MOFITT in Tampa Anyone???

jramick
jramick Member Posts: 88
edited April 2015 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hello BC and TN Sisters!

My husband travels for work and I tag along. I am a 5 yr Triple Negative survivor so far! It's that time for my mammo and bloodwork for tumor markers. Even after 5 years and good luck, I'm still anxious and have weird symptoms that go on. Im a St Louis native that has wonderful doctor's from Midwest Breast on Clayton/Clarkson. I DO miss my favorite oncologist Dr Rachel Borson who now practices in MA if any of you are from that state. I need back up care maybe here in Tampa and was wondering if any of you go to MOFITT? What their reputation is? Thanks everyone and hugs!

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  • linda714
    linda714 Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2015

    ello

    I know the are the only accredited center in Florida. I was going to go their , good reputation...but i ended up at university of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center in Deerfield Beach, Fl. They are great especially Dr. Reshma Mathani!

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited April 2015

    If I ever needed a second opinion, that's where I'd go. Not just because it's close. They are excellent. I know personally at least 2 posters here that use Moffitt for treatment. Special K will be along soon I'm sure, and can fill you in more.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited April 2015

    Hi, Linda , I went to Moffitt for craniotomy for brain tumor in 2012. Went without a hitch and tumor was benign. We had watched tumor from Jan 2009 till it started growing in 2011. Lot's of in between evaluation. Because of tumors location in the base of the brain right above the right orbit, the original craniotomy 'offered' at my local area was a standard crani, not acceptable risk.  I 'm an old and old surgical nurse. I knew the dangers of a standard crani.

    I went to Google---found base of the brain surgery. Searched available hospitals  and found Moffitt. My Local Mo affiliated with Moffitt had never heard of the sx. Dr Vironis and his team were great. Sx on wed, home Friday night at local restaurant having Filet mignon. No kidding.

    SpecialK came twice over the time I was there. SHE BROUGHT CHOCOLATE to me in the ICU. We had a great time yakking.

    Then I went to dr McIver in  the Endocrine Clinic for a second opinion when I got conflicting info from local docs on treatment post thyroidectomy and thyroid cancer. Wish I'd seen him before thyroid treatment and.radioactive iodine.. OH well, I have switched to him for all future follow-ups.

    Overall love Moffitt-----everything. Minor glitches. I think all the glitches had to do with authorizations. So, stay on top of those.

    Good Luck

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited April 2015


    Oh yeah, they have a Survivor section that looks at the overall picture to evaluate total care. I haven't been to them, Considering it.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited April 2015

    Forgot to say, my BS is an adjunct prof there

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    linda714 - just wanted to clarify - Moffitt is the only NCI center in FL, which is different from being accredited.

    Moffitt does have a TN specialist on staff Dr Ismail-Khan. I have a young BRCA1+ TN friend who had a consult with her but ultimately chose a smaller, more personal, facility for treatment. All of my docs were at Moffitt at one point or another (BS, PS & MO) but now practice either privately or in smaller organizations. I feel fortunate that they have Moffitt backgrounds.

    I was treated at Moffitt in the Sarcoma Dept for a tumor in my calf (a rare, but benign, mass) in 2008 - a good experience.  I have also received all of my lymphedema treatment at Moffitt - the PT department is universally excellent.  It is important to note that this is a large cancer hospital - it can be intimidating or overwhelming to some, but they have lots of specialty subgroups and certainly the latest technology


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  • jramick
    jramick Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2015

    Great info everyone!!!! Thank you so much!

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  • StefLove
    StefLove Member Posts: 322
    edited April 2015

    Hey ladies, I'll be heading to moffit for a 2nd opinion on Wednesday. And just found out I'm triple neg. My original onc is at UF Heatlh in Orlando (formerly MD Anderson). Any opnions of one over the other? I live in Orlando so treatment would be easier if I were to do it here but if Moffit felt like a better fit and had a better reputation for TNBC, I'm willing to make the drive each time. Thoughts?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    stef - who is your consult with? What was the treatment that was recommended by UF Health

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  • StefLove
    StefLove Member Posts: 322
    edited April 2015

    specialK, I believe it's with dr. Han, not Khan. When I made the appt we didn't know I was triple neg yet. I haven't even talked treatment specifics yet with my current onc in Orlando. I had the appt with her for next Wed but that's now the Moffit appt and the Orlando one is pushed to Thursday morning. So I'll both opinions and go from there.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2015

    stef - I met Dr Han as well, I went with a friend after she was diagnosed for a consult, but before she had surgery. My friend did not require chemo so she did not continue seeing Dr Han, so I did not have the opportunity to get to know her better

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  • StefLove
    StefLove Member Posts: 322
    edited April 2015

    thank you, SpecialK! I'll let you guys know how it goes on Wednesday!

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited April 2015

    Hellloo  SpeialK happy to see you. What do you think of getting the two opinions?

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  • chocomousse
    chocomousse Member Posts: 157
    edited April 2015

    I'm in central FL but none of my docs have recommended Moffitt so far. My potential breast surgeons are both affiliated with the Florida Hospital chain and St. Joseph's Women's Hospital - Cancer Institute.

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  • StefLove
    StefLove Member Posts: 322
    edited April 2015

    chocomousse, I brought up Moffitt to my MO myself and she knew another MO there that she contacted for me. All of the other MO's that were referred to me were all in the Orlando Health chain (is that the same as FL hospital chain? I just moved here...still learning!)

    So a small update, went to a second opinion this morning at Moffitt in Tampa and I really liked the oncologist. I'm pretty sure I'm going to still stick to Orlando for treatment (it was actually her recommendation) bc the treatment is fairly standard and it's not worth the extra hour drive. They also both work fairly closely together so she said that if she hears of any studies/findings/etc that they usually share the information.

    Unless something crazy happens at the Orlando MO tomorrow, I'll be staying in Orlando but with the blessing of Moffitt, which makes me feel better.

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