CLL Specialist

[ANewMe2024]

Good morning all,

I am anticipating using OSU as my specialists. Can anyone offer any insight to working with them? Thanks!

[GMa27]

You mean the James at The Ohio State?

[ANewMe2024 in reply to GMa27]

Yes!

[Panz]

There simply none better then the James Cancer Center for any cancer but they are well know for their Leukemia care. I highly envy you your ability to go there…..now I am former Michigander and it is very unusual for a Michigan person to say anything positive but anyone saying anything against the James is being rather STUPID. I have a few people who owe then heir very life!!!

Please keep our community posted on your journey!!!

Panz👍🙂👌🤞☘️

[ANewMe2024 in reply to Panz]

Thank you Panz...it is very unusual for a Michigander to be positive about something in the Buckeye state...lol However you do have a national championship which we did not even get close to this year...I'm glad to hear that The James is recommended!

[cmh55]

I was previously treated by Dr Byrd at OSU before he moved to UC. From what I’ve researched, Dr Jennifer Woyach would be an excellent choice there. I believe she studied under Dr Byrd.

[ANewMe2024 in reply to cmh55]

I live about 2 hours from Cincinnati and 90 mi uses from Columbus..Sounds like I may have a choice...thank you!

[Panz]

You indeed have two of the very best choices and I am excited for you!! All the very very best!!!

Panz👍👍👍👍☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[ANewMe2024 in reply to Panz]

Thank you Panz!

[GMa27]

If ur near Cincinnati, I would go to Dr. Byrd! I used Dr. Byrd for second opinion. He is fabulous. The James is good too but Dr. Byrd is amazing.

Love the Michigan references....I am a huge Buckeye fan but if a great doc was in Michigan, I would certainly go there.

Go Bucks! 😉

[ANewMe2024 in reply to GMa27]

Thanks GMa27...I live in a house divided..the other half is a huge Buckeyes fan but I'm an alumni of Penn State.. that's bad word here...lol thank you for the input about Dr. Byrd!

[GMa27 in reply to ANewMe2024]

LOL Gator Fan too...also house divided!

Flag

[ANewMe2024 in reply to GMa27]

Lol..Gator fan here too..lived in Florida for a while...

[LynnB1947]

No direct experience with OSU here in Texas but I've read very positive comments from other CLLers including Brian Koffman MD who was in a clinical trial there. When I was diagnosed, I went to MD Anderson, one of the major cancer centers in the USA. For the most knowledgeable care, you are making the right decision by going to a cancer center like James. Wishing you the best .... Lynn

[ANewMe2024 in reply to LynnB1947]

Thank you Lynn. I'm fortunate that I live close enough to the James for treatment if that time comes. I've heard great things about MD Anderson...

[thompsonellen2 in reply to LynnB1947]

I don't know this for sure, but I image Brian followed Byrd to UC. If it's only another 30 min, I'd try to get an appt with Dr. Byrd. UC's facility is not as nice, but Dr. Byrd is world renown.

[ANewMe2024 in reply to thompsonellen2]

Great thank you Ellen!

[Katie-LMHC-Artist]

It sounds like you have some great options! My specialist is at Dana Farber. I’m lucky enough to be able to commute in to see him. He is also a researcher which is a bonus!!! I’m sure you’ll be in good hands! Stay warm! We are now in that deep freeze. By Sunday it will be 7 degrees in the morning. I’ve been feeding a feral cat that was at my old office space for 8 years. I worry about him in this weather. I build a shelter that is on pallets with insulation, tarps, and filled with straw. Getting ready to go feed him. It’s 14 degrees this morning. Good luck with things. Take care!🥰

[ANewMe2024 in reply to Katie-LMHC-Artist]

Hi Katie! I'm freezing and snow is on the way! I'm not as cold as you though! We had a heatwave today of 23 degrees..you sound like me with the feral cats...I have a feral cat house on my back porch..nice warm straw filled place and a huge bowl of food outside..it's probably frozen though.. Can I ask you a question? You are always so upbeat! How do you do it? I feel so many emotions right now!

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to ANewMe2024]

I think I take after my father who passed away in 2013. My father served during WWll in the navy. He was stationed in the South Pacific. The US government were doing nuclear testing at the time. My father’s ship was 4 miles away from the atomic testing. Almost all the men on board eventually got cancer. The exposure impaired my father’s immune system and when he came back to the states he contracted polio. It paralyzed an arm and a leg. My father worked F/T and never complained. He was extremely resilient. In addition he did a lot of volunteer work and helped other veterans get compensation from the government for their exposure. I admired him. He never gave up. I come from a big family and we are all like my father. He was a great role model. When I got diagnosed in 2010 I freaked out a bit. I then thought of my father and how resilient he was. It took me a while to process things and then I decided to look at my journey as a challenge. I knew I had to surround myself with positive people. After reading a book on vision quests I signed up and traveled across the country to go into the wilderness for 3 days alone to face my fears. I then earned a certificate as a holistic health coach and a few years later a cancer coach. I just keep challenging myself like my father did. I’m planning on retiring within the next year from my career and I’m looking at what’s next in my life. Of course I have my bad days but I’ve learned that I don’t have to stay in the space and usually the next day is better. I know this was a lot of information for you. I’ve learned to have acceptance for the health challenges I have and I keep striving for ways to move forward. I have to add one more thing. Every morning one of my sisters calls and tells me how amazing I am. It helps to hear that. I’ve put a few positive affirmations around the house to stay grounded and hopeful. We all have the power to reshift our thinking. It took me awhile to learn that. Hope my story may be a bit helpful for you. This site has amazing people who care. 💜

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to ANewMe2024]

I have this on my kitchen cabinet to look at every morning. It helps me start my day!💜

Affirmation

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to ANewMe2024]

Here is the other affirmation I have on my kitchen cabinet. Stay warm!!!💜

Affirmation

[cll2013]

I worked with Dr. Jones as a CLL consultant at OSU. He was very caring and took time with me. He even called me one time to discuss a question I posed in a portal. OSU has been at the forefront of developing Ibrutinib. I highly recommend them. (I forgave him for being a University of Michigan grad working at The Ohio State University - - "Go Blue").

[ANewMe2024 in reply to cll2013]

They allow Michigan grads to work at OSU?? Lol...it's good to hear great feedback about them.

[kimiD]

As someone who splits their time between Texas and Michigan, I have had the good fortune to see Dr. Weirda and Dr. Woyach. Yesterday was my 3rd visit to OSU and I am very pleased with the care, the environment, and the ease of communication with the staff at The James. There are several good doctors there as well. The sheer number of patients at MDA can be a bit overwhelming. While both places provide excellent care, I didn't feel that way at The James.

[ANewMe2024 in reply to kimiD]

Thank you kimiD.. I'm really leaning to OSU since it's not too far and I'm getting great feedback .

[lexie]

I began seeing Dr. Byrd at OSU in 2015 and followed him to University of Cincinnati. If you decide to see him the initial appointment can take 4-6 months unless you are looking at treatment and need an urgent 2nd opinion. I asked to be placed on the waiting list for cancellations so got in within 2 months. Something to keep in mind with OSU or UC,

[ANewMe2024 in reply to lexie]

Thanks Lexie! It's good to know that he's not too far from me..

[lexie in reply to ANewMe2024]

It is a 5 1/2 hour drive to UC for me but obviously worth it. Good luck with your decision and you can always change your mind later.

[Teddo]

I see Dr. Woyach once a year ( traveling from Md) for consultation and my local hematologist twice a year. Dr. Woyach took over Dr Byrd's research and leadership position at OSU, the James. She is wonderful in every respect: caring, thorough, and a part of and on top of the latest CLL research. From what I know of Dr Rogers I think I would be just as pleased.

The entire staff is welcoming and caring. You will receive top notch care there.

[ANewMe2024 in reply to Teddo]

Thanks Teddo! I've heard good things but this is a big decision so I value input from those with personal experience...

[Teddo]

You are most fortunate to be living close by and having a renowned Dr and team/center providing your ongoing care for CLL. All the best to you going forward.