I am not sure if anyone might have gone through dealing with multiple myeloma, having a great oncologist, and had to move to another state.
I am not sure if the move is for sure yet, but the possibility is there. I will be having a stem cell transplant (SCT) after the first of the year and, so far, I have reached a complete response from treatments. I am currently on a maintenance of Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone.
The move would be to the area around Austin, Texas.
My questions would be how does one deal with finding a new oncologist and specialists being new to that area. Does anyone know that area and what is offered for multiple myeloma patients?
Castaway
Forums
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
M.D. Anderson in Houston is a great hospital and has several myeloma specialists on staff. It is a 3-4 hour drive from our home, but my husband has had all of his treatment there - including his stem cell transplant in April. Houston is also a couple of hours from Austin but definitely worth the drive.
Of course, already having a doctor you're happy with does make you situation different from ours, in that we never considered going anywhere but MD Anderson. I think if we ever had to move out of state we would still try to make it work to be able to go to Houston for treatment.
Of course, already having a doctor you're happy with does make you situation different from ours, in that we never considered going anywhere but MD Anderson. I think if we ever had to move out of state we would still try to make it work to be able to go to Houston for treatment.
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reece93 - Name: reece93
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
One of the places to start is to ask your current oncologist if s/he has a recommendation of a myeloma specialist in the Austin area. Since I'm not familiar with the geography of Texas, you may end up having to drive a way for a specialist. If the specialist is a distance from Austin, then once established with one you could ask if they know of an oncologist in Austin who they've coordinated care with who you could see.
Moving scares me because of that. I like my oncologist and it would feel like a death in the family to move away from him and the health system that I know. But, the place that I would even consider at this point has a well respected myeloma specialist at the cancer center there.
Nancy in Phila
Moving scares me because of that. I like my oncologist and it would feel like a death in the family to move away from him and the health system that I know. But, the place that I would even consider at this point has a well respected myeloma specialist at the cancer center there.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
Reece1993,
Thank you very much for your experience there at M.D. Anderson. My multiple myeloma hospital and specialist is 200 miles from my home now, so I am used to driving a distance anyway. My oncologist is really a great guy and his staff is the best. I hate to lose that relationship. I was born and raised here where I live, as were my parents, who both have passed away. Lots to think about if this happens. Sure is great having the Beacon.
Nancy,
Thank you for the advice. Even though I am in California, I am sure my oncologist has all the connections needed for this type of situation where people move out of area and need to get the best possible care.
It scares me also to think about a possible move. Today my wife got a call from her sister saying she was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer. We don't know all the details yet. She is the last relative living near us, so that will play into things also.
Thank you both,
Castaway
Thank you very much for your experience there at M.D. Anderson. My multiple myeloma hospital and specialist is 200 miles from my home now, so I am used to driving a distance anyway. My oncologist is really a great guy and his staff is the best. I hate to lose that relationship. I was born and raised here where I live, as were my parents, who both have passed away. Lots to think about if this happens. Sure is great having the Beacon.
Nancy,
Thank you for the advice. Even though I am in California, I am sure my oncologist has all the connections needed for this type of situation where people move out of area and need to get the best possible care.
It scares me also to think about a possible move. Today my wife got a call from her sister saying she was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer. We don't know all the details yet. She is the last relative living near us, so that will play into things also.
Thank you both,
Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
Hi George,
It sounds like you have a difficult decision coming up. The one thing I would recommend is that you not let your worries about moving away from your current myeloma specialist play too important a role in your decision. If you move to Austin, it will be just as far to Houston and MD Anderson as you currently have to travel to see your myeloma specialist.
More importantly, MD Anderson doesn't just have one or two myeloma specialists. They have LOTS of them, probably more than just a handful of other cancer centers in the country. They have lots of experience treating myeloma patients; they know all about the latest research and new drugs; and they have lots of ongoing clinical trials.
So don't let any concerns about treatment of your myeloma and access to a top myeloma specialist influence your decision. You'll be able to get that in Austin just as easily as you do now. Also, if you decide to move to Austin, you can probably get a consultation with someone at MD Anderson before your move, and I would think they can recommend a doctor in Austin that can handle whatever you need to have done regularly there.
Good luck with your decision, and let us know any further questions about this you may have.
It sounds like you have a difficult decision coming up. The one thing I would recommend is that you not let your worries about moving away from your current myeloma specialist play too important a role in your decision. If you move to Austin, it will be just as far to Houston and MD Anderson as you currently have to travel to see your myeloma specialist.
More importantly, MD Anderson doesn't just have one or two myeloma specialists. They have LOTS of them, probably more than just a handful of other cancer centers in the country. They have lots of experience treating myeloma patients; they know all about the latest research and new drugs; and they have lots of ongoing clinical trials.
So don't let any concerns about treatment of your myeloma and access to a top myeloma specialist influence your decision. You'll be able to get that in Austin just as easily as you do now. Also, if you decide to move to Austin, you can probably get a consultation with someone at MD Anderson before your move, and I would think they can recommend a doctor in Austin that can handle whatever you need to have done regularly there.
Good luck with your decision, and let us know any further questions about this you may have.
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
Hello Cheryl G,
Thank you for all the good information. I had the stem cell harvest part completed and will be having the SCT after the first of the year. I am hoping for a speedy and positive outcome.
The consultation at MD Anderson is a good idea. That way insurance can be gone over also. It's great that you have shared the information on MD Anderson and your thoughts on the specialists.
My daughter, hubby, and the kids are going to Austin to visit friends in two weeks. They might be moving there also. If it was completely up to her, they would have already moved.
Thank You, Castaway
Thank you for all the good information. I had the stem cell harvest part completed and will be having the SCT after the first of the year. I am hoping for a speedy and positive outcome.
The consultation at MD Anderson is a good idea. That way insurance can be gone over also. It's great that you have shared the information on MD Anderson and your thoughts on the specialists.
My daughter, hubby, and the kids are going to Austin to visit friends in two weeks. They might be moving there also. If it was completely up to her, they would have already moved.
Thank You, Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
My mother was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma and lives in the Austin, Texas area. She soon will be seeing Dr. Jason Melear at Texas Oncology. He is an oncologist / hematologist that treats multiple myeloma and blood disorders. We also would be interested in knowing, however, if there are other myeloma specialists in the area, for a second or third opinion.
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Fee316 - Name: Fee316
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My mom has been diagnosed with Stage 2 M
- When were you/they diagnosed?: My mom was diagnosed Nov. 27, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
Castaway,
I live in Austin, have multiple myeloma, and go to a hematologist / oncologist who is a myeloma specialist. Dr. Jerry Fain with Texas Oncology. He is compassionate and works with the myeloma specialist. I see at MD Anderson in Houston.
Best of luck.
Carol
I live in Austin, have multiple myeloma, and go to a hematologist / oncologist who is a myeloma specialist. Dr. Jerry Fain with Texas Oncology. He is compassionate and works with the myeloma specialist. I see at MD Anderson in Houston.
Best of luck.
Carol
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caroldancey - Name: C Dancey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
Most of the oncologists at Texas Oncology will work with the specialists at MD Anderson. So you could see a specialist in Houston and coordinate your treatment through the local oncologist in Austin. That way you would not have to travel to Houston regularly to get treatment.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Possible move to Texas - concerns re: doctor & treatment
Castaway, you work for IBM? I've also been told to move to Austin this spring. Debating what to do so I'm following this thread with interest.
Jerry
Jerry
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JBarnes - Name: Jerry Barnes
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Aug 17, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
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