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Hi Tess,
I was thinking of you the other day and wondering how things are going. My first thought was infection, but it sounds like you have exhausted a lot of resources, especially if the sales rep is involved. Does Sobraview have a “contact us” email or number? It might be that someone in product development has more experience with it than the rep.
Just curious for my own info, how is your dad’s Gemzar being administered? and how sick is it making him?
No answers yet here. The doctor went with gemcitabine. We have another chemoembolization scheduled this week, then a scan on Feb 16th to see if the treatments are doing any good.
I do have a colonoscopy and other check ups regularly . All of this cancer business and discussion has put a nagging into my head to go to the doctor for a once-over in the near future.
My question is: are there certain blood tests that I should ask for? tumor markers, etc?
Sarah,
I have been told that Medicare covers it, but I am not sure on Medicaid. Many on here have been through the exercise of appealing with insurance companies. You could search “insurance appeal” and may find something useful.
Suzanne,
My father had no symptoms other than weight loss. He had a C/E on Dec 29th and has fared very well. He will do it again on January 19th. We won’t know until he gets another MRI if it is working, but so far at least (fingers crossed) it has done no harm.
FWIW, we sought three opinions and C/E was what all three said. We may pursue R/E with the third doctor if the chemo doesn’t work.
Good luck with your decision and treatment!Charlotte,
We all know exactly what you are feeling. The best advice I can give is to read this website. The treatment options are limited in general: transplant, surgery, chemo, radiation, but broader specifically with many kinds of chemo and you just have to find what works, for example.
This site has provided me with a quick education, so I knew what to ask and what doctors to consider. Much is dictated by the size and location of the tumor(s).
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to be your husband’s advocate. Start a folder or notebook and keep copies of everything and notes of what you read. I don’t know your age, but if you have children who can help you, involve them. The onslaught of doctor visits, treatments and info can be overwhelming and it helps to have two set of eyes and ears.Please keep us informed. Best of luck!
Jan
Tonia,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have read your posts along and you have been a great caretaker and granddaughter for your Grandma. It sounds like your Grandma was ready to go and I am sure she knew you did all you could for her.
Jan
Carol,
I am sorry to hear the turn your journey has taken. I am praying for strength and peace for your family. I will be in W-S quite a bit in the coming weeks, don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything I can do. I will be just around the corner.
The Love Feast is a beautiful tradition. I hope to go to the one at Olivet. Is that your church?
Jan
Lorna,
The only suggestion I have is what a number of people have suggested to me. That is to read The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. I can’t say it will help as I have just started it.
The Tibetan culture has ingrained the understanding of death and preparation for it into its culture. Everyone I know (some cancer survivors, others who have lost their partners) who has what I consider to be a healthy understanding and outlook on loss, grief, death etc, all say this is the book that brought them understanding, peace and acceptance.
Hope this helps.
Suzannegm wrote:Hi Frogspawn,
Interesting that you should bring this up. the gastrointerologist I saw at Emory Crawford Long is interested in the genectics side of things. He was interested that my father had been exposed to asbestos in the 1950’s while he was in the Navy. My father died in 2000 from mesothelioma. Dr. Martinez said it would not be improbable that there was a connection if my Dad’s DNA had been altered by his exposure to asbestos (I was born in 1965).
However, as a child I also played in creeks and streams that were more than likely contaminated with PCB’s. I have not pursued this though.
Is there any history of asbestos exposure in either of your parents?Holy Cow! I could have written this! My grandfather died of lung cancer in 1986 believed to be caused by asbestos exposure. Of his 7 children, 4 (maybe 5, not sure on 1) have been diagnosed with cancer. Three of those have passed away as a result. My father survived colon cancer in 1995 and was diagnosed with CC in late October. Of his remaining 3 siblings, one is in her 80s and appears to have dodged it, the other is the youngest, and okay so far and the one I am unsure, but I think he has had malignant colon or bladder polyps removed.
I have a number of digestive problems: had my appendix removed and my gall bladder removed and still suffer from pain that has been tentatively diagnosed as biliary dyskinesia. My only sibling has irritable bowel syndrome.
I have long thought, as many on here do, that some folks’ cells have a propensity to mutate to cancer and others do not. I guess two people could be exposed to exactly the same thing and have different outcomes.
I HATE this disease.
Hi Carol,
Sorry to hear what you’re dealing with. I wish I had read this yesterday as I was in W-S all day today because my dad had 3 appointments. I would have brought some lunch, dinner, or moral support to you. I will email you when I find out if I will be back this week and if so, I will try to drop something by.
You and Charlie are in my prayers,
Jan
Tess, you father sounds identical to mine: colon cancer survivor, former drinker, fried foods and sweets. Many former drinkers replace the alcohol sugar with desserts.
This cancer is common among drinkers who have been sober for about 10 years. Helluva a payoff, huh?
tiapatty wrote:My mom drank a lot of pop as we call it here in Chicago, but not usually diet. She did like her sugar, I do think that in her case her poor diet may have had something to do with the cc and certainly did not help her in her recovery.Patty
Tia, can you elaborate on the diet and recovery part. My dad, though not a diabetic, eats a lot of sugar.
