Having a hard time

Tiffany:
I think you are in great hands. I have never heard anything good about CTCA. My insurance won’t even discuss them.
If you want another opinion, I suggest you try Sloan Kettering or Columbia Pres. The good thing about that is if you can see drs. at both places, you make 1 trip and make a decision… they are both in NYC.
I know what you are going thru, girl. What if…. what about…. why me…. why doesn’t this work….??? WE all have the same problems and questions. I don’t think any of us are wanting to hang it up and call it quits, but we have to trust that IF we like our doctors, and IF they have such great reputations, that we are getting the best knowledge out there for a disease where there isn’t a whole lot of surety.
I think I told you Dr. Fong said every time the cc cells land in another place, they tend to mutate, which makes certain chemos work on some tumors while not affecting others.
Unfortunately, we were all dealt a bad deck. We are basically guinea pigs. And I for one tend to be a very tall standing guinea pig when they come up with a cure. I believe in my doctors (although Dr. K has no personality) and I believe they are trying to do the best by me. And I believe if they get stumped, they have colleagues that they talk to. I have to believe that. It’s what keeps me going.
You have to trust that they are trying to do all they can for you. They’ve adjusted your chemos, they’ve tried new ones when you had adverse reactions, they are starting to discuss Y90 radiation. You have lots going on. And yes, it’s hard to sit and wait for them to catch up. But please, try not to stress on it too hard, because stress isn’t good for you!!!
Call me if you need to talk. I’ll keep my phone near me…
Love ya gf!!

Tiff,

I have a friend that goes to CTCA. She has had a horrible time with infections and just seems to be getting worse and worse. I can’t help but feel if she were at a major cancer center that she would be treated more aggressively and be in much better health. Sure, CTCA pays for your flight, your food, and all that other stuff. But if I had a choice, I would choose expert care over all the fluff. Just my opinion. Love ya girl.

-Pam

Tiffany-Just because they have a great marketing team doesn’t make them the best cancer center. I was treated by the one of the worlds top doctor in the world and I doubt most people didn’t even realize Barnes-Jewish Hospital exsisted. Barnes is #9 in top 100 hospital and when was the last time you saw an add outside the St. Louis MO. area. MD Anderson and Dr. Javle are some of the most talked about hospital and doctor here becasue of there knowledge, trials and success in our cancer. Tiffany take comfort you are in good hands. (If you ever get to the point you need a second opinion, call Dr. Chapman!!).
Lots of prayers-cathy