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Discussion about multiple myeloma treatments, stem cell transplants, clinical trials, alternative medicines, supplements, and their benefits and side effects.

Doctor Search

by vbunke on Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:28 pm

Hi there,

Just found your website - my brother-in-law was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - he and his wife are trying to decide between Arkansas and Mayo - any advice?

Thanks, Vicki

vbunke

Re: Doctor Search

by Julie on Mon Jun 27, 2011 11:05 pm

I was diagnosed Sept of 2010. We live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but chose to go to Mayo for treatment. We have been very happy with our experience. I went once a month for check ups, then at the end of April 2011 we headed to Rochester for my stem cell harvest and transplant. We were there for a total of 6 weeks. Would have been 5, but my neutrophils were a little stubborn and had to wait another week before returning home. I'm home, back to work and doing great! We have 2 kids, 12 and 13 and I'm back to my old self, I'm happy to say. We have been very pleased with all the professionals at Mayo. I understand Arkansas is more agressive with their treatment. I was diagnosed Stage 1 with slow progression so we were looking for a less agressive approach. It just comes down to a personal decision on which path you want to take. I will have my 100 day checkup at the end of July and will see how I'm doing. We're hoping that how great I'm feeling is an indication as to how the transplant worked. I see Dr. Phillip Greipp as my hemotologist and my transplant doc is
Dr. David Dingli. We have so much respect for everyone at Mayo. I'm sure whatever decision you make, it will be the right one for you.

Good Luck

Julie

Julie

Re: Doctor Search

by rumnting on Tue Jun 28, 2011 11:55 am

My husband was diagnosed in April with one of the high risk type MMs. His oncologist here (west Michigan) reccommended that we go to Mayo. We were seen there in May by Dr. David Dingli. Dr Dingli spent one hour and forty minutes one on one with us! My husband is a MD and I am a RN. We may be familiar with medical things, but we are newbies to multiple myeloma. A stem cell transplant is planned for September. Dr. Dingli reassured us that even though the pre and post transplant care is going to be carried out in Michigan, that Dr. Dingli is not our "once and done" doctor - that he is always available for questions. He gave us his email address and phone number. Any emails we have sent have been answered within 24 hours.
Mayo was so organized! We were given an itinerary for that day (various tests, etc), and everything went like clockwork. We know another physician here in our town with the exact same diagnosis. He had his stem cell transplant there in March (different doctor), and has had nothing but positive things to say about the Mayo experience.

rumnting
Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
When were you/they diagnosed?: 4/9/11
Age at diagnosis: 54


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