As a new forum member (my mom has metastisized melanoma), I have been reading as many comments as possible and responding when appropriate.
I am wondering what you all think about posting a response to a few questions I have and providing answers that would benefit current and future readers? I am not familiar with forum policies and procedures so this may already be in practice so forgive me if so.
It seems that the emotional response to the disease is more random, spontaneous, personal, and variable therefore difficult to summarize in an abbreviated way. However, some information may be helpful to list as initial or separate post. For example, if you were to post the following info:
Date and name of diagnosis
Initial doctor of diagnosis
Referred and/or current doctor or facility including date of first appt.
(if known) Treatment Plan
(if known)Duration of treatment plan
And for those who are not newly diagnosed, the following questions could be answered:
Experience during treatment including drugs used, doctor/hospital relationship, and emotional wellbeing
Outcome of Treatment Plan upon completion of drugs and therapy
Update of health since completion of treatment plan; this would include recurrences, additional health problems, cancer free experiences, lifestyle adjustments or how you resumed your previous lifestyle, ongoing therapy (of all kinds), emotional well being, and general follow up that would benefit other readers. Basically, this would complete a sort of informal profile of your experience that would allow other readers the benefit of experience from beginning to end.
Last, I think it would be helpful to ALL to list any thoughts, prayers, resources, ideas, medication, therapies, etc. etc. that were helpful before, during, and after the experience. Well, there's no after but I mean post-treatment. For example, you could list another informational website, a meaningful poem, diet ideas, or anything you found beneficial in your experience dealing with cancer.
Last, really last- how about mentioning outside resources that you've used or know of? There are many foundations and groups willing to provide assistance. You could mention the resources you found helpful/not helpful while encouraging or helping newer readers when they need the assistance outside of what this forum can provide. For example, you could mention that the American Cancer Society provides free educational materials including a coloring book for kids and provide the link and address.
We could also add a question for readers to indicate if they'd like to be contacted or be willing to answer new posts--I noticed many posts did not have responses. The posts were heartbreaking and could use a response from someone. Just a hello. Would there be members willing to do that?
What do you think? Am I full of hot air? Has this been done and I've wasted my time!!!???? I just want to help....thought that doing a separate post with medical info would allow new readers to quickly view where/what/who/how of other members and find what relates to them.
Please respond even if you don't have much to say- Just mention good idea, bad idea, go back to bed, get off this forum......I appreciate the feedback and look forward to hearing from any of you willing to take a moment-
Thanks-
NanaGlo's daughter,
amy
Mother, Gloria
1995 Melanoma on back of leg, referred to Dr. Vukov, OSF oncology, Peoria, IL
1995 Surgical removal of mole
11 years cancer free
11/06 Breast cancer diagnosed; referred to surgical oncologist, surgical removal of mam. carcinoma
12/06 pathologist report revealed it was not mam. carcinoma but metasticized melanoma. Patient referred back to original oncologist, Dr. Vukov
1/07 PET scan revealed two other tumors, original M.D. recommended visit to cancer clinic. Patient chose MD Anderson of Houston, Tx.
2/07 Treatment Plan begins with Dr. Kim at MD Anderson Cancer Clinic Houston Tx