OHSU for radiation?

[jsteph]

Hi all,

Has anyone had experience with or have knowledge of OHSU, in Portland, Oregon for radiation therapy? I do know they use Novalis Tx which is an alternative to Cyberknife.

I'm choosing insurance prior to the 12-15 deadline and it's been a hard decision. It's extremely expensive for me and I have little choice in policies. I think there is a good chance that I will seek radiation treatment in the coming year, so the choice of insurance is critical. I live in southern Oregon and I believe my insurance options may only allow in-Oregon treatment and the only treatment center that I know of that will be allowed for my insurance option is OHSU in Portland (I was hoping to have the options of Providence Hospital and also Legacy, not to mention House and Stanford in California).

I've been watching and waiting for nearly three years, my AN has been growing, symptoms seem to be worsening, and my time of W/W may be coming to an end.

Thanks

[tdlight]

jsteph - Hi from another Oregonian.  What did you end up doing?  I know it's probably too late, but I have Providence and they covered my treatment at Stanford.

- Terry

[jsteph]

Terry, Thanks for the response. Just yesterday, I got a radiology report on my latest MRI and it showed no growth over the last 17 months. Obviously good news.

I also have Providence. It's the lowest cost plan I could get and afford (still $800 month) and has a high deductible and is basically catastrophic only.

Good to hear that your plan allowed treatment at Stanford. I hope that will be an option for me too if/when the time comes.

What treatment did you opt for and how are you doing?

[tdlight]

That IS good news!  For watch and wait do you know if there is ever a length of time of no growth where one would be out of the woods and the tumor is considered stable?  17 months seems like a very good sign; keep it up!

I went with Cyberknife with Chang and am doing great two years post.  Slight hearing loss but good otherwise.  You can read every detail here if interested (maybe save it for an attack of insomnia):

https://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=22598.0

Take care - Terry