roma35

yes, I have so many “moments” that set me off. I, too, don’t know when they will strike. It will come out of the blue, I will hear my dads voice in my head, think of his smile, see his work boots by the basement door, look out into his garden that is waiting to be dug up for spring, Ill see a grandfather walking with a child, and the tears will come. I live al block away from my parents, and for the last six months, unless I am going to their house, I wont drive passed their house. I will drive 3 blocks out of my way to get home, so I don’t have to pass their house b/c I know soon my dad wont be there, and my mom will be alone. That is a thought that I cant even try to reconcile right now. I haven’t had a full blown meltdown like you Pam, but I have had a steady stream of tears for many, many months. I think I feel like if I lose it, I will never recover. I have two kind of clueless brothers and a mother who is really not coping well with the thought of losing her husband of 45 years, so I have to keep it together. Pam, Darla, and Patsy, I hear and feel your pain. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
peace be with you
Barbara

Jill,
I wanted to welcome you to the site and let you know, I am thrilled you had a good report. My father has battled Cholangiocarcinoma for 20 months and is at the end of his battle as we have called in Hospice. I cant get enough of good news for other CC patients. I dont want to hear of anyone else dying of this disease. Hearing good stories like yours makes me so happy that another family may not have to go through this loss. Keep up the good reports.
Barbara

Robin,
I am sorry you got the cold shoulder from CTCA, when they ran into coverage issues. I have heard that story before about them, and it is really disheartening. Money talks in every aspect of every business. Unfortunately cancer is a “business” as well. One of the first questions they asked me at CTCA was about insurance, and when I said my father had medicare and Blue Cross, we had an appointment scheduled immediatly.
In the case of my fathers CC and their treatment recomendations, they weren’t “cutting edge” at all, infact our ONC was kind of a downer from the first appointment. They do offer alternative therapy as well as spiritual, but so do many other hospitals.
Take care
Barbara

Hi Amy,
I have mixed opinions of CTCA. I do like their philosophy that they don’t put an expiration date on someones life(or something to that effect) and they don’t turn away any Cancer patient by saying “there is is nothing we can do”, I think that is great that they give a lot of people hope and I think they have much success with many cancers. In my fathers case, we went there b/c our other Oncologist said that she wouldn’t treat his lung mets b/c there was no real proven treatment for them, and any kind of chemo given to him would weaken him more and destroy any quality of life that he had left. She said he could probably live another six months decently without any treatment. My dad didn’t want to hear that, he wanted to do something to fight. So I got a hold of CTCA and they were very receptive to seeing him. Unfortunately after reviewing all his cat, pet tests, they didn’t have too many treatment options. The doctor reccomended Xoleda, and he wanted to give it a try. After 3 months the Xoleda didn’t work, infact it really kicked his butt. He had had resection and was allready compromised in his internal organ area with scar tissue and hernias and after the first week of Xoleda, he suffered tons of abdomenal pain, and it has never gone away.
Given my fathers age, and history, I guess I wished the Onc at CTCA would have also suggested to do nothing with the lung mets. Even at the time, I felt that way. Given CTCA’s attitude on thier website and commercials, I didnt feel our Oncologist was positive at all, infact she pretty much said, that Xoleda is used for breast cancer patients, and has had “some” success with lung mets, but not too much…..
I always think second and third opinions are good, so I would definitly consider taking the trip to Illinois, but if they have the same treatment options where you are at, I would stay where you are.
I will say, for what it is worth, the hospital is beautiful and the staff is incredibly accommodating, and in your case they will find you a hotel and shuttle you back and fourth. They treat every cancer with alternative medicine as well, so those are all bonuses.
Good Luck

Hi Carolyn
sorry for what you and your husband are going through. My father has been battling CC for twenty months and we have had far more bad days then good. Our Gastrointerologist suggest every laxative under the sun, and we tried tons, but the one that worked the most effectivly was something called Magnesium citrate. It is available over the counter at most Pharmacies. It is a liquid, and should be taken only once a week, but it does the trick for my dad eveyytime. I would think if your huband had a blockage or obstruction there would be pain??
You have been added to my prayer list
Barbara

Hi Asher,
I am on this site everyday, twice a day, but lately havent been too active posting. My father was diagnosed July 08, and we have had a rough fall and winter with this brutal Cancer, and I haven’t had it in me to comment, but this site had been a Godsend, not just for information, but for creating an inviroment that has made me realize I am not alone. I just need to tell you, you are an amazing young lady with an incredible outlook. My father is 74, and I have 20 years on you. I know this must be such a difficult time for you, but you seem like you have such an inner peace. You could easily be so angry, and you are not. Your father is very lucky to have your support. I wish you courage in the time to come.
Barbara