Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Pennsylvania > Pittsburgh
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
 
Old 07-12-2011, 09:51 PM
 
108 posts, read 377,196 times
Reputation: 25

Advertisements

We have a big decision to make in a short amount of time... my mother, a breast cancer and stroke survivor, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. She has had multiple health problems in the past 5 years, including a very rare and deadly bacterial infection. She currently also has MRSA. What I am getting at is, as horrible as a cancer diagnosis is, it is compounded in this case by my moms not so common health complications and she of course needs excellent care.

She was sent to Heritage Valley hospital in Sewickley because her doctor deals out of there. But she was in upmc before and they are nationally recognized and also I feel they have the latest technology and possibly more experience in these areas. Am I off base there or is UPMC really better?

Also I know absolutely nothing about HV Sewickley's reputation.... can anyone comment on that?

Please help. We should be hearing something tomorrow or the next day about when they want to do the nephrectomy so I want to make the decision before her treatment goes much farther.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 07-12-2011, 11:04 PM
 
1,228 posts, read 1,927,603 times
Reputation: 589
my Bf's father died recently from cancer an was treated and his entire time and very happy with UPMC. What an amazing group of professionals from administrative staff to the doctors, everyone provided him the best of care.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 07-13-2011, 04:26 AM
 
Location: Pittsburgh area
9,912 posts, read 24,645,588 times
Reputation: 5163
Nothing wrong with Sewickley Valley as a facility that I know of. The key with these things though is typically the doctors themselves and their knowledge of both conditions and the latest procedures.

IMO the key to making the most of it would be to get a recommendation for a top doctor who, yes, is more likely to work mainly or solely out of Allegheny General or UPMC. Switching facilities alone for just any old doctor might not result in anything different.

Especially with unusual circumstances it's never wrong to get a second opinion. I'm not exactly sure where to direct you to help find that doc recommendation though. Maybe others have an idea there.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 07-13-2011, 09:29 AM
 
108 posts, read 377,196 times
Reputation: 25
I appreciate the responses.
Not much news yet except that the tumor is 6cm and she also has significant narrowing in her pelvic artery. They seem to be treating her well at sewickley but I dont want to risk her life on "niceness".

If top doctors work with upmc then maybe it would be better there but I understand what you mean that 'just any old doc' may not be a better chance.

Dumb question but how do you ask for a second opinion without sounding rude? Shes already an inpatient.

Any other opinions on moving her?
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 07-13-2011, 12:58 PM
 
Location: Squirrel Hill
1,349 posts, read 3,572,287 times
Reputation: 406
Just ask for the second opinion if you want one. People do it all the time, if you are nice no one should be offended. A frail person needing major surgery is probably best off at a university type hospital.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 07-13-2011, 01:16 PM
 
19 posts, read 36,359 times
Reputation: 20
I just wanted to give you some recommendations at the larger hospitals if you decide to get another opinion. As someone else mentioned, no one should be offended if you want another opinion.

Dr. Rita McGill at AGH Nephrology Associates is my kidney specialist and I think she's great. Dr. Rozlyn Berty who is also in the same group is also supposed to be very good.

If surgery is needed they work hand in hand with Triangle Urological Associates. Dr. Ralph Miller from Triangle also operated on a family member for prostate cancer three years ago and they were pleased with him and the resulting treatment. I also know someone with bladder cancer that used him.

I have a friend that is a nurse and she got a name from her colleagues for a UPMC doctor, Ronald Hrebinko, 412-605-3022.
My FIL was treated for many years at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside and was always satisfied with them.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 04-06-2018, 02:36 PM
 
Location: Too personal of a question
133 posts, read 98,228 times
Reputation: 164
I had stage 4a cancer 4 years ago, after treatment it was gone. If I ever get cancer again and I have a sixth sense I never will, but if so, you bet I go to UPMC. They have incredible drs despite how they treat the little employees.

I’m sorry, this is an old thread. Sadly one of my cancer treatment effects is a very bad memory! Lol! I hope this person is better today and had good care.

Last edited by Yac; 04-09-2018 at 06:39 AM..
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2020 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > Pennsylvania > Pittsburgh
Similar Threads
View detailed profiles of:

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:05 PM.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top