Postby Rikimaroo » Fri Aug 23, 2019 3:58 pm
I go to Cleveland Clinic in Weston and from what I have read they are a TOP hospital for CRC (Colorectal Cancer, Surgery and Treatment). There staff is so nice and patient and friendly. The doctor's take there time with you and do not rush you out. The Radiation Oncologist Marc Apple who use to work there still helps me on the side at no charge and reviews my images, medical information to give a second opinion versus the doctors at CC. I do agree they are very by the book, almost tunnel vision style. They are afraid of lawsuits, this is why most Major Hospital are focused on Standard of Care and what typically is golden.
They have done a pretty good job with me. Currently my CEA is 1.5 from 1.2 and they want to operate on my pelvic recurrence which from the MRI/Pet report its mostly fibrosis signal, which means its might not even be cancerous given my CEA, scans, blood work etc....Cleveland still thinks surgery with IORT is the way to go and that is a big open surgery with alot of associated risks, that preferably watch and wait approach might be better right now given my current results.
I think they are very pro surgery by the book and don't think outside the box, but I don't know if everywhere else is like this. They are still a great hospital but its always best to get 2nd or 3rd opinions.
RC T3N1M0 12/16
MSS - NRAS Mutation
Chemo Rad, CCR - W&W 5/2017
Recurrence 11/2017
CT Scan 11/2017 Liver Met 5.5cm Stable, Stage IV
LAR/Liver Resect 4/2018
Reversal 10/18
CEA highest 500, lowest .8 throughout process, waiting for latest
Recurrence left vesical/pelvic sidewall - 10/7/2019 resect perm bag,
CEA rise Feb/May 3.7, 8.8, 30, Recurrence in Pelvic
CEA 40 right now, but was 57, so folfiri to beat it back down.
Lots of chemo for the past 4 years.