Michael & Sung Yun Weigh In
Cousin Michael and Sung Yun are a pretty busy couple with an awfully cute boy, Samkyu who had a great time playing with Nina and Noah, if not Jonah and Daniel on Sunday. Michael is a surgeon and a biochemist doing some serious research at MIT and in his spare time he travels the world talking about his cancer research, not to mention a few days each month running the ICU at Beth israel Deaconess Hospital. Sung Yun specializes in pediatric bone marrow transplants at Brigham and women's Hospital.
Michael and Sung Yun looked at mom's x-rays and scans. If Dr. Girardi had painted a worst case scenario, Michael and Sun Yin were bringing back some hope. Of course the pictures are only part of the story, and today I called Dr. Girardi to have him fax a copy of the pathology report to Michael. Michael wanted to look at the pathology report to see if there was any sign of infection, something he may have noticed while looking at the scans.
He suggested that it might be a bronchial alveolar instead of adino carcinoma. As of yet, I haven't a clue what the difference is, but we will find out. He suggested that in addition to the MRI and PET scans, tha before treeatment is determined, Mom may need another biopsy.
The key to finding the right doctors will be to find the best medical oncologist. Since the Brigham is the inpatient arm of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, most doctors at the Farber have appointments at the Brigham as well. He and Sun Yin will find out who the best doctor is.
After a bit, while Michael was still busy looking at the films and talking to Mom, Sung Yun talked to Phil and me about possible treatments and second opinions.
The two factors that can be controlled by the oncologist are:
Michael and Sung Yun looked at mom's x-rays and scans. If Dr. Girardi had painted a worst case scenario, Michael and Sun Yin were bringing back some hope. Of course the pictures are only part of the story, and today I called Dr. Girardi to have him fax a copy of the pathology report to Michael. Michael wanted to look at the pathology report to see if there was any sign of infection, something he may have noticed while looking at the scans.
He suggested that it might be a bronchial alveolar instead of adino carcinoma. As of yet, I haven't a clue what the difference is, but we will find out. He suggested that in addition to the MRI and PET scans, tha before treeatment is determined, Mom may need another biopsy.
The key to finding the right doctors will be to find the best medical oncologist. Since the Brigham is the inpatient arm of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, most doctors at the Farber have appointments at the Brigham as well. He and Sun Yin will find out who the best doctor is.
After a bit, while Michael was still busy looking at the films and talking to Mom, Sung Yun talked to Phil and me about possible treatments and second opinions.
The two factors that can be controlled by the oncologist are:
- The Drug regimen
- Access to clinical trials
She noted the importance of getting a second opinion, particulalry since we are dealing with adult oncology. There are jsut so many oncologists out there, it is important to make sure we end up with the right doctor.
Finally we talked about possible treatment centers in Florida. Since Mom will still winter in Del Ray, we are looking into the Cleveland Clinic in Fort Lauderdale and whatever the medical center is in Boca Raton.
And after finally, I just got off the phone with mom. Her PET Scan is scheduled for next Monday, Dec 5 and her MRI the Wednesday after that. She is now going to call Open MRI of Glastonbury and Jefferson XRay in Glastonbury to see if either can do it before then.
Joshua
posted by Joshua @ 2:40 PM
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