Dr. Khagi and Hoag Family Cancer Center: A Gift from God…read more
Our nightmare began during what was supposed to be a wonderful vacation in Vietnam. After spending three days in Saigon and three glorious days in Hanoi, we were preparing to fly to DaNang when my husband suddenly developed a splitting headache. I feared he was having a stroke. An MRI at Vinmec Hospital revealed the devastating truth: he had a glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive brain tumor.
My husband underwent a successful craniotomy and remained in the hospital for 12 days. It was an ordeal we will never forget. Unfortunately, our experience with the neurosurgeon was deeply upsetting. He yelled at us and did not even see us before my husband was discharged, leaving us frightened and feeling very much alone at a time when we desperately needed guidance and compassion.
Six days after returning home, we met with Dr. Khagi, Medical Director of Hoag Family Cancer Center. What a difference! From the moment we met him, we felt we were finally in caring and capable hands. Dr. Khagi listened patiently to the events that led to my husband's diagnosis, his medical history, and his current condition. His knowledge, patience, and exceptional bedside manner immediately put us at ease.
Most importantly, Dr. Khagi was honest with us. He carefully explained the treatment plan and the harsh realities of this terrible disease. The surgeons in Hanoi had reassured us that my husband's 40% memory loss would disappear within 60 to 90 days. We eventually learned that recovery was not so straightforward and that we had to confront the heartbreaking reality of GBM.
Dr. Khagi did not sugarcoat the facts or offer false promises. He explained the seriousness of the diagnosis while reassuring us that he would do everything possible to help my husband. His honesty was difficult to hear, but it gave us something invaluable: a clear understanding of what we were facing and the ability to make decisions based on reality rather than false hope.
My husband has been athletic and physically active throughout his life, enjoying skiing and working out. He remains fit and trim, and we hold on to hope as we continue this difficult journey.
Throughout treatment, Dr. Khagi has closely monitored my husband's condition with regular blood tests, EKGs, CT scans, and MRIs. Each time, he takes the time to explain the results and discuss what they mean for the road ahead. This level of attention and communication is extraordinary. Too often, patients feel rushed through medical appointments, left with unanswered questions and uncertainty. With Dr. Khagi, we feel heard, informed, and genuinely cared for.
The radiation and chemotherapy were brutal, but my husband endured them. He must continue chemotherapy, including a medication that costs approximately $700 a month. The road ahead remains challenging, but having a physician we trust makes an enormous difference.
We feel incredibly blessed that my husband is being treated by Dr. Khagi at Hoag Family Cancer Center. To us, Dr. Khagi is a gift from God. His medical knowledge, compassion, honesty, and dedication have brought us comfort and strength during one of the darkest periods of our lives. I pray that he will continue to be by my husband's side and help us fight this terrible disease for as long as possible.
I cannot recommend Dr. Khagi and Hoag Family Cancer Center highly enough. If you or someone you love is facing cancer, you want a medical team (Jennifer and Carol are exceptional nurse navigators) that combines exceptional expertise with genuine humanity. That is what we have found at Hoag.
My father was fortunate enough to have his life saved from cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after other hospitals had declared his cancer incurable. That experience taught me how much the right medical team can matter. Today, I am grateful to have found that same sense of confidence and hope at Hoag Family Cancer Center.
Cancer is a frightening journey, and no physician can promise an outcome. But having a doctor who listens, tells you the truth, explains every step, and treats your loved one with compassion is priceless. For our family, Dr. Khagi has been that doctor, and we will forever be grateful to him and the team at Hoag Family Cancer Center.
