Posted on 01/07/2015 6:30:22 AM PST by SweetAkitoRose
My sincerest condolences to you and both families.
prayers
Oddly enough, the rules are changing. Some cancer therapies have now shown promise in even eradicating late stage, metastasized cancers, wiping out every cancer cell in the body. So it is wise to adopt the idea that “a cancer patient is not terminal until they die.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncolytic_virus
http://www.nature.com/cgt/journal/v9/n12/full/7700542a.html
And it is not just viruses, but other treatments that can wipe out metastasis, and others used before the cancer has metastasized, may prevent it from doing so.
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/september/metastasis-protein-therapy-092114.html
But my bottom line is again, that not all doctors know these things, so a doctor that gives a “terminal” proclamation is likely wrong, because if he is current in new research, he will be *unable* to say for sure.
Cancer is *not* “settled science”.
Prays Sent! God Bless!
This is a ping list for cancer survivors and caregivers to share information. If you would like your name added to or removed from this ping list, please tell us in the comments section at this link (click here). (For the most updated list of names, click on the same link and go to the last comment.)
#6 is very important. Sadly the internet does not have all the information on various cancers one would think. Medical research is not easily found with a Google search.
The first instinct is to Google your anticipated surgery and treatments. That’s fine, but as you pointed out one size may not fit all.
I would add another point. Prior to my colon cancer surgery, the surgeon, and oncologist were confident my cancer was Stage 1. However the post op analysis of the cancerous tissue removed is the defining event. I was upgraded to 3a after the post OP pathology report.
That is why I strongly recommend that with the diagnosis of especially a higher mortality cancer, the patient seriously consider moving themselves to a research node known for that particular type of cancer.
Phoenix has particularly concentrated research for breast cancer, for example, and a top Oncologist sometimes explains the situation on the radio: how patients should go about getting treatment in ways most likely to minimize harm and save their life.
As I told her several times,I’m not brave or exceptional,its simply in the contract.
“...in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad.”
You are exceptional, whether it’s in the contract or not. And brave, although you sort of didn’t have any choice. People say “oh you’re so brave!” and I think “no I’m not, did I ever have a choice? I’m just doing what I HAVE to do, I have no choice”
I don’t feel brave. I want to quit chemo SO BAD.
Indeed. In my area in Texas the research/speciality node is MD Anderson in Houston.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.