Need a good doctor reference - Palo Alto, CA

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driscocm
driscocm Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

My friend is in stage IV of breast cancer and has finally found a great team of doctors here in CT. Unfortunately, her husband was laid-off last year and is finally working again, but she has to move to Palo Alto, CA. She can no longer stay in CT alone with her two kids because she's very weak and unable to take care of them. She's concerned that she won't find an excellent team of doctors in Palo Alto, CA. She's been advised to check the list of doctors on her insurance, but is looking for a reccommendation for a GOOD and highly rated doctor. If anyone can reccommend somone with an excellent reputation in Palo Alto, please let me know! She is moving in mid-march, receives radiation 5 days p/week and chemo once a week. Her treatment cannot be stopped  during the move, so she needs to have this in place ASAP. Thank you!

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited February 2012

    Unfortunately, I only know San Francisco doc's.  I am sure someone will post with a recommendation(s).  Also,  I would suggest that you ask the CT doctors for a suggestion--perhaps the doc has a good referral or one of his/her colleagues.  Stanford has a good reputation.

    Good luck and my fingers are crossed that you find a wonderful team again.

    Lizzie 

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2012

    Stanford has a wonderful women's cancer center. They are very highly regarded and right there in Palo Alto. I use them for second opinions and my MO there is Dr. Melinda Telli. She specializes in breast oncology.I would highly recommend her but if your friend calls Stanford there are probably many excellent MO's. Best of luck to your friend.

    Caryn

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited February 2012

    Here is what Bejuce had to say in a PM to me.  Feel free to PM her if you have any questions.  She is a very, very nice person.

     I'm treated at Stanford which I love. My oncologist is Dr. Guardino, my surgeon was Dr. Dirbas and my radiation oncologist was Dr. Horst (Dirbas and Horst are married). Dr. Guardino has a limited practice now and only sees patients on Fridays. Other great alternatives at Stanford for oncologists would be Dr. Sheth and Dr. Telli. Dr. Carlson is an expert too but doesn't seem to have the same caring manner as the women. You can't go wrong with Dirbas and Horst. Please tell your friend to go to Stanford and avoid the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (large clinic in PA). It was there that they ignored my lump for 7 months and told me I didn't need a mammogram because I was too young and had no risk factors. Is your friend younger than 45? If so, and if she needs a support group in the area, the BAYS (Bay Area Young Survivors) is a great one. There's also Breast Cancer Connections on California Ave downtown PA. Bays meets mostly in the city but they do have a strong mets group. Also feel free to tell her to PM me if she has any questions. 

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2012

    Dr. Dirbas is a surgeon. My friend uses Dr. Carlson and she admits his bedside manner is a bit lacking. Dr. Telli, my MO, when I go to Stanford is very warm caring and cutting edge in her knowledge. The first time I saw her, I explained that my younger sister had just passed away from uterine cancer. She took my hands as she spoke to me because she truly understood how this made my dx such an emotional bombshell for me and my family.

    Caryn

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  • driscocm
    driscocm Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2012

    You have NO idea how much I appreciate this information! I've passed it along to my friend Samira and I'm sure she'll be making some phone calls tomorrow when their offices open. Thank you again and best of luck to all of you!

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited February 2012

    I see Dr. Wapnir (BS), Dr. Blayney (MO) and Dr. Horst (RO) at Stanford and I also recommend them all.  Sounds like you can't go wrong there.

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  • driscocm
    driscocm Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2012

    I really appreciate this information. My friend is hoping for a group of doctors that aren't in too big of a group because she dealt with that at Yale a few years ago, and she felt it wasn't personalized enough. She is now in stage IV and is receiving radiation 5 days p/week for her liver & pancreas. She's allowed me to handle finding her new doctors because she's not well enough to deal with it. Again, thank you for this information, it's very helpful!

    Chantal

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited February 2012

    Chantal, what a wonderful friend you are.

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  • Dilly
    Dilly Member Posts: 655
    edited February 2012

     Stanford will be a great place; best wishes to your friend and her family.

    There's a marvelous support group in Palo Alto called Breast Cancer Connections, 390 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto CA, 94306  (650)326-6686

    bcconnections.org

    They helped me a lot back in '96 and are well-set in the community to offer resources your friend may need. You are a friend in deed.

    Kathryn

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