Arizona Center For Hematology & Oncology

I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in December of 2011 after a CT Scan, PET Scan and biopsy revealed the disease. My primary care physician recommended that I go here and I was assigned to Dr. Christopher Verdi. He evaluated my condition, (Stage 4 CLL) handed me a bunch of literature and sent me on my way with a wait and see approach, which is common in patients with CLL. Two weeks later he evaluated me again and decided that there actually was little time to wait and treatment should begin right away. I got a second opinion at the University of Arizona, in Tuscon. They agreed but they also convinced Dr. Verdi to modify the first set of Chemotherapy infusions. Too much Rituxin and Bendamustine, during the early phase of treatment, might have killed me.
The first and only chemo-​therapy infusion cycle I had here began in mid January 2012. The infusion area is a big, crowded, cold room with 27 black leather lounge chairs in an oval formation. There was a flat screen TV on one side of the room, bathrooms in the back, a water cooler and a box of off brand cookies on top of the cooler. When I was there, all of the seats were taken with cancer patients, of all ages, in varying degrees of health, all hooked up to their IVs. There is no privacy and the atmosphere here is morbid. The medical staff was excellent. The RNs and medical helpers were very professional, and all very nice people. The infusion equipment is NOT state of the art, but all personnel were constantly monitoring all of the patients. My infusion treatment calls for two consecutive days of about five hours each day and a return on the third day for a shot of Neulasta. I was not prepared for what followed.
Cancer and pain are partners in crime. We all assume that. But what I wasn’t prepared for, were the seemingly endless side effects of the therapy. Everyone is different. The cancers are different. The treatments are different. I get it. But cancer treatment must include an approach to the totality of the experience. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR THAT. If you haven’t slept for days after the infusions; if your ears are ringing, your body aching and twitching, eyes tearing; if you can’t stop sneezing and God forbid your chest aches like a hundred heart attacks at once, DON“T call Dr. Verdi. He’s too busy. He cant help you and he certainly will not call you back. You’ve got problems? Go to the emergency room or call 911. This place exists to administer your chemotherapy. That is it. Don’t call them and don’t come back until your next scheduled appointment.
Lucky me. I shattered a molar about a week or so after my first infusion and required emergency dental work. My dentist needed to consult with my oncologist. Oral surgery would require approval. Dr. Verdi would not come to the phone to discuss this with my dentist. After trying for almost an hour, my dentist gave up and sent me home. That was the last contact I ever had with this place, except to tell them to cancel my treatments because I would not be returning.
There are new protocols in the treatment for cancer and many options, especially if you have good medical insurance. I won’t try to sell anyone on any particular institution. I have found a treatment center that takes a holistic approach to my care and provides for every need and then some. I like the place and I’m getting healthy again. If you require cancer care, you are not a number, an object, a dying worthless sack of shit. Carefully explore your options. Consider yourself worthy enough for dignified treatment and keep a generous amount of Vicodin, Ambien, and Clariton (yes Clariton) around the house.