Excited about seeing a new doctor

On Monday I am consulting with an integrative medicine doctor. He will add to my team, not replace anyone. He is the only integrative medicine doctor in GA who trained for two years under Dr. Andrew Weil in person. He is an M.D., but also trained in complementary medicine. M.D. Anderson wanted to recruit him, but he was interested in doing more than just palliative care, which is what they wanted him for.

I am most impressed so far. When I called for info, the woman I spoke with was very accommodating. They require a 30 minute consult, usually in person, to make sure you and the doc are a good fit. $30 charge. She said since we are about 1 1/2 hour drive away, she would see if it could be done over the phone. So the doctor himself called me and we spoke.

His goals will be to strengthen my own immune system, lessen the damage of chemo and improve my spirits. He will probably use some traditional Chinese medicine. His practice has a very holistic approach.

Now I like and trust my gyn/onc very much. He has no problem with my seeing an additional doctor. I just know I need to be doing more. And I am so overwhelmed with all the info I have. What supplements, what herbs, how do they interact? Should I take antoxidants or not? My gyn/onc says no. I really need some expert guidance.

I will report more after I see him.

By lifeisgrand
Posted November 5, 2009 at 10:01 pm
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That's exciting! I think this should be the standard of care in oncology. They pump us full of crap and then leave us on our own to pick up the pieces. Make sure you report back and let us know the direction he takes you.

By jeaniet
Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:35 pm
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Jennali........so exciting! I hope you will share some of your newfound info with us. I agree with lifeisgrand......we should not have to figure all this out on our own, NOR have to pay out of pocket to get it!

I looked at Weil's website and found UCSanFran has a complementary/integrative medicine center with an Oncologist who trained with Weil, but it is $450 for an initial consult, and that just isn't gonna be realistic for us, but maybe someday.....

good for you!
Jeanie

By Jennali
Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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This doctor normally charges $400, but he told me he would work with us. (They do not accept insurance, even if we had any, which we don't) They are "only" charging us $250. At this point, I would hock all I own to get the best care.

Perhaps the CA folks would work with you if you asked.

By verlinda
Posted November 6, 2009 at 7:11 am
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Actually, ladies, I don't think the problem is the doctors as much as the insurance companies. Since the products aren't FDA approved (anyone but me had 3 FDA approved meds recalled?), insurance refuses to cover them.

By Jennali
Posted November 8, 2009 at 6:13 pm
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He is south of Atlanta and has a couple of satellite offices closer in.

If I were you, I would be looking into the Block Center (since you are in state).

By Wave
Posted November 8, 2009 at 6:31 pm
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Jennali,

What do you know about the Block Center? Do you know anybody who has gone there. I would be very interested to get a first hand account. Thanks,

By Milashka
Posted November 8, 2009 at 6:38 pm
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I live near Atlanta and would like to know his name and where he is.

I always lament the fact that alternative/supportive and traditional medicine is still so separated. I wish it was integrated.

By Jennali
Posted November 10, 2009 at 5:25 pm
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So DH and I saw the new doc on Monday, and we both liked him a lot. He is very straightforward, but has a very gentle way about him. He asked me how aggressive did I want to be, and said he would follow my lead. I told him I was willing to follow any reasonable protocol, that I wanted to beat this cancer. He said he had patients who did not want to be inconvenienced by, for example, frequent doses throughout the day of something. Heck, I'll get a little timer if I need to. Cancer itself is an inconvenience, isn't it?!

He is easing me into a total program of shoring up my immune system, for starters. So far he has prescribed a couple of Chinese herb formularies that have been used for about 1000 years, some fish oil, and some turmeric. He likes a particular brand, which is being sent to me. I should start them on Friday. I am to lay off them the day before, the day of, and the day after chemo. Next week I am to get an acupuncture treatment ( a first for me) and possibly some more "potions." One thing he is doing is going after inflammation, which more and more research is showing has a relationship to cancer. He figures my lymph nodes are not just enlarged, but inflamed.

He has not approached the issue of diet yet, but I suspect that will come. On my own, I am cutting back on sugars. I get the feeling he likes a slow steady approach.

I brought in all my supplements, and he said I had done a really good job of choosing, just did not go far enough. That was nice to hear! I sure have done enough reading this past year about cancer and chemo and supplements. It feels good to have an expert at the wheel, though.

By Jennali
Posted November 11, 2009 at 12:45 am
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Don't know yet. After Monday's visit he said come back in 1 to 2 weeks. Since his closer to us office is open only on Mondays, we are somewhat restricted in scheduling. We will be out of town on Monday of Thanksgiving week, so that pretty much left next Monday. After that, we'll see.

One thing that I liked is that he stressed accessibility. We can call or email him and expect a response. Getting through to my oncologist is dicey. Usually I end up speaking to the nurse practitioner. This doc likes a very hands on approach.

Welcome to Inspire!

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