Question about local healthcare

[CozbyDog]

Hi All,
About 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, after a bunch of tests they found a large tumor in my colon and it was decided that because of the size and the fact that it was putting pressure on my appendix that surgery was needed ASAP.
I spent last week at Mass General, succesful surgery and I was released just in time for Thanksgiving at home. I will meet with an oncologist at Mass Gen. on Monday morning to see what specific lymphoma I have and narrow down the chemo treatment that I will need. He said that as long as I adhere to the specific treatment- I can be treated closer to home to avoid the 2 hour drive to Boston.
Has anyone had any experience with local oncologists? I know that LRGH is now affiliated with Dana Farber. How about Concord or Manchester?
On a side note, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my 8 and 2 year old and my great wife and I plan on many more...

[songkrai]

I don't have a specific relationship with any.
But here is some information.


Laconia Office
80 Highland Street
Laconia, NH 03246-3298
Tel. 603-527-2905
Fax 603-527-2985
www.lrgh.org

Concord Office
Payson Center for Cancer Care
250 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-7539
Tel. 603-224-2556
Fax 603-226-5821
www.concordhospital.org

"At New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology, PA, our mission is to provide expert and compassionate medical care for adults with cancer and blood-related diseases. We are committed to providing the highest quality health care, the most advanced and effective treatments, and to offer our knowledge and support throughout every patient’s treatment journey. We encourage you to read our complete "Mission and Values Statement.” We pledge to live by it every day."

NHOH

[upthesaukee]

My wife has been under their care for both Breast Cancer and for the past 4 years or so for Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Dr. Catcher is my wife's oncologist, but we know others who have been treated by Dr Friedlander. The staff at NH Hematology Oncology are fantastic. Their level of care is wonderful, professional, and compassionate.

These two doctors also have offices in Concord as well.

Cozbydog, sorry for your diagnosis, and I can tell you that since 2005 we have been fighting the dreaded C word. We live one day at a time, we live for tomorrow, and know that we not let it get us down. We have our plans for golfing and boating already in place for next year. Be strong, be positive, take it all a day at a time, and you will conquer. God bless you and be with you, your wife, and your wonderful children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Just Sold]

I have had 2 occasions delaing with Dana Farber in Boston when people very close to me had cancer. I found them to be very compassionate and they provided excellent care. So I would have to recommend using them. They have a facility at 40 Buttrick Road in Londonderry NH off of exit 4 on 93. Dana-Farber/New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology

[Merrymeeting]

CozbyDog,

I hope your treatments are successful and go as well as possible. Having just gone through a full breast cancer regime with my wife, and a long-standing, treatable but not curable cancer with my mother, I have some experience with what you are going through.

You might want to look into the cancer center at Wentworth-Douglas in Dover. My mother has been treated there for several years and we have been very happy with her care. Her oncologist is on staff at MGH and works there M-Thur. He spends Friday's at W-D. The cancer center is affiliated with MGH and may be an option for you.

Best of luck with all you are going through.

[EllyPoinster]

. . . for NH Oncology. Their website is here.

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by EllyPoinster

. . . for NH Oncology. Their website is here.

My hubby had chemo/radiation at Payson this summer, they are a great group and it's 45 minutes from Meredith! Best of luck!

[Belmont Resident]

Wish you all the best.
As for LRGH you will be hard pressed to find anyone in the Laconia area that has good things to say about them. Both my wife and I have had problems in the past and neither of us will take referrals to them, instead we ask for referrals to other hospitals and affiliates.

Good luck

[DRH]

I had two eye surgeries (cataract lens replacements) performed at LRGH several years ago and everything ... pre-op, anesthesia, surgery, and post-op ... was outstanding.

[winnipiseogee]

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

As for LRGH you will be hard pressed to find anyone in the Laconia area that has good things to say about them.

We just had our second child at LRGH at we have nothing but great things to say about them. We had our first child at Concord and thought they set the bar pretty high. We chose LRGH for #2 so we could be closer to home. We were pleasantly surprised when we had an even better experience at LRGH. We have also had 2 cardiac issues treated at lakes and everytime we have been incredibly pleased with LRGH.

[BroadHopper]

I wish I can say something good, but I experienced two deaths in the family because LRGH doctors midiagnose their illness. One doctor is 'semi-retired' and the other doctor moved to Franklin. The hospital never acknowledged resposibility nor did they apologize.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Hospitals can sometimes be like a school. You could have a sub-par school that employes a fantastic teacher. Same goes with hospitals. You can have a great hospital and get a doctor that disappoints. Boston is home to the best hospitals in the entire world. Mass General, Joslin Diabetes Ctr. and Dana Farber are a few of the world's elite. I would take any hospital associated with Dana Farber or MGH if I were being treated for any cancer or heart disease. After specific diagnosis don't avoid a second or third opinion...the hub of medicine is at your disposal.
It's great that you will be able to avoid long drives during the snowy months. There are amazing advancements every day and many clinical studies that may also be an option. Stay positive, sometimes optimism is better than any drug.
I wish you all the luck in your treatment. Once you get the specifics on your type of lymphoma, research research research. Ask your doctor about holistic remedies (teas) that you can take in conjunction with conventional treatment.
godspeed

[evergreenenvious]

I would skip LRGH if and when ever possible.
Concord is good
Manchester- Elliot is okay but Catholic medical center is great, one of the best around here.
and if you can do it Dartmouth. is amazing, they also have some offices in machester, bedford and concord as well

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

We just had our second child at LRGH at we have nothing but great things to say about them. We had our first child at Concord and thought they set the bar pretty high. We chose LRGH for #2 so we could be closer to home. We were pleasantly surprised when we had an even better experience at LRGH. We have also had 2 cardiac issues treated at lakes and everytime we have been incredibly pleased with LRGH.

Congratulations, but for every one person who has a positive experience with LRGH there are 100's who did not.
Don't believe me though just ask around the Laconia area.

[Lakepilot]

My mother in law, who is 90 years old, fell and broke her hip. That's usually the end for senors. She was brought to LRGH and had excellent treatment. She was then brought to a rehab facility in town and has since been moved back to MBCC. You would never know she broke her hip. Results may vary, but for her, the results were fantastic.

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

Hospitals can sometimes be like a school. You could have a sub-par school that employes a fantastic teacher. Same goes with hospitals. You can have a great hospital and get a doctor that disappoints. Boston is home to the best hospitals in the entire world. Mass General, Joslin Diabetes Ctr. and Dana Farber are a few of the world's elite. I used to have the privilege of picking up patients at Logan Airport from all over the world and transporting them directly from their plane to Boston hospitals. I'm talking royal family members from places like Saudi Arabia. They get sick, they come to Boston.
Sounds like you started your treatment at the right place. I would take any hospital associated with Dana Farber or MGH if I were being treated for any cancer or heart disease. After specific diagnosis don't avoid a second or third opinion...the hub of medicine is at your disposal.
It's great that you will be able to avoid long drives during the snowy months. There are amazing advancements every day and many clinical studies that may also be an option. Stay positive, sometimes optimism is better than any drug.
I wish you all the luck in your treatment. Once you get the specifics on your type of lymphoma, research research research. Ask your doctor about holistic remedies (teas) that you can take in conjunction with conventional treatment.
godspeed

Thank you, Paugus Bay Firefighter. I agree with everything you say. I worked for more than 30 years at MGH. We got the patients who had run into problems at other hospitals in New England. We rarely got transfers from Concord, Dartmouth, or Maine Med. We frequently got transfers from Eliot. People need to know they will get better care at the facility with the most experience.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Chaselady

Thank you, Paugus Bay Firefighter. I agree with everything you say. I worked for more than 30 years at MGH. We got the patients who had run into problems at other hospitals in New England. We rarely got transfers from Concord, Dartmouth, or Maine Med. We frequently got transfers from Eliot. People need to know they will get better care at the facility with the most experience.

Not to mention, the trauma center at MGH was great too. When it comes to doctors, I'll never forget what George Carlin said...

"Somewhere in the world is the world's worst doctor. And what's truly terrifying is that someone has an appointment with him tomorrow morning."

[CozbyDog]

Thank you for the replies, it looks like I will be be doing a day of chemo up here at LRGH, followed by 3 weeks of rest, followed by an overnight of chemo at MGH for about 15 weeks. They are going at it aggressively as the recent tests showed a more rare form of lymphoma and my oncologist thinks that age is on my side and I will handle it well. Not to bore you with medical stuff- just wanted to say I appreciate your input on this subject.

[radioman]

Several weeks ago i had emergency surgery at plymouth gen. Hosp.
Having been in the med. Field for 50 yrs let me just tell you that thoes people are just simply the very best!!

[fatnoah]

Best of luck beating this!

The only thing I want to add is that the only way to ensure you receive the best care is to get educated and be the one in control of your treatment. Be prepared to question your doctors and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

[codeman671]

My wife is an Oncology RN at Seacoast Cancer Center at Wentworth Douglas in Dover. I am a patient there as well, non-cancer related. Great place, great people.

[Oletimer]

Originally Posted by fatnoah

Best of luck beating this!

The only thing I want to add is that the only way to ensure you receive the best care is to get educated and be the one in control of your treatment. Be prepared to question your doctors and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

How do you get a second opinion in this day and age? It's hard enough finding a Dr.for primary care!

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by Oletimer

How do you get a second opinion in this day and age? It's hard enough finding a Dr.for primary care!

Your primary care doctor gives you a referral to a special care doctor. You can request another referral from your primary and it doesn't cost any more, just call him and ask.
My primary is associated with LRGH but all my referrals are to doctors outside of LRGH. I simply told my primary that I would not do business at LRGH. The best thing is there are plenty of specialists in the lakes region that are not affiliated with LRGH so finding someone to refer me to is not a problem for my primary doctor. I have no problem driving to Concord or and Lebanon if the need arises.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by CozbyDog

Thank you for the replies, it looks like I will be be doing a day of chemo up here at LRGH, followed by 3 weeks of rest, followed by an overnight of chemo at MGH for about 15 weeks. They are going at it aggressively as the recent tests showed a more rare form of lymphoma and my oncologist thinks that age is on my side and I will handle it well. Not to bore you with medical stuff- just wanted to say I appreciate your input on this subject.

Best of luck with your chemo program, CozbyDog. Hope it is 100% successful.

[HomeWood]

I can't make any Dr suggestions, but I want to wish you the best!