Surgery location in DC area-HELP/ADVICE

[Marc]

Well, it looks like I WILL be sent out of Bethesda Naval Hospital (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) to a local/regional med center with more experience in managing our unique tumor.  It does not appear that it's possible to be seen at distant sites...ie. House.  This information was passed to me yesterday...unfortunately, this process of military referral will begin next week.  Obviously, I want to be in the best hands.  As a military pathologist I really do not know the civilian neurosurgical/skull base community very well.

Currently, my viable options are Hopkins, Georgetown, Washington...all local and participate in TRICARE.  My symptoms have have really intensified and I desperately need to get the ball rolling for surgery.  Does anyone have ANY information on these medical centers or comments on Drs. Alessandro Olivi (Hopkins) and/or Walter Jean (Georgetown)?

Any input on these Drs./medical centers would be appreciated? Thanks!
-Marc       

[Meshell201]

Marc, I was diagnosed in February by my local ENT in Fredericksburg, VA.  He immediately referred me to the University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville (Dr. Kesser & Dr. Hashisaki) and said that "if you want the best of the best, UVA is where you need to go".  While researching UVA, I found that Dr. Kesser is ranked 39th in the nation for ENT.  Here's the link.  I know UVA isn't in the immediate DC area, but you may want to check them out. I wish you all the best.  Michelle

http://health.usnews.com/top-doctors/directory/best-ent-otolaryngologists?specialist=ENT-Otolaryngologists&doctor=Name&hospital=Hospital+Name&doctor_gender=&sort_by=name&specialties=044&specialties=158&location=City%2C+State%2C+or+ZIP&specialty_plural_urlname=ent-otolaryngologists&page=31

[Tod]

UVA is good. MCV/VCU in Richmond is also good. Very good in my opinion. Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, my neuro at MCV is Chief of Neurosurgery at McGuire VA Medical Center.

-Tod

[Meshell201]

Tod, thanks for the info on MCV/VCU.  I will consider them for a second option.  I went back and read the article that I linked and I had a typo on my UVA info -- UVA is ranked 39th in the Nation, Dr. Kesser is ranked among the top 1% in the nation in his specialty -- according to the article. 

[mojwri54]

Dr. Walter Jean at Georgetown is good.  He did not hanlde my operation that doctor has moved to New Mexico which I like better he had more bedside.  I was referred ti Dr. Walter Jean when the small piece they had to leave in was starting to grow (my tumor in the beginning was large and to large for radiation). I had Cyberknife this time the first week last August,  And my 6 months MRI showed what was expected at this stage.  it says the tumor is larger. This is not unexpected. It’s common for the tumor cells to swell after radiosurgery, and then shrink down later on.
I am to have another MRI in August and most likely will go to 1 year for MRI.  He was good and friendly but like the doctor I had before.  I also had Dean  Collins at Georgetown for the radiation.  Which so far I really hadn't had bad side effects from. That last two weeks I have had several days of bad headaches but I think my allergies is making things worse. Best of luck. 

[staypoz]

A lot of folks in the metro DC area go to Hopkins for treatment.  When I went up for my initial appointment, I saw both a radiosurgeon and a regular neurosurgeon.  I don't know if radiosurgery would be an option for you.  Hopkins neurosurgeons are partial to the retrosigmoid approach, which, like all of the treatments available, has its pros and cons.  I think the next local ANA support group meeting is in mid-May.  You might find it useful to attend and talk to others from the local area about their experiences.

staypoz

[OTO]

Marc

Take a look in the Insurance category.   There is a thread titled Tricare.   A bunch of retired military and dependents keep the thread going.  Some are in the DC area and can give you info.   Somewhere on the forum is some posting from a military person, I think he was going to Madigan Army Medical Ctr for his surgery.   There was a neurosurgeon who does AN surgeries.  I vaguely remember that he may have done a fellowship at House Clinic or one of the major AN clinics...

[sharondaniels]

Hi!  I had my treatment done at UVA  started out seeing Dr. Kesser and I had GK done with Dr. Sheehan in Dec. 11. 
They were very good at UVA.  wish you the best.

[Rick Everingham]

My surgery was done at the McGuire VA hospital by the docs from MCV.  Excellent treatment, very pleased with them.

[R96SS]

Marc
I'm new here but had my Retrosigmoid surgery at Hopkins in July, 2009 by ENT Dr Michael Holiday & Neurosurgeon Dr Jon Weingart. My surgery was 7 hours but I came out of it nicely with only hearing loss in my left ear.
Hopkins is an awesome facility & they took care of me very well & the whole surgical & nursing staffs were great. I had my surgery on a Wed, discharged from Hopkins on Fri but I was staying in rental rowhouse 1 block from the hospital for another week....it was well worth it.
I can't say enough about the people & care at Hopkins.
Tony

[kixit]

I just had translab done at UVA (May 24th). Dr Kesser was my surgeon/doctor. I was 2 hours away and a little stressed about my family not being able to visit because of distance. The UVA  staff treated me very well and gave the best care.

Dr Kesser is easy to talk to, has a great bedside manner and goes beyond the call of duty as well as the resident doctors.

My AN was just 9mm but caused SSD on the left side, tinnnitis (I still have) but very thankful no facial paralysis. I am still having balance issues but just 2 weeks post is to be expected.

Good luck finding a facility and with your surgery 

[Mei Mei]

I wouldn't go to Hopkins if I were you.  I had to have two surgeries to correct the Hopkins surgery and am still not well.    Try your best to go where Tod went at VCU in Richmond or if possible, HEI with Dr. Friedman.
Mei Mei

[Mei Mei]

There is Dr. Frederic Schwartz at 5530 Wisconsin Avene in chevy Chase.   My Sleep Apnea doctor said he is the only doctor she would send her family and friends to.   He was upset when he met me because the retrosigmoid should never have been done for such a small tumor.   I've had two surgeries and many blocks and epidurals to recover.
If I were you I would go where Tod went in Richmond.    He came out great.
UVA which I am partial to because my daughter and her husband work in the med school there and I observed three grandchildren there.

Good luck with your decision and let us know what happens.