AletheaD

AletheaD's Recent CancerCompass Activity

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  I wouldn't insist on a biopsy, as any cutting into the tumor could always break away cells to spread the cancer.  There is another test, I think it is an Ostriocide but invovles 3 steps in which a chemical is put into the body and lights up everywhere the cancer is. That's what my sister had done. She could not keep her appointment with Dr. Liu because she went into the hospital that morning to ER with internal...

  May 16 at 5:14 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  Yes, that would mean another surgery.  The whipple was a very difficult surgery to come back from but she was back to work and feeling pretty good until she had a rupture in her intestines.  That's when they found the new tumor on a CT scan.  Unlike the first one, this one is more aggressive and growing fast. Good Luck to you too.  I'll post after she sees Dr. Liu and what he recommends.

  May 01 at 11:51 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  My sister was given same diagnosis 6 weeks ago and given 5 to 6 wks to live.  The tumor has returned to wrap itself around major portal vein and arteries. Two years ago, when she was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine tumor, doctors said it was inoperable and being Islet Cell rare type, it didn't respond to chemo.  But we were able to get a surgeon, Dr. William Polk JR. in Nashville that was willing to do the w...

  May 01 at 10:29 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  My sister did Interferon, with a lovastatin drug and IBProfen, after having a whipple done for pancreatic cancer.  The first month of self injections wasn't bad but the side affects got progressively harder for her to handle since she just wanted to resume normal life.  She took them at night to lessen the side affects.  As soon as she had a clear CT Scan done, she quit the Interferon.  It's prett...

  April 12 at 7:08 PM view post

• AletheaD has created a new message board discussion

  I've posted here before when my sister was first diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine (Islet cell) 2 yrs ago in July.  She had the whipple done and has been on a long road to recovery.  She never did chemo but did take injections of Interferon and loveastatin for 6 months.  CT Scans were clear. Easter weekend, she started throwing up blood and went to the ER.  Turns out she had been b...

  April 12 at 5:17 PM view discussion

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  My heart aches for you.  I'm so sorry for your loss.  It feels like nothing will make you feel like you can breath again without feeling the pain but take one day at a time and eventually you will. I have to keep telling myself that I will see her again and she's always with me in spirit even though she is still here today. My sister has returning pancreatic cancer and the doctors say her time is sho...

  April 12 at 5:02 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  Karen, My sister has so much faith and trust in her surgeon, since he is the one that saved her life with surgery the last time that she just shrugs when I suggest another opinion. I will keep trying but like me, she is stubborn and loyal to a fault. Blessings to you.

  April 05 at 12:18 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  Claretea, I'm so sorry you lost your sister and so young too.  Not that age ever makes it easier.  Oh if life wasn't so tied to money, I would take her to Savannah, Georgia in the Spring.  It's what she's always wanted to do with her and I and a road trip.  But like everyone, you always think there is more time and so you put these things off. We are three hours drive apart and when you have to ...

  April 05 at 12:16 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  I agree that the FDA and money has had too much to do with treatments being kept off of the market.  I do not like the idea of Chemo at all, knowing it kills the immune system at the time you need it the most. She did try the neoplas treatment, which is the opposite of chemo. But this tumor involves the aorta and major arteries.  Removal is not an option, only shrinking it or killing it is the solution. ...

  April 04 at 7:05 PM view post

• AletheaD has replied to a post on the message board

  Thank you, Jarrine. I did call them the first time around and they only take private insured patients.  My sister is on Medicaid, or TN care it's called here in TN.  Unfortunately, many cancer patients will suffer from the 2% cuts the Dept. of health services has cut from their budget, making it harder to get chemo drugs. But the insurance issue has proved to be a stumbling block before. I'm glad you are...

  April 04 at 7:02 PM view post