Going to Indiana Friday

[L.A. Chimp]

Hey everyone --

On the advice of two oncologists, I'm flying out to IU Friday to meet with Dr. Steven Willaims for a consultation. For those of you who may not know, I was diagnosed on 11/1/06 with Stage I Non-seminoma, Ebryonal cell (90%) and seminoma (10%) with VI. Every doctor I've met with (3) has suggested surveillance over anything, and i just had my first blood test and x-ray last week -- everything was fine. As was my original CT scan.

Just curious if anyone else here has flown out to Indiana for a consultation, and if there any questions I should ask Dr. Williams -- since he's one of the foremost TC experts in the country. Also has anyone here met with him?

Also, anyone have any good suggestions on what to do with my free time there and where to stay?

Thank you!


Jack

[Lori]

Hi Jack, my husband and I spent two months in Indiana for high dose chemo under the care of Dr. Einhorn. We didn't meet Dr. Williams, but the entire organization there is amazing and I think you will be extremely confident with the doctors. The easiest place to stay is right by the hospital - University Place (tell them you are a hospital patient) They have a good bar/restaurant as well. Also, I've heard the Westin downtown offers reduced rates if you go through the social work office at IU. We stayed at the Residence Inn on Canal Square since it had a kitchen. The downtown area is quite nice - and there are several good museums. Feel free to email me with more questions. Good Luck!

[indiana9]

Jack,
Dr. Williams is my TC oncologist and he is one the most terrific people you would ever want to meet. He will immediately put you at ease and will thoughtfully answer any questions you may have. Here is a link from the testicular cancer research council website that was helpful to me when putting my list of questions together:

http://tcrc.acor.org/quest.html

Good luck,
Brian

[L.A. Chimp]

Lori & Brian --

Thanks for the info...

Lori -- I'm actually staying at the Marriott on the Canal. Are there any good places to eat around there? I see there's a resaturant in the hotel. Is it decent or would you recommend a different place? And are the museums (or any other cool places) nearby?

Brian -- Thanks for the info about Dr. Williams. Unfortunately I found out this morning that he has an emergency and won't be able to see me tomorrow, which I'm pretty bummed about. But Judy at IU told me he was going to try to set me up to meet with Dr. Einhorn or Dr. Sweeney.

Thanks!

[Hopeful]

Which one did you meet with?

Dr. Einhorn is great, along with the entire staff.

Let us know what happened
Patti

ps my husband went to IU for HDC last year.

[Lori]

We stayed very close to there. There are a few museums right on the canal - the Indiana State Museum, an American Indian Museum, the NCAA museum and then some outside memorials. If you go to Meridian St (about 4 blocks away) there are 4 museums. We went to the Civil War museum and the World Wars Museums. The last was pretty neat. The hotel can definitely direct you. If you are staying at the hotel I think you are there are a few restaurants right there - Le Peep (great breakfast/lunch) is about 2 blocks and Bourbon St (bar/restaurant) is right around the corner. But downtown Indy is not far - 5 minute walk and there is everything down there.

Good Luck with the appt and let us know how you make out.

[L.A. Chimp]

I'm here in Indy right now. Got in last night. Brrrr is it cold! It's 8 degrees right now. Good times!

I'm meeting with Dr. Einhorn in about an hour and a half. I'll let you guys know how it goes. I'm back on a plane to L.A. this afternoon.

Thanks for all the info and advice!

[L.A. Chimp]

I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's help with the Indiana stuff. Dr. Williams had some sort of medical emergency, and Dr. Einhorn was unavailable, so I ended up meeting with Dr. Christopher Sweeney. He was very nice and knowledgeable (actually so was the entire staff). Dr. Sweeney basically concurred with all of the other doctors I met with, and said I should continue to do surveillance. He was very nice and went over my CT scans with me and said he would be available via e-mail or telephone If I had any more questions.

Has anyone here every worked with Dr. Sweeney?