Do you know any good doctors?

Hi- certain hospitals specialize in pancreatic treatments, they do a higher number of surgeries per year.  You can find a list through Google.  Try pancreatic cancer or whipple surgery.  I know John Hopkins in New York was one, OHSU in Portland, Oregon, is another.  My dad went to OHSU, but opted not to have the surgery or chemo.  He'd rather deal with the symptoms than have possible (50% or higher) complications or side affects of treatment.  Personally, my experience with/research of chemo may extend a person's life, but seems to make their end of life more painful and prolonged.  We supported Dad's decision in this. 

Hope you find what you're looking for.  Please know that your situation may be a lot more hopeful if the tumor is not large or spread to other areas.  Keep hoping- without hope, life gets gray fast.  And pray.  Who knows when God might heal?  Praying for you, rt

Hello

We have research far and wide for pancreatic cancer specialists after my diagnosis this November. A good friend who is a surgeon and researcher has found and consulted with these doctors and we have been meeting them ourselves. They seem to be the top in this field and do much research and publish many papers. They are:

Dr. Charles Yeo at Jefferson Hospital in Phili (was at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore) (Chief of Surgery)

Dr. Daniel Laheru at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore (Oncologist)

Dr. Robert Fine at Columbia Presbytarian Medical Center in NYC (Oncologist).

As far as I can tell Johns Hopkins is an epicenter of pancreatic cancer research and treatment. They have a Pancreatic Cancer Multidiciplinary Clinic every Tuesday where, in one day, you can be seen by all specialists and other support people and come away with recommendations. The coordinator's name is Joanne Coleman, and she is very helpful. Look at their web page to find details. Please let me know if you need phone numbers.

Good luck. It pays to find the very best in dealing with this very difficult. cancer.

-Metta

On 2/20/2007 Rt4jc wrote:

Hi- certain hospitals specialize in pancreatic treatments, they do a higher number of surgeries per year.  You can find a list through Google.  Try pancreatic cancer or whipple surgery.  I know John Hopkins in New York was one, OHSU in Portland, Oregon, is another.  My dad went to OHSU, but opted not to have the surgery or chemo.  He'd rather deal with the symptoms than have possible (50% or higher) complications or side affects of treatment.  Personally, my experience with/research of chemo may extend a person's life, but seems to make their end of life more painful and prolonged.  We supported Dad's decision in this. 

Hope you find what you're looking for.  Please know that your situation may be a lot more hopeful if the tumor is not large or spread to other areas.  Keep hoping- without hope, life gets gray fast.  And pray.  Who knows when God might heal?  Praying for you, rt

Most of the messages give you references for the east coast.  west coast best doctor for Whipple procedure is Dr. Howard reber from UCLA.  You can find more information about him on the internet.  He and his staff are caring and very skilled.

Nikki