Anyone in NC

Dear Jenn - I used to live in North Carolina. It does depend on where you live - the academic hospitals are good, but there are also good facilities all over the state. If you're living in one of the larger cities  you should have stuff closeby. If you're living in a more rural area, you may need to travel.

It depends on what you're looking for, and where you'll be. but if you know this, then i might be able to suggest some things. 

Good luck! 

Hi Jenn - I live in the Raleigh area. I have wonderful doctors. If you are going to be in this area, PM me and I will give you more inforrmation if you would like, Barbara

Jenn - Duke is a top - ten Cancer Research Institute. Yes, it is a bit of a haul from Charlotte, but you should still consider it if you possibly can make the commute a few times, for at least part of your treatment, an evaluation of your file, if nothing else. I am not in NC but I live right across the border in VA and I just had my file sent there for a second opinion following the crapola I went through at another location in VA. Should've just gone to Duke in the first place - it's sometimes tough to get an appointment, but once you are in the treatment is amazing, according to my friends who have already done this.

My daughter's godfather lives in Charlotte-  it's a lovely place! )

I am in Raleigh so no help, that's about 2:30 away from Charlotte! It's a great city though. I started my IBM career there!

Good luck, Yellow! 

 Dear Yellow78

 In Charlotte, you might check out these guys associated with Carolinas Hospital

 www.carolinascancercare.com

I think they have univeristy ties, and at one point, they were talking about starting a med school in Charlotte.  Residents from UNC rotate through Carolinas hospitals, not sure about the other med schools in the state.

If your docs in MA refer you to someone, that's great. But if not... 

I used to work for UNC as an administrator, but I've been gone for 4 years now. I'm not going to tell you it's better than Duke though because people receive good care in either place. Very often it's a mix of your interaction with the docs, nurses and office staff.  The cancer centers at both Duke and UNC are quite good.  UNC has just opened a new cancer hospital. Either one would be a good choice -  try to be a "faculty practice" patient, which means you see the same oncologist.You may be seen by residents too, and that's part of the educational process.

Duke does end up in the top 10 ratings from US News. Having dealt with the mechanics of those ratings (and it's not sour grapes because UNC is lower in the rankings) there are some technical issues about how those ratings are done. If you're going to consider Duke, I'd also consider UNC. 

Some people do better in an academic setting, and the truth is that academics often have the most recent, up to date equipment and care. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of academic hospitals is tiring, too many people in one space.

However, there are good oncologists in the larger cities in NC - North Carolina, like many places in the US often has a deficit of specialties outside the cities.

My choice in Switzerland was to go to a designated "breast cancer center" in a community hospital (private hospital) rather than an academic hospital. I made that choice based on the recommendation of several doctors, and it's been a good choice. Systems are a little different here, but I really like going to a private oncologist and getting my chemo in the office.

I'm not sure what your treatment entails, but a 2 hour drive in good conditions is a big hassle.We made the drive from Chapel Hill to Charlotte a few times and I always found it to be a pain in the backside.

Good luck with your move though. And your choices.

e.