How We Find Ourselves When Given a Cancer Diagnosis

Off and on I participate in surveys concerning lung cancer. Often the questions spark old memories, as they are supposed to. Sometimes the stars align and a comrade in arms ( another cancer patient) and my participation may go along the same subject matter. This happened recently when I was asked what I would have rather had happen in an 'ideal world' when I was first given my initial diagnosis. The following is a note I wrote to the person who wrote the description of the John Hopkins approach. Yesterday I was involved in a telephone interview concerning my diagnosis of lung cancer in 2012. One of the questions was how in 'an ideal world' I would have preferred my diagnosis to be given. After reading your description of the John Hopkins approach, that would have been close. As it has all turned out I have gotten almost all of that care and information over a three year period and am now in a clinical trial for Nivolumab. Every two weeks for the past ten months I have participated and my scans have showed stable with some improvement. I live in the second largest city in my state but at the time of my diagnosis there was no lung cancer specialist close to me. I ended up going for two separate opinions besides the initial diagnosis. I have had more luck than sense in my journey- and I wish all those who receive a lung cancer diagnosis would be able to take advantage or have at their disposal the attention and care that is provided by a team like the one at John Hopkins. I believe in clinical trials for all of us because of the advances that can take place when we do participate or can participate. I was so impressed by your description that I wanted to say so and share the description with others if that is all right with you. Here is the description and it is wonderful and ideal. Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic

"No one wants to hear that they have lung cancer. But if that is the diagnosis, then getting immediate, expert, coordinated treatment is key to the best possible prognosis. Whether a patient has been recently diagnosed and/or is seeking a second opinion, the Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic at Johns Hopkins offers access to a team of lung cancer experts who can review the diagnosis and create a lung treatment plan in one day. Typically, the process of diagnosing and developing a treatment plan can take weeks, maybe months, as the patient meets with each doctor separately and the doctors confer about treatment. In the multidisciplinary clinic, patients meet with a nurse practitioner, a palliative care specialist, and a medical informaticist in the morning. In the afternoon, patients meet with the team of lung cancer medical specialists, leaving with a treatment plan and the peace of mind that comes from having and understanding their diagnosis and a plan for treatment at a medical center considered among the best in the country for treating cancer. The day at the clinic includes: A lung cancer education session An opportunity to meet with a medical informaticist to learn about resources for lung cancer An opportunity to meet with palliative care specialists An medical evaluation with a resident or nurse practitioner Individual consultations with lung cancer experts, including a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, interventional pulmonologist, thoracic surgeon, and radiologist, depending on the specifics of the patient’s health status and status of lung cancer A treatment plan meeting with everyone present to present the treatment recommendation. Prior to the clinic, patients receive all the tests they need for an accurate diagnosis and to create a treatment plan."