CancerCompass message board discussion started by Wyattsmom on 1/11/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,8769,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Where would you take a 17 year old if the local docs said chem, rad or surgery would not help? What would you do next?   Wyattsmom Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT I would take them to one of the top 50 hopsitals.This web site gives the top 50 for cancer http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/rankings/ I am a stage IV survivor and was initially told I could die at any minute, that I had 18 months to live with surgery tops.  I went to one of the top 50 hospitals and they gave me hope.    That was July '04.  I have no evidence of cancer, and after the surgery I came through with flying colors.  I worked all the way through my chemo.  The good Dr.s in MN combated all of my side effects so I had as much energy as ever, even during chemo.  If your Dr can't help you, go find one that can.Ask questions here, people can help.  Cptmac Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for the link. Wyattsmom Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Wyatt's mom, My husband's prognosis isn't good either. He is  currently getting treatment at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia. We are very impressed. They spare no expense for your comfort. People are wonderful and very good at what they do. The best thing is the feeling of hope they instill in you and the importance of also treating the mind, body and soul all together. I wish you the best of luck. Lydias Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Where did you go? Lydias Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT My father was dx w/stage IV EC in 2002. We went to Mayo in Rochester MN. He was treated for 3 months w/agressive Chemo and Radiation. Then surg. He did extremely well w/everything. He has had several good healthy years. We just found out that his cancer has came back to the collar bone. So we are going back to fight it again!! But we have been extremely impressed w/Mayo.  Sara Sara0829 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/11/2007 Wyattsmom wrote:Where would you take a 17 year old if the local docs said chem, rad or surgery would not help? What would you do next?   University of Pennsylvania has done very well by my brother who was told at one comprehensive cancer center that they would not treat liver mets...he should just go enjoy the rest of his life.   Treatment at Penn killed the liver mets and he has no other signs of disease on scans.FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!   Do not give up!  Where do you live? Barbaram Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/11/2007 Cptmac wrote:I would take them to one of the top 50 hopsitals.This web site gives the top 50 for cancer http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/rankings/ I am a stage IV survivor and was initially told I could die at any minute, that I had 18 months to live with surgery tops.  I went to one of the top 50 hospitals and they gave me hope.    That was July '04.  I have no evidence of cancer, and after the surgery I came through with flying colors.  I worked all the way through my chemo.  The good Dr.s in MN combated all of my side effects so I had as much energy as ever, even during chemo.  If your Dr can't help you, go find one that can.Ask questions here, people can help.  Hi cptmac..great to hear about u..my dad is a stage 4 patient. How can I spur him on? I can see he's depressed, but I just dont know how to help.Currently on folfox treatment (his third chemo session, his condition seemed to worsen even after his second chemo on Xelox). We are not staying in US or UK.What can I do to help? How can I help to improve his appetite, emotions, quality of life? I feel so helpless at times, frustratingAdvice from all appreciated.   Raychel Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 1/31/2007 Raychel wrote: On 1/11/2007 Cptmac wrote:I would take them to one of the top 50 hopsitals.This web site gives the top 50 for cancer http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/rankings/ I am a stage IV survivor and was initially told I could die at any minute, that I had 18 months to live with surgery tops.  I went to one of the top 50 hospitals and they gave me hope.    That was July '04.  I have no evidence of cancer, and after the surgery I came through with flying colors.  I worked all the way through my chemo.  The good Dr.s in MN combated all of my side effects so I had as much energy as ever, even during chemo.  If your Dr can't help you, go find one that can.Ask questions here, people can help.  Hi cptmac..great to hear about u..my dad is a stage 4 patient. How can I spur him on? I can see he's depressed, but I just dont know how to help.Currently on folfox treatment (his third chemo session, his condition seemed to worsen even after his second chemo on Xelox). We are not staying in US or UK.What can I do to help? How can I help to improve his appetite, emotions, quality of life? I feel so helpless at times, frustratingAdvice from all appreciated.  I would suggest Cancer Center of America 1 (800) 294-8333.  I am also a Stage 4 Lung cancer patient being treated @ CTCA, Philly, PA. They have departments that focus solely on all of the items you mentioned.As for the depression like symptons, I too went through the same thing.   I cried all the time and when I spoke to my Dr. he prescribed Lexapro (an anti-depressant) and it has really helped me with my emotional roller-coaster which improves your quality of life as well.But the biggest thing that has helped be is being Saved, joining the church and being Baptized.  My additude now is "I don't want to die, but I'm Ready. Good Luck on choosing a facility. CTCA was my second stop and it's the best. Kelseyboy   Kelseyboy Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT >my dad is a stage 4 patient. How can I spur him on? I am a very cheerful person.  All of my medical teams couldn't believe my humor and great attitude through all of this.  I've always known how to cheer myself up.  But sometimes my friends helped.  Try different things and see what works.  And take it one day at a time.    After coming in and out of the hospital, I was tired of seeing Dr.'s.  My friends had a "your Doctor is hot" party (he looks like Eric Stoltz) they bought a bunch of movies with him in it.  So my doctor became my fake boyfriend and I always looked forward to seeing him.Then, when I got better, I was insulted when he said, see you in three months, I had read a lot of medical books and did a lot of research, so my friends were concerned.  They bought me fashion magazines.  But, what did the trick is, someone remembered that I love pacman.  They got me the game, hooked it up, then all I wanted to do was eat dots and get a high score.  >How can I help to improve his appetite, emotions, quality of life? What worked for my appetite was, I many bowls of cereal and other healtful snacks that could sit about.  When I walked by one, I would stop by and eat some.  A little bit each time, but eventually I worked up to eating whole bowlfuls and meals.Also, I drank nutrional drinks like Ensure and Boost.  And, I liked cherry popsicles, so my friends scoured the aisles to find cherry.  And I think listening without judgement helped me a lot.  My friends would tell me don't think like that.  But I needed to get things off my chest and found a friend who would listen..  I think this time is harder on the caregiver than the patient, because you want to help and don't know how.  As someone who has been a caregiver, and now a patient, I knew people wanted to do something.  So I told people what to do, and I got it. I wanted to be showered with letters and cards.  I got tons.  And I got e-mails.  Then, I thought I haven't had a chance to see some people, so I wanted pictures.  I got tons.  So find out, if you can, what they want.  Try different things.  What worked for me, may not work for you. Especially the boyfriend part. And ask questions here.  I think this site offers a lot of help Cptmac Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT