Question about local healthcare

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

Hospitals can sometimes be like a school. You could have a sub-par school that employes a fantastic teacher. Same goes with hospitals. You can have a great hospital and get a doctor that disappoints. Boston is home to the best hospitals in the entire world. Mass General, Joslin Diabetes Ctr. and Dana Farber are a few of the world's elite. I used to have the privilege of picking up patients at Logan Airport from all over the world and transporting them directly from their plane to Boston hospitals. I'm talking royal family members from places like Saudi Arabia. They get sick, they come to Boston.
Sounds like you started your treatment at the right place. I would take any hospital associated with Dana Farber or MGH if I were being treated for any cancer or heart disease. After specific diagnosis don't avoid a second or third opinion...the hub of medicine is at your disposal.
It's great that you will be able to avoid long drives during the snowy months. There are amazing advancements every day and many clinical studies that may also be an option. Stay positive, sometimes optimism is better than any drug.
I wish you all the luck in your treatment. Once you get the specifics on your type of lymphoma, research research research. Ask your doctor about holistic remedies (teas) that you can take in conjunction with conventional treatment.
godspeed

Thank you, Paugus Bay Firefighter. I agree with everything you say. I worked for more than 30 years at MGH. We got the patients who had run into problems at other hospitals in New England. We rarely got transfers from Concord, Dartmouth, or Maine Med. We frequently got transfers from Eliot. People need to know they will get better care at the facility with the most experience.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Chaselady

Thank you, Paugus Bay Firefighter. I agree with everything you say. I worked for more than 30 years at MGH. We got the patients who had run into problems at other hospitals in New England. We rarely got transfers from Concord, Dartmouth, or Maine Med. We frequently got transfers from Eliot. People need to know they will get better care at the facility with the most experience.

Not to mention, the trauma center at MGH was great too. When it comes to doctors, I'll never forget what George Carlin said...

"Somewhere in the world is the world's worst doctor. And what's truly terrifying is that someone has an appointment with him tomorrow morning."

[CozbyDog]

Thank you for the replies, it looks like I will be be doing a day of chemo up here at LRGH, followed by 3 weeks of rest, followed by an overnight of chemo at MGH for about 15 weeks. They are going at it aggressively as the recent tests showed a more rare form of lymphoma and my oncologist thinks that age is on my side and I will handle it well. Not to bore you with medical stuff- just wanted to say I appreciate your input on this subject.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by CozbyDog

Thank you for the replies, it looks like I will be be doing a day of chemo up here at LRGH, followed by 3 weeks of rest, followed by an overnight of chemo at MGH for about 15 weeks. They are going at it aggressively as the recent tests showed a more rare form of lymphoma and my oncologist thinks that age is on my side and I will handle it well. Not to bore you with medical stuff- just wanted to say I appreciate your input on this subject.

Best of luck with your chemo program, CozbyDog. Hope it is 100% successful.

[HomeWood]

I can't make any Dr suggestions, but I want to wish you the best!

[radioman]

Several weeks ago i had emergency surgery at plymouth gen. Hosp.
Having been in the med. Field for 50 yrs let me just tell you that thoes people are just simply the very best!!

[fatnoah]

Best of luck beating this!

The only thing I want to add is that the only way to ensure you receive the best care is to get educated and be the one in control of your treatment. Be prepared to question your doctors and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

[codeman671]

My wife is an Oncology RN at Seacoast Cancer Center at Wentworth Douglas in Dover. I am a patient there as well, non-cancer related. Great place, great people.

[Oletimer]

Originally Posted by fatnoah

Best of luck beating this!

The only thing I want to add is that the only way to ensure you receive the best care is to get educated and be the one in control of your treatment. Be prepared to question your doctors and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

How do you get a second opinion in this day and age? It's hard enough finding a Dr.for primary care!

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by Oletimer

How do you get a second opinion in this day and age? It's hard enough finding a Dr.for primary care!

Your primary care doctor gives you a referral to a special care doctor. You can request another referral from your primary and it doesn't cost any more, just call him and ask.
My primary is associated with LRGH but all my referrals are to doctors outside of LRGH. I simply told my primary that I would not do business at LRGH. The best thing is there are plenty of specialists in the lakes region that are not affiliated with LRGH so finding someone to refer me to is not a problem for my primary doctor. I have no problem driving to Concord or and Lebanon if the need arises.