Cancer Treatment Centers

deanna14
deanna14 Member Posts: 732
edited March 2014 in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Cancer Treatment Centers of Americas?

Comments

  • turtlebugs3
    turtlebugs3 Member Posts: 1
    #2
    CTCA
    Hi, I LOVE the CTCA! I was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer in December '01. It is a rare, hard to treat cancer and I had a very poor prognosis. I went to the "best" in Florida for treatment and spent almost 4 years going through wicked treatment. I had surgery 3 times in those 4 years and had the same chemo every 3 weeks. The chemo was carbo/taxol. I became very, very allergic to the chemo but instead of changing it they would admit me to the intensive care unit and administer it over 12 hours with a nurse at my side every minute. Finally, I decided to trust in another doctor, (since mine only liked to do surgery), and I went to the CTCA. My doctor is Dr. Williams. She is wonderful. Although I have never gone into remission she has kept my tumors from ever growing or spreading and the last time I went, (last month), they shrunk. First time ever. She has not done surgery explaining that I have a lot of "sesame seed" tumors so even if she removed the larger it would not eliminate chemo and then on top of that I would have a rough recovery from the surgery. Since I would still be on chemo she would only do surgery if my cancer grows. My other doctor would never have done that. She would have done surgery again and again. I also go a 2nd opinion at M.D. Anderson and I'm happy not to have gone to them. CTCA thinks outside the box. They are very aggressive in their treatment and very, very advanced in what they offer. I go there every 9 to 12 weeks and feel wonderful after wards. They have great success and they don't make you feel that your life is limited by time. I would tell anyone with cancer to go there. You will meet people there that were given only months to live and they went to the CTCA as a last resort and have done well for several years! I know that if it wasn't for them I would not be alive now. I just can't express how wonderful the doctors, staff and treatments offered are. My doctor prescribes my treatment and I get it at home. They have no problem with that. Of course, I guess it depends on the treatments you are getting as to whether you need to get them there or not. The one I go to is in Illinois. I would say that the first time I went they had me see a nutritionist, a holistic doctor, a psychiatrist and several other people like that. Had I known the arrangements I would have requested to see the doctor only. I was already close to 4 years into my diagnosis and feel I wasted time seeing everyone else. Well, anyway, it is the best by far.

    Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do. I haven't even read any of your posts since I just signed in and joined about a minute before seeing the post. I don't even know what type cancer you have. I just wanted to reply right away because I feel so strongly about them.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #3
    turtlebugs3 said:

    CTCA
    Hi, I LOVE the CTCA! I was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer in December '01. It is a rare, hard to treat cancer and I had a very poor prognosis. I went to the "best" in Florida for treatment and spent almost 4 years going through wicked treatment. I had surgery 3 times in those 4 years and had the same chemo every 3 weeks. The chemo was carbo/taxol. I became very, very allergic to the chemo but instead of changing it they would admit me to the intensive care unit and administer it over 12 hours with a nurse at my side every minute. Finally, I decided to trust in another doctor, (since mine only liked to do surgery), and I went to the CTCA. My doctor is Dr. Williams. She is wonderful. Although I have never gone into remission she has kept my tumors from ever growing or spreading and the last time I went, (last month), they shrunk. First time ever. She has not done surgery explaining that I have a lot of "sesame seed" tumors so even if she removed the larger it would not eliminate chemo and then on top of that I would have a rough recovery from the surgery. Since I would still be on chemo she would only do surgery if my cancer grows. My other doctor would never have done that. She would have done surgery again and again. I also go a 2nd opinion at M.D. Anderson and I'm happy not to have gone to them. CTCA thinks outside the box. They are very aggressive in their treatment and very, very advanced in what they offer. I go there every 9 to 12 weeks and feel wonderful after wards. They have great success and they don't make you feel that your life is limited by time. I would tell anyone with cancer to go there. You will meet people there that were given only months to live and they went to the CTCA as a last resort and have done well for several years! I know that if it wasn't for them I would not be alive now. I just can't express how wonderful the doctors, staff and treatments offered are. My doctor prescribes my treatment and I get it at home. They have no problem with that. Of course, I guess it depends on the treatments you are getting as to whether you need to get them there or not. The one I go to is in Illinois. I would say that the first time I went they had me see a nutritionist, a holistic doctor, a psychiatrist and several other people like that. Had I known the arrangements I would have requested to see the doctor only. I was already close to 4 years into my diagnosis and feel I wasted time seeing everyone else. Well, anyway, it is the best by far.

    Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do. I haven't even read any of your posts since I just signed in and joined about a minute before seeing the post. I don't even know what type cancer you have. I just wanted to reply right away because I feel so strongly about them.

    Thanks Turtlebugs
    Sorry I haven't responded earlier. I just found your response. After much debate, I ended up sticking with the cancer center in my area. The thought of having to travel and not have my husband with me during treatment made me stick with my current doctor. I will complete my prescribed treatment mid May. We are still discussing that possibility of going to CTCA in Illinois for a review of my case and a second opinion after I complete the treatment prescribed here. If at some point I have a reoccurence I will definately be going to CTCA.
    Thank you so much for responding to my post. I too have a rare cancer, or rather a rare form of uterine cancer called uterine papillary serous cancer. UPSC is sometimes found in the ovary and is more aggresive and recurrent like ovarian cancer. I am so close to being finished with treatment and I pray for no recurrence. I will continue to live each day to the fullest.
    God Bless you and watch over you in your journey.

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