Fox Chase Cancer Center

Reviews 3

CA

Catherine Rosenberg

Living with lymphedema is not an easy task by any means. There are lots of things involved in managing this condition. Although I did do all these things religiously, I still developed lots of complications from my lymphedema. I have lymphedema in my entire lower extremity. Unfortunately, we did not realize how bad this condition was for me until about 2004 when I started to get cellulitis infections on a regular basis. These infections are very painful and always involved at least a 1-week hospital stay. Needless to say, that was very difficult especially being a college student. Not only was my lymphedema causing cellulitis infections, which can be intensified with a total hip replacement, but my lymphedema actually played a role in a dislocation of my recently replaced hip back in November 2013. My infection rate was so frequent in Fall 2014, where I spent more time in the hospital than at my own home from September 2014 – March 2015, that I approached my Orthopedic Oncologist, Dr. John Abraham, about a surgical procedure that was being offered by Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery department. I was advised to go for a consultation with Dr. Eric Chang and see if anything could potentially be done to assist with my lymphedema. Upon meeting with Dr. Eric Chang and his resident and fellow it was determined that I would be a good candidate for one of these surgeries, more than likely the vascularized lymph node transfer however he was not discounting the lymphaticovenous bypass until he actually looked for the blockages in the operating room if I decided to go through with the surgery. Unfortunately, we did not know what the ultimate outcome was going to be because I have had this condition for 25 years where the average person only has lymphedema for about 5 years prior to having this surgical procedure done. At this appointment, Dr. Chang encouraged me to go home and think about if I wanted to go through with this procedure before making a final decision. During my conversation with Dr. Chang on the first visit I asked him lots of questions and he answered my questions with ease and confidence. He also provided me with a list of other doctors who complete these identical surgical procedures if I wanted to obtain a second opinion. I knew that this was not going to be an ultimate cure for my lymphedema; however, at this point I needed to do something because my lymphedema was now controlling my life where I was unable to work or do anything except rest which is not the lifestyle a 33-year old should be living. The following week I met with Dr. Chang again to discuss the surgery further as I did make the decision to have this procedure done. I had nothing to lose, it was not going to make my lymphedema worse the worst case was it helped my infection rate without reducing the volume of my lymphedema leg. I am now 8 months post surgery and can honestly say this was the best decision I have ever made in my medical history. I am now able to do things I could not have imagined or have done since I was 8 years old. I have had an amazing experience at Fox Chase through the many nurses, doctors and nursing assistants that were present during my hospital stay. Prior to surgery I had an almost 30% volume difference between my affected and unaffected leg. Currently, I have a 10% volume difference between the 2 limbs. This change in volume accounts for a 60% improvement in the difference between the volumes of my 2 legs. Needless to say, I was not expecting the volume change to be that drastic in such a short amount of time but I am very happy that it did being we didn’t know what the potential end results would be due to my longevity with lymphedema. Currently, I am receiving lymphedema treatment through Fox Chase Cancer Center as well as following up with Dr. Chang. If I ever need any questions answered about my condition Dr. Chang is just an email away.

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A Private User

In 2013, I went to see my primary care doctor about recurring pain in my lower back. After a battery of tests - X-rays, CT scans, MRIs - I was finally diagnosed with cancer. I remembered that moment, because the world lost all its color to me - it turned monochrome. (I am an architect by education, like to draw, paint and take photography, so colors are very important to my perception of the world.) At first I didnt know what to do with myself and I felt defeated. Eventually, though, I collected myself and decided to go to Fox Chase Cancer Center for a second opinion. After some research - asking friends, looking through various websites - I was referred to Dr. Robert Uzzo at FCCC. My very first appointment with Dr. Uzzo gave me renewed hope. Speaking softly and warmly, yet firmly and confidently, he reassured me that I could expect the best care possible and that I neednt worry too much. While initially I had been told that I might need to have my kidney removed, Dr. Uzzo immediately relieved my worries, telling me that it was not necessary. His treatment philosophy, as Ive learned since, is to do everything in his power to save the kidney. I come from a family of doctors - my father was a pediatrician and a professor of medicine back in Ukraine, where I come from. He was extremely kind to the children who were his patients, as well as to everybody else he met. When I was a child, I always felt safe and taken care of, because of his doctors talents. I am not exaggerating when I say that after meeting with Dr. Uzzo, I felt just as safe and taken care of as I had been in my childhood. With his congenial manner, Dr. Uzzo engendered respect and trust. Perhaps Im embellishing somewhat, but after becoming Dr. Uzzos patient, I started to see the colors around me once again, and recovered my lost joy in life. I would be remiss if I did not also thank all the terrific people who took care of me both at Dr. Uzzos office and at the Fox Chase Cancer Center hospital while I underwent and was recovering from the surgery - the entire nursing staff, the anesthesiologist, and all other personnel. They treated me with kindness and compassion, helping cope with the pain after what was a quite serious operation. I have no reservations about recommending anyone diagnosed with cancer to go to Fox Chase Cancer Center in general, and Dr. Uzzo in particular, in case of kidney/urology issues. Its no wonder that FCCC is listed as one of the national cancer treatment centers - the quality of care is outstanding.

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A Private User

I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer and my wife and I researched a lot to find the best Hospital and Surgeon. So we finally decided on Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. We chose Dr. Marc Smaldone as my surgeon. We could not have made a better choice. My hospital stay was just one night. The surgery went great. The cancer was all in the left side of my prostate so Dr. Smaldone saved the entire right nerve bundle and removed all the cancer. He came in late evening post surgery to see how I was doing, after doing operations well into the evening. Poor guy was dead tired. He even called me twice while I was home recovering. 2 weeks after the catheter was removed I was back at the gym working out at around 50 percent my capacity. My wife and I are intimate at least 2 times a week. No erection but that will be normal for months. Also the thing I worried about the most was incontinence. But the day they removed the catheter I was so surprised to find that I had most of my continence. Of course it was because I practiced and practiced my Kegal exercises. Today, 6 weeks post op checkup my psa test showed nothing. Im getting away with wearing just a thin pad once a day and one at night just in-case. I do have a little leakage once in a while but OMG its almost nothing. The Staff at FCCC was so kind and caring during my stay with them and continue to be today. Dr. Smaldone is so great. He understood my needs and did everything to meet them. He just seems to be a very caring down to earth guy who took the time to explain everything to me and my wife. Im very glad we chose him and FCCC. I may not be the norm for recovery from this surgery but I believe that if it werent for Dr. Smaldone and FCCC the outcome would have been so different. Im 60 and never in my life thought I would have to go through anything like this. But I can honestly say the experience was so much easier for me because of the support from everyone at FCCC.