We have secured an appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (NYC) for Teresa on September 25. She will be seen by Dr. Nadeem Abu-Rustum. You can learn more about him here:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/nadeem-abu-rustum(And you can watch a short video of him speaking as well.)
He has wonderful reviews. He is smart and innovative. This story about a life saving surgery he performed on a pregnant woman with cervical cancer is amazing: http://nymag.com/health/bestdoctors/2010/66460/
(Not that pregnancy was ever a concern for us, but knowing that he was able to do that really helps us feel we’re in the very best possible hands at MSKCC.)
He is a gynecologic oncologist, and also holds the following positions: Chief, Gynecology Service; Vice Chair for Technology Development, Department of Surgery; Avon Chair in Gynecologic Oncology
We are working with a wonderful Patient Care Advisor who is helping us get everything going. We’ve already had her records sent from BRMC.
If any of you are fans of Grey’s Anatomy, from what we’ve learned so far, Abu-Rustum seems to have the very best qualities of Chief Webber, Dr. Derek Shepherd, and Dr. George O’Malley.
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That said, she does have another follow-up with Dr. Greene at BRMC on 9/20 (we’ll head to Abingdon on 9/19) in the morning. And that same day, in the late afternoon, she’ll meet with (we believe) Dr. Tamara Musgrave, an oncologist. We think she’s the oncologist who introduced herself to us while T was still in ICU, but we met so many people, we’re not sure.
At this time, we don’t know if all of T’s treatment will be done at MSKCC, or if at some point, we’ll have them refer treatment back to BRMC, so that we don’t have to drive as far for treatment. But BRMC in that case, would be strictly following the protocols and procedures as directed by MSKCC.
We will leave for NY on Saturday, 9/23.
If you want to visit before we leave, please send me an email so we can work out the best day. We do ask that if you’re feeling under the weather (or have an immediate family member who is) that you do not visit at this time. And we really appreciate those of you who planned to visit but let us know you needed to wait because you might be getting sick. Thank you!
Teresa wants to thank those of you who have sent her cards. She’s really enjoying getting them in the mail. Really cheers her up! She was especially amused by the *18* cute kittens received in the mail on cards from my brother and sister-in-law’s family (Brian & Donna), and her friend Maura. Even better, they arrived on the same day! 🙂
As you can see by the photo I’m including, great minds think alike!
Brian & Donna and also from Maura. Arrived the same day!