rob-mullen
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That’s good to hear…..I would hate to think anyone would consider potentially exploiting grieving families in situations like ours!
I have not responded to that email yet and may just do so to see a bit more in detail of what specifically they are asking for, then obviously, I’ll re-post with what I found out.
I am always willing to lend a hand to someone in need, but the dollar amount addressed to me was “staggering” (to say the least) and anyone in such a situation of inheritance would have already been through an estate issue, to which a lawyer or family representative could have pointed them to the proper foundations, churches, and institutions instead of reaching out to a single member of this site.
On the other hand; maybe I made some sort of impression to a confused and reserve individual…..as much as I would want to help anyone, outside of my own family situation at the moment, this foundation (as example) is a good place to start in regards to any charitable contribution!
Thanks again for the replies…..I read them all and it makes for good relevancy to understand others situations, in comparison to my fathers, even though I typically remind myself that each cancer patient has an individual set of parameters of their situation.
It’s just good to know and hope that each of ours is the best it can be at any given time!
Stephanie;
After reading the posts to your original thread, it’s easy to see that all responders are concerned for you and your Mother! As am I…..
One particular item caught my attention in that your Mother has recently had stints to reduce “blockage” and is in pain. One particular treatment of consideration that’s worth discussing with your Mother’s physicians is the usage of PDT (Photo Dynamic Therapy).
I don’t have the link handy at the moment, but if you browse my introduction from yesterday you will find a link of PDT, to which our family recently learned about in usage with stints to not only stop the progression of CC but control the pain as well.
It is a procedure I recently discussed with our doctors and all are in agreement we will utilize when my fathers no longer able to tolerate the Gemzar he’s receiving or the cancer regains momentum.
I am truly sorry to learn about your Mother’s situation and recall others similiar to hers where the cancer returned and/or spread from unknown sites.
I also agree it’s important to maintain an aggressive approach as well, with all considerations towards your Mother and what her wishes are going forward.
The concept of “Faith” is important too…..and will pray for you and your Mother, as I do of others.
I can certainly appreciate your efforts in doing what you can for your Mother, just remember to not forget about yourself when you can get a break…..I know the feeling and feel guilty even if I am briefly away from our situation, but you will need your own space and time to continue being “strong” for her and your family.
Please feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk with or simply “listen”…..
Rob
For those that wrote and are curious as to our fathers situation, going forward…..it’s good news.
The CT showed that the cancer cells/ sites have not grown or spread further…..yet, the largest mass remains identical in size @ 8 x 16 cm.
This is good news because the Gemzar is working and obviously giving us more time with our father.
His blood work came back good on many levels and even the “clotting” issue appears to also be under control for the time being.
We’re pleased but also realize what’s coming…..even though this is probably the best we could hope for in “quality of life” and know his situation could be worse, we’re thankful.
The “itching” was determined to be a reaction to the CT contrast and will decide whether to ‘pre-medicate’ him prior to the next CT.
Of course, this all hinges on how he tolerates the continued Gemzar treatments and this being his fifth series of “3 weeks on and 1 week off”.
He tolerated the first treatment of the fifth series well the first day after; however, he’s feeling it this morning and is stronger than before. We’re associating this to a “build-up”, as it’s been the course all along…..just will have to see how the rest of the week goes.
One option in suggestion is a greater dosage of Gemzar twice a month…..in essence, he is receiving a 175ml/ 1568mg dosage now (80% strength) 3x’s a month. They feel he could tolerate a heavier dosage of 100% strength just two weeks a month giving him two weeks “off”!!!
We like that idea and was what I was looking for, as noted above…..
In addition, when PDT was brought into the conversation, the doctors acknowledged this is available and ideally for my father in controlling the pain once the cancer regains momentum and resists the Gemzar.
We are told his CC is known to eventually resist the Gemzar…..so the PDT timing would be a form of “maintenance” w/o stints, at the end of the Gemzar treatments.
It all clears alot of “unknowns” for us and is gradually eliminating the “what-ifs”…..at least we know he is receiving quality care and hope to enjoy our remaining days with him, without him suffering.
In regards to the “Tarceva”…..our doctors did confirm that it can be effectively utilized with Gemzar (as I read it could be from the above responses), but essentially that patient would have to have sufficient liver function in order to be able to receive such a medication, because of the side effects.
One final note…..I just sincerely want to thank all of you who replied and pray for the best in your situations. Please feel free to contact me individually, as some of you have.
God bless
Just to note after reading the discussion(s) regarding PDT…..I happened to notice one responder quoting that their family member was receiving a combination of Gemcitabine and the product “Tarceva”.
As I am sure a physician would be quick to inform those that inquire…..it wasn’t long before I learned that the drug Tarceva is particularly prescribed to target “lung” and “pancreatic” cancer, with specific side effect notations from the drug manufacturer in regards to effects directly upon the liver.
Certainly appeared to be a “Red-Flag” in relation to CC…..
I intend to discuss all the alternatives available to my father today, with our physician and her assistants. So for those of you interested in the results of that discussion, I will post in ‘reply’ again later tonight or tomorrow.
The PDT alternative has my curiousity peaked and btw…..I did a bit of “brushing-up” on knowing how doctors prefer to be in discussion from a book titled “How Doctors Think”, by Jerome Goopman, MD.
Helps to not offend them, especially when we have been extremely satisfied with The Wilmont Center, as a whole…..through both my brothers and fathers situations!
None the less…..I’m hoping for a more ‘pallitive’ approach, going forward.
To all who have responded:
Thank you all for writing and sincerely appreciate your responses…..each have brought a bit of perspective and hope!
It’s what I was looking for and pray that each of you, in your own unique circumstances, are able to cope and obtain some form of “quality of life”!
I’m not always online and will occasionally follow-up on responses to this thread but if you wish to contact me directly…..please do so at the attached email address.
Again…..thank you all for your kind words and interest in our situation!
God Bless
Lainy…..thank you for replying and appreciate what you and your family have been through.
There never seems to be a “great” decision to make, yet in what you’ve briefly described in regards to your husbands situation and type of CC…..you chose what you felt was best.
I think my father has a different type (of sorts) of CC because the “Gemzar” prescribed for him was specific in “maintenance” in giving him a “quality of life” vs. no chemo at all, being that radiation and surgery were not an option in his “Stage-4” evaluations.
You are right…..it’s a valuable ‘topic’ and hope one of you has or is facing a similiar situation to which the chemo is beginning to take “good” days away and if a ‘reduction’ of Gemzar is possible.
Thank you again for your response and god bless.
