Diagnosed in Berkeley San Francisco

menelao

I am writing for a friend diagnosed with HER2 positive estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who needs raccomandation for surgeon and center/ oncologist.

Her case has been discussed at a tumor board at Kaiser. But she heard of Stamford and UCSF and need names of surgeons.

Thank you

exbrnxgrl

Hi,

I am a Kaiser patient in the Bay Area. If your friend belongs to Kaiser, she cannot go outside the Kaiser system, unless she wants to self pay. I did have my second opinions at Stanford, but had to pay for them on my own (quite pricey, but worth it ). Best of luck !

menelao

Thank you very much! I will pass to my friend.

If you don’t mind asking can you privately send me the name of the surgeon and oncologist you used and which kaiser permanent you went to? Can you move from one location to the other I imagine to see the best surgeon? Is there a website where women treated at Kaiser connect to exchange information?

Did you get a second opinion about surgery or about treatment or both?

Thank you again, I live in NYC and all my sources of information are local

exbrnxgrl

Hi menelao,

Small world! I grew up in the Bronx, but have lived in California for 30 years.

I was, and still am, treated at Kaiser Santa Clara. Yes, within the Kaiser system, you can move to any location you wish (I was originally seen at Kaiser San Jose but moved to Santa Clara because it was a newer facility and had a respected oncology department). My surgeon's name is Dr. Stevanson (sp?). I do not know if he is still with Kaiser as he ended up being the doctor I had the shortest relationship with, as after surgery, my follow up was with the plastic surgeon and then the oncologist. My plastic surgeon was amazing, but he has moved to Texas. I did switch oncologists early on and now see Dr. Lucy Song. She is wonderful, seems up to date on the latest research, is warm and compassionate. She respects my intelligence and gladly answers all of my questions and concerns.

I am not aware of any group or website for Kaiser patients to exchange information. That doesn't mean such a thing doesn't exist! My second opinions took place after surgery and after my bone met was found, and I went to Stanford. Kaiser happily shared information with their tumor board and Dr. Melinda Telli who communicated freely with Dr. Song at Kaiser. Second opinions(outside of Kaiser) were at my own expense.

I love the Kaiser model but not everyone is comfortable with it as they feel constricted by having to stay within the Kaiser system (however, it is a huge system in the Bay Area). They focus on wellness and keeping medical interventions to those that are necessary. At Santa Clara (and perhaps other campuses) everything is centrally located, including pharmacies, infusion center, imaging, radiation center, hospital etc. I often joke that it's like an all inclusive resort for medical needs. Also, I never worry about insurance approving or rejecting claims. If my doctor orders a test or imaging, it's done with a few keystrokes, as is access to all medical records (i.e.I never have to have records sent to anyone). The patient portal is great too. They have weekly Farmer's Markets to encourage good nutrition, and many classes for cancer patients and general wellness.The concept of a "best" surgeon, oncologist etc., was less important to me than it is to some. I have faith in their medical competency and their less is more philosophy (of course, if you need "more" medically, it is readily available!). I have lived well with stage IV bc for 7 years (I still work full time!). No one can entirely say why, but I must give a lot of the credit to Kaiser's approach.

However, those wishing to have a completely open option i.e. choosing doctors from anywhere they want, may not be comfortable with Kaiser. Some folks just feel constricted by having to stay within their system. Best of luck to your friend and please feel free to contact me with any other questions you might have.