M D Anderson @ TMC (Houston, Sugar Land: insurance, credit, loan) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Sampaguita · 03-05-2010, 10:46 PM

I just found out that my mother will be going to Sloan-Kettering in NYC next week for a consultation about a lump found in her left breast a couple of weeks ago. While we're hoping that it's not malignant, I am trying to be proactive to give my parents a couple of options. As they are both elderly & both of their children (me & my brother) are in Houston, I think that seeking a 2nd opinion at M D Anderson would be a good step. And should my mother need treatment, I would hope that she could receive it here where she has family who can take care of her while at an excellent facility.

Some googling shows that it's been ranked #1 by US News & World Report for 6 of the last 8 yrs and it's an original NCI-hospital.

I know that I can google ad naseum for "MD Anderson ranking" or "#1 cancer center", etc...and come up with MD Anderson being the best in the country (and according to some articles, in the world - is that true?). I have no experience being directly affected by cancer so I have no practical knowledge of what center might afford my mother the best treatment.

Anyone care to chime in? Would MD Anderson be a good choice (and not just because it's in Houston)?

mahee1 · 03-06-2010, 12:07 AM

It is true that MD Anderson is one among of the best...for different type of cancers. We did go there for 2nd opinion for my wife's Leukemia treatment. I think based on survival rates or latest technologies...the following 3 comes up on the top. I might be wrong....but generally all of these three hospitals will be in the top 10 list all the time.

1. Memorial Sloan-Kettering
2. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
3. MD Anderson

Hope everything goes well and you don't have to shop around. Best of Luck.

Regards,
Mahee

AK123 · 03-06-2010, 08:43 AM

Definitely look into M. D. Anderson. It has ranked #1 in the country for several years. And being close to home is even better. When I was working there a few years ago, I was actually working with a research dept and in the Breast Center there and can attest it's wonderful. At least at the time, we had the leading (and may have been the only) program for a very specific type of breast cancer (inflammatory.)

Call them.

maggie2101 · 03-06-2010, 09:33 AM

My husband has been a patient at MD Anderson on and off since 2005. I go with him to all his appointments for treatment or check ups. It is a great place and we have the utmost respect for the staff and they way they treat the patients. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Good luck to you and I hope your mother is okay!

foma · 03-06-2010, 09:48 AM

My father was treated @ MDA from 2002-2005 for prostate cancer. Looking back at our experience there, I didn't feel like our doctor did his best to help my father's condition. It felt like he did the standard protocol and as Dad's condition worsened, the less he saw us. I don't feel like we got a "better" experience going there versus had we gone somewhere closer (at that time, we lived in Sugar Land and they were doing construction on 59 so it took a good hour just to get there and another 15 minutes to find parking at times!). With that said, everyone's experience is different and every cancer is different. I realize that the doctor may have seen his prognosis and knew there wasn't much he could do except for the standard protocol.

What it feels like to go there: Well, the place is HUGE and they've added a new wing since we've been there (maybe even 2 or 3 at the expansion rate they were going!). The pro AND con about the place is EVERYTHING is there. The doctors, pharmacy, chemo treatments, radiation, imaging, lab, what have you. There were times we had to wait over 3 hours just to see our MD. Nothing was ever on time but it was convenient. We'd spend the whole day there and when Dad's condition was worsening, I'd just wheelchair him around the building all day.

There's also a convenient bus system that goes around the entire medical center and even gratuity-free valet parking. Dad had a pretty bad experience during one of his hospital stays but after talking to the head nurse, he said things were a lot better so I have to give them credit for "fixing the problem".

They have volunteers that sometimes roll a cart around to bring beverages for people waiting. There are also complementary treatments available at the hospital like massage therapy. And just about every waiting room there's a fish tank with all these tropical fish. I meantion this b'c there were times I was so bored, I would just stare at them to pass the time.

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Hope for the best and good luck.

hsw · 03-06-2010, 01:05 PM

These are all big complex subspecialized med centers
Quality of care really varies by specific disease and specific physician
Just like colleges' depts and professors, many legendary academic med ctrs have weak depts and weak physicians...none are monolithically outstanding

If have a well-regarded internist in Houston, ask them to whom they would choose to refer a loved one or VIP patient for a similar condition and second opinion

As one can imagine, it is often difficult to obtain an appt w/many of the most highly regarded subspecialists unless they receive a referral request from a respected internist or oncologist in community; insurance is acceptable and/or case is academically interesting

Good luck

ShelbyGirl1 · 03-06-2010, 01:30 PM

My husband has also been a patient at MD Anderson for over 10 years. It is an excellent facility and the staff can't be beat. It can be a bit over whelming, as the facility is huge, but there are maps at every turn to help guide you.
Be prepared...cancer knows no sex, age, ethnic or financial background. You will see all ages and types of people...and it can get you down very quickly.

maggie2101 · 03-06-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

Be prepared...cancer knows no sex, age, ethnic or financial background. You will see all ages and types of people...and it can get you down very quickly.

I have to agree with this. It can be very hard spending day after day there. You see things you never imagined. I remember once going in to a lounge area while my husband was in getting an MRI or something and sitting there for a while. I was watching the other families waiting and suddenly I just started sobbing and couldn't stop. A total stranger brought me some water and tissues and sat next to me patting my hand until I got myself under control. Chokes me up just thinking about it.

Premont · 03-06-2010, 04:03 PM

In addition to the great doctors, I was always impressed with how friendly everyone that works there is. Sometimes the wait for an appointment can be very long, even up to an hour and a half. It helps to have good reading material.

Sampaguita · 03-06-2010, 04:22 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions, feedback & good thoughts. I'm hoping we won't need this but it is good to get feedback from people who know more about MD Anderson than I do.

Will definitely follow through on some your suggestions including talking to our local PCP. DH's neurologist is pretty high up on the food chain at TMC so he might have some suggestions, too. Plus, closer to home, my cousin-in-law's mother recently started treatments at MDA for breast cancer, too.

I do realize that if we have to go down this path, it will not be an easy one. I don't pretend to know what a person goes through with a loved one fighting cancer (or any terminal illness) but I know that following a little girl in Cypress who is battling neuroblastoma has wrenched my heart & kept me up some nights just crying for the suffering she is going through.

For those of you going through this personally - I hope you are getting the best possible care & support for yourself & your loved ones. Thanks again for weighing in about MDA at TMC.