Ehut wrote:Sadly, I believe many oncologists just go through the motions when the tumors are inoperable and don't pursue aggressive treatment like I think they should in some cases. Fortunately I was operable and didn't need the pump, but if I were in your situation, I would DEFINITELY pursue one.
I spoke to four oncologists in the initial stages of my diagnosis - all at renowned NCIs - one at Cleveland Clinic, two at Northwestern and one at University of Chicago. The last of these was supposed to be one of the top colon cancer specialists in the world, by the way. Not one of them proactively mentioned the pump to me. I think that is because none of their institutions had a true pump program up and running - and doctors are like anyone else, they recommend what they know.
Incidentally, three of the four also refused to talk about surgery, likening it to "talking about college admissions when you haven't been to preschool yet."
Thankfully the oncologist with whom I ultimately ended up working - the one who WOULD discuss surgery - was supportive of the pump and working with Dr Kemeny: "She has a unique skillset that is unlike anything you'll find in the Midwest." So she didn't stand in the way of it - but she didn't push it either. Once I'm on the other side of this, I'm going to make it my business to drive awareness of this as a treatment option and hopefully push for Chicago to get more aggressive about offering it as a treatment locally.
MSK has been flexible about splitting my treatments between there and Northwestern which is local to me - I do my pump chemo in NY every other time, and every other time I do systemic here in Chicago. If City of Hope isn't covered by your insurance, possibly they would be willing to do the same.