6 replies to this topic

[luvmybees24]

So I made an appt to see Dr. Schiffer that is affiliated with Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, MI. I got his name from some post on here a few years back from a woman who lived in New Jersey and her oncologist suggested she see him. I looked him up and don't see CML listed as a specialty but I see "Acute Myleoid Leukemia". Is that different or is that just the accelerated phase of CML? I assume if he is well experienced in all these other leukemias and is a specialist he would be good for me to see? I just don't trust my oncologist anymore. I need to find someone new. He is closer than the doctors at U of M. Is there any way to find a good CML dr? Like a # to call?

Laura.

[mikefromillinois]

Hi Laura,

Others who know more may confirm but I'm pretty sure the treatment of AML is different than our treatment.  I'm in Illinois and if my CML ever got complicated I'd be on my way to the U of M to see Dr. Moshe Talpaz.  I believe he is one of the true CML experts.  I had the pleasure of meeting with him a few months ago at a CML summit and he really seems to know his stuff.  Nice bedside manner, too: http://www.cancer.me...eadership.shtml

Good luck with whatever you decide.  Take care...

Mike

[hannibellemo]

Laura,

AML is quite different from CML. In the leukemias you have 4 major types AML and ALL; CLL and CML. The M= myeloid and the L = lymphoid. When CML goes into blast crisis you may hear someone say that their leukemia has "turned into" AML or ALL, but that is not strictly true. What has happened is that the leukemia is acting more like one or the other of those, but it's still CML.

Why don't you call and talk to someone in the department and see if they have a CML specialist? There is, however, an excellent CML specialist at U of M.; Moshe Talpaz. Why don't you call and make an appt. with him? Here's a link to his U of M page with phone numbers, e-mail and anything else you may need:

http://www2.med.umic...idual_id=129686

Good luck,

Pat

[luvmybees24]

Thanks everyone! He was my other choice. I am going to call and make an appt with Dr. Talpaz after all.

[luvmybees24]

Thanks! Calling to make an appt. Let's hope that blasted Medicaid comes through already!

[Susan61]

Hi: Seeing Dr. Talpaz is your best choice.  Everybody knows about him, even if we did not see him as our doctor.

I always felt that if you see a doctor who treats Leukemia Patients on a regular basis, then that is fine.  I worked for the Oncologist who found my Leukemia, and we had a lot of Leukemia patients.  Who ever thought he would tell me I had CML, but even after diagnosis he wanted me to go see 2 more doctors to see if they agreed with his plan of treatment.

That is why I admired him so much.  He was never arrogant to think he knew it all.  When he retired, his partner hired a real idiot to fill in for him.  One visit was enough for me.  I knew when it was time to move on.

I hope you get all the answers on everything your looking for when you see Dr. Talpaz.  I hope he says no BMB also, and to just do the PCR, but he might want one for baseline for himself as your new to him.

[luvmybees24]

I really don't think I can tolerate another BMB. That is why I am seeing him. He'd know better than anyone if its ABSOLUTELY necessary. However, if this Medicaid doesn't come through I don't know what I'm going to do. Specialists aren't cheap.