Recommendations for MO/b.c. care centers in Phoenix area

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited March 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi all, I was DX ILC but am posting this here since more of you are dx with IDC than ILC... Any recommendations for MOs in the Phoenix area? I am particularly interested in Mayo or MD Anderson or breast cancer centers. My MO is retiring in Sedona, where I've been getting care, and I do not trust the local cancer care center and the docs in my Northern Arizona location.

Claire in AZ


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • PatsyKB
    PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
    edited March 2019

    I am also IDC, single receptor (see my info below). I live in Sedona but there was no way I was going to have my biopsy, much less treatment, up here.
    My team, all of whom specialize in breast cancer (let me know if you need links or contact info):
    Screening and biopsy - HonorHealth Breast Health & Resarch Center Deer Valley (it’s in Phoenix on 27th near the Yorkshire exit from I-17).
    My biopsy surgeon at Honor - Dr. Lisa Greer
    Breast Surgeon - Dr. Lise Walker
    Radiation Oncologist - Dr. Coral Quiet
    Medical Oncologist - Dr. Mazen Khattab
    I was given a nurse-navigator at THREE of the medical offices and have used the first - and earliest chronologically - at Honor - a lot. Once she helped me assemble my team and answered all my “Oh my god what do I do first” questions I was good to go. But it is wonderful to have a designated person as my go-to answer source at these offices. Priceless.




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PatsyKB
    PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
    edited March 2019

    ps. Although it's a pain in the ass to haul to Phoenix, I have found it very easy to schedule “marathon" days. For instance I had my initial sit downs with Dr Quiet, Dr Khattab and Dr Walker on the same day.

    It helps that Q and K are in the same building as Honor and W is just 10 minutes away from Honor and performs surgeries in the same building as Honor

    When we wanted to be cautious or when necessary we stayed over - after my biopsy and after my lumpectomy for instance. And when I had my radiation (I qualified for SAVI brachytherapy - 5 treatment days, twice a day, with a weekend in the middle) we stayed at a favorite hotel and called it the “radiation vacation."

    When you make a hotel reservation on the phone and tell them you're there for cancer treatment, they bend over backwards to help and pamper.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • April0315
    April0315 Member Posts: 223
    edited March 2019

    just want to chime in and say hello. I live in N Phoenix and was diagnosed first with ADH in L breast, after an MRI I now have a diagnosis of IDC in R breast. It looks like I’m going to have a similar path as Patsy as I also used HH Deev Valley and also have Dr Walker as my surgeon. She has also said she spoke to radiologist and willl do the catheter radiation as well.

    Patsy, did you use a plastic surgeon? I have pre-existing implants and since she’s basically doing 3 lumpectomies I’ll be pretty lopsided. I’m interviewing them now and didn’t like the first one. Hoping tomorrow’s appointment goes better bc is really like to get moving on this!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnnaMO
    AnnaMO Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2019

    Hi Claire. My recommendation is Dr. Donald Northfelt (medical oncologist) and Dr. Barbara Pockaj (surgical oncologist) at Mayo Phoenix. They were part of my team. Dr. Northfelt and Dr. Pockaj (sounds like Podge-kai) were professional, thorough and compassionate. It's been about 2 1/2 years since I completed my cancer treatment for TNBC. (There was another few months of Xeloda for risk-reducing measures.) All is clear!

    I live in the West Valley outside Phoenix area and had switched from a local cancer treatment center because of poor communication and other issues. Going to Mayo was the best decision. You need to have confidence in the people caring for you. Unfortunately, not all cancer facilities are current with new treatments. Please look up Dr. Pockaj; she's actively researching breast cancer.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PatsyKB
    PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
    edited March 2019

    April0315 - No, I didn’t use a plastic surgeon because I didn’t need one; my lumpectomy was just a single lumpectomy and straightforward. Although I have a number of “divots” in my right breast in particular, due to a number of exicisional biopsies over the years since 1975, at this time there’s no need for any plastic surgery. In lieu of bras that really fit well, I buy bras that mostly fit and which are the kind that my husband calls “muppet bras” - they’re kind of a foam that will hold their shape for the most part. There’s always extra room in one.

    Dr. Walker no doubt can refer you to someone excellent for plastic surgery if needed.

    I am sure you’ll be pleased with Dr. Walker; she’s so well-respected by everyone in my breast cancer network in Phoenix with whom I spoke. I don’t know which radiation oncologist Dr. W will refer you to, but I know that she knows and works with (as in inserts the brachytherapy device for) my RO, Dr. Coral Quiet. I unequivocally recommend Dr. Quiet (who pioneered the use of the SAVI Brachytherapy device in the Phoenix area) as well as Dr. Mazen Khattab, my MO mentioned above.

    I’m so sorry you have to go through all this - you are definitely in good hands, however. Keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2019

    Thank you AnnaMo, for your recommendations. I agree, Patsy, marathon days are doable, and I have family in the Phoenix area, and could stay with them or get an AirB&B, which are often inexpensive. Has anyone heard anything about Karen Anderson? She's also an MD/oncologist at Mayo, and specializes in immunotherapy as well as b.c.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • April0315
    April0315 Member Posts: 223
    edited March 2019

    Thanks Patsy for the confidence in my team boost :)

    I am a labor and delivery nurse and work with a lot of Ob/Gyn's (obviously), they all say Dr Walker is one of the best in the valley. My second plastic surgery consult went wonderfully (thank goodness) and I have decided for sure to do lumpectomies with some onco-plastic repairs then radiation. Walkers scheduler is out of town and apparently no-one else can schedule anything so I won't have a surgery date scheduled till later next week. I feel very comfortable with my decisions (although I admit I have an occasional doubt if I should just do the double mastectomy). I am really ready to just get this ball rolling so I can focus on recovery and moving on to the next adventure.

    Best of luck Claire in finding some Drs you are comfortable with to continue your care with.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PatsyKB
    PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
    edited March 2019

    I received a reply from Arizona Oncology (Flagstaff office), the practice from which Dr. Lindquist has retired, leaving Sedona without a medical oncologist. I'll just copy here what I received - it sounds like folks in Sedona shouldn't hold our breaths waiting for Northern Arizona Healthcare. I am fortunate in that I can - and do - go to Phoenix (and I have not had to undergo intensive treatment). I feel for everyone who can't run back and forth to Prescott, Phoenix, Flagstaff while waiting for NAH to get it together.

    Anyway, here's the message from Arizona Oncology:

    Patricia,

    Yes, Arizona Oncology in Sedona is closing. Dr. Lindquist is retiring and moving on to great adventures and collecting wonderful memories. The plan has always been for Northern Arizona Healthcare to continue medical oncology services in the area and they are working towards that. I do not have specifics of the when/where but I am sure they will be sending that information out soon. Until they are ready, Arizona Oncology has services in Flagstaff and our Phoenix market including Prescott Valley.

    Please let me know if there is anything we can do to assist in this time of transition and know we are committed to serving our community.

    Jodie Stark, RN

    Arizona Oncology

    Flagstaff Practice Administrator

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2019

    Hi Patsy,

    Oh brother. That's a non-answer about any future care in the area! I did call Mayo in Phx to see if I could establish follow up care with a breast cancer oncologist there--Karen Anderson--but Mayo is so busy they aren't taking anyone who didn't begin treatment with them initially, even if you were a former patient there for anything else (I was).

    They recommended either Virginia Piper Center or Ironwood in the greater Phoenix area, and I've got a recommendation for Dr. Kalmaldi at Ironwood from a doctor and her surgeon husband. I've requested appt at Piper and will call Ironwood today or tomorrow to see if I can get an appt.

    The search continues.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories