effects like a systemic chemo does. No fatigue or anything.

[Kbee816]

Pump is not having any side effects like a systemic chemo does. No fatigue or anything.

That’s great! CAn I ask what limitations you have in terms of activity with the pump? I’m a fitness instructor/yoga teacher and am concerned that I won’t be able to keep my job if I get the HAI pump.