Cancer Survivors Network

The kicker is they pride themselves on being able to "cure" he "uncurable" but after they looked at my husband's files they said "Nope, sorry we can't do anything for you" -- so we would have wasted 3 days there for the same answer

I don’t believe in the I am sorry go home and die thing, I was just about told this in 2006 when my NPC came back a third time and all they could do was to offer more Chemo. There are a lot of alternative cancer treatments the one I recommend most is the one I have been doing for 3 ½ years now. The cancer still shows up on the P.E.T. or what they are calling cancer but it is not growing, so that is good. Check out www.drsebi.com tell the lady you want to speak to Dr. Sebi when he calls you listen to what he tells you. I visited this guy in 2006 in Honduras when I was ready to die; I am still here today and have not done any other cancer treatments except this stuff from Dr Sebi. It might now work for everyone but you need to try, the stuff I am taking is called, Chelation 1 & Electro Cell. Take care God bless you both.

I read that you are taking alternative treatments, and I was interested right there, my dad is doing the same thing. So far his cancer hasn't gotten any worse. I am totally gonna go check out that website as well, sayin' thank you for sharing.

I couldn't refrain from this one, my cancer of the larnyx was missed by one genral doctor and a nose and throat doctor, i was went to the specialist, as he called him, biopsy, dye, MRI, 5 nose tube travels, I should have owned the dam machine, he went on for 2 monthhs after my family doctor didn't know what to do, he treated a snius infection.the last great idea was a plastic block to push against my vocal chords, we thought it was a detached vocal paraylisi on the L/S, WRONG, he couldn't fix the problem after going every route, instead of a second opinion or sending me somewhere else like a larger hospital in Nashville.5 months later, went to a specialist, and after a week recieved a call from the voice doctor i was needed back in surgery to remove the block of plastic, they had located a tumor on top of my vocals, which i saw on the wide screen t.v, i was totally freaking out, they had to surgerically remove the block from my throat, do another biopsy, and MRI, i was suffocating from the previous Doctors expensive adventure, Thats the day i found out my tumor was sitting on my adams apple and throat. Most of the Doctors tell me to let the anger go!!!!. I'm still waiting for my voice to return after Chemo and Radiation, and they still have hope, I've written here a few times, but i had to turn the story out of myself, after seeing people like you going threw the same thing. Good Luck to all, I'm not out of the woods. Dennis, I'm just don;t want this doctor to do what happened to me!....I have had some great Cancer Doctors

I had a consult done with the Mayo Clinic this January.
They did not need to see me, only my reports slides and scans. I am sorry you had to go through what you did.

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First off, money driven medicine is just that, money driven medicine. It has nothing to do with you except that they need sick people with money. I asked them for a second opinion after my oral cancer was removed and they told me they do not see patients unless they have active cancer.

I totally believe this is a factory. If someone wants to tell me how good they are I will agree they have to have some results to keep referrals. On the other hand anyone I have talked to who has had cancer chose to stay away from them and advised the same to me.

I cringe when I see those commercials. I change the channel every time. I think it is false hope with stage IV pancreatic cancer. my mother died
April of 2009, MD gave her 3 months, she died within 6 weeks. Her younger brother died in 2008 of pancreatic cancer also. I guess what I am trying to say is Peggy Kessler still alive and if so how. I would love to see that commercial off the air.

You are right people should not be giving false hope, sorry to hear about your lost my friend

I also cringe when ever I see Peggy Kessler on those commercials. I believe she was misdiagnosed by her first doctor and has been shilling for the cancer institutes ever since. It believe it is wrong for her to do this and give real cancer patients false hope.

When ever I see those commercials treating cancer like it's a common cold I want to throw up. I lost my dad when he was 37 to pancreatic cancer. My mom had breast cancer, my step dad colon cancer. Myself and my 2 sisters have had less serious bouts with cancer. I have a friend now who is just on pain management to make life livable with the few months she has left. I can't believe I even looked the place up on the internet knowing full well it was crap. She said she had a friend looking into it, and she said something about checking out her ins. She was told by her Dr. at Dana Farber that the only different treatment she would get there was a limo ride. Sadly I knew it to be true, he clearly is correct since I have just spent the better part of 3 hours reading the posts.

Cancer is a money maker, there is no incentive for a cure...I know this, yet I got reeled in. Desperate to help a friend. Perhaps when people stop walking, riding bikes etc. etc. that throw millions of dollars into research there will be a cure. Why would there be a cure? All these hospitals puff out of business...research puff out of business...they throw us bone now and again but that's it. People will give anything for a few more minutes of life, I would give up ten years of mine, for ten more minutes with my dad. This will be my one and only post...needed to vent a little.

Oh have you hit a nerve with me!!!!

My tumors were upgraded to brain cancer in 2005 and my husband and I contacted CTCA. I couldn't even get past the "gatekeeper" who was only interested in what type of insurance I have. When I told them that I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, we had the ability to pay the 20% up front and my husband's employer was self-insured and personally could guarantee the other 80%, they didn't care. They said that they couldn't help me and that my husband "should find another job with better insurance". They also said that when my husband had found another job, I should contact them again.

Fast forward to 2008. Same scenario. They were still only interested in the money from the insurance company. When I said that I had letters of guarantee from my husband's employer (well-known company) and the insurance company, they told me they couldn't help me.

There is nothing "kind" about these people when they are obviously in it for a profit. Profiting off of people at a time when they need assistance and guidance is just plain wrong.

My husband and I have since decided that even if we did have the "right" kind of insurance, we would not go to CTCA. We found great doctors in our area who are more than qualified to give me the best possible treatment available and they offer many if not all of the same "whole body" approaches that CTCA offers but without all the bs.

BTW, I have also noticed many of the same "actors" in different cancer commercials and it makes my blood boil that these people are trying to profit off of other people's illness.

I'm a real live person and am fighting cancer. I'm no actor. CTCA saved my life. I'm still fighting and going to continue. But in the mean time, they chose me for a commercial. I'm just like everyone else. They are just like everyone else, except with them, you're a person, not a patient.
If anyone has doubts, feel free to reach out to me.

I was very grateful to see your comment. We're leaving Tuesday afternoon to go to CTCA in Philadelphia. I have breast cancer metastases to bones all over my body from left shoulder to spine, to pelvis, to skull, to pelvis. We're at Winship Cancer Center at Emory in Atlanta, Georgia, and although they do chemo and radiation, great, they suck at the other half of the issue. I've developed a myriad of symptoms that they're not addressing and as I searched chat rooms for others with advice for what to do I ended up in the Cancer Treatment Centers chat room.

They were so loving and concerned, answering all our questions during an hour long phone call with my husband and I, but I'm terrified that they're really just selling a product, and we'll get there only to be charged thousands of dollars.

Can you help me by sharing your experience with me, and let me know, if you are willing how much you ended up having to pay that you weren't necessarily expecting.

Thank you so, so much. I look forward to hearing more of your story.

Sorry to hear about your loss, I have never used CTCA heard a lot about them but from reading your post it sounds like another money scam. How sad to prey upon people who are already hurting.

I am soo sorry to hear what they put Ur husband through. however, when you say Mayo are you referring to the Mayo clinics. i ask because i thought about reaching out to them cause my mom was just told she has Bile Duct Cancer.What type of cancer did Ur husband have.again i am so sorry what happened to ur husband they should be ashamed of themselves for that, but as everyone has said there in it 4-the money.may God bless you and remember God is here for you in you time of grief.

I am so sorry to hear what they put Ur husband through. however, when you say Mayo are you referring to the Mayo clinics. i ask because i thought about reaching out to them cause my mom was just told she has Bile Duct Cancer.What type of cancer did Ur husband have.again i am so sorry what happened to Ur husband they should be ashamed of themselves for that, but as everyone has said there in it 4-the money.may God bless you and remember God is here for you in you time of grief.

My sister just talked with them this week and they have given her hope! She believes they are sincere and is thinking of going to visit them. I don't know what else to do except tell her your story and a few of the others experience. Praying for the truth to come out before a path is taken that may kill my dear sister. Thank you for your story!

Crusincabin, hope things go well for you and your sis. Hope is a good thing - I would "hope" that CTCA is not the only place she's considering. IS she taking someone with her to visit the center?

We have had a great experience at the CTCA in Zion, IL. Our 20-year-old (at the time) son was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma March 2010, and has been in the care of Dr. Redei at CTCA since that time. Although there are some frustrations (i.e. we have to make sure we get his appointments scheduled, etc.), overall, we feel we have had a great experience there. We live in Michigan, where he is a college student. He could have easily had his chemo treatments in the city where he goes to school, but he preferred to go to Chicago every other weekend instead. He had chemo thru from August to November and was able to attend classes and come out with a 3.+ GPA for the semester. I realize that all chemo is not created equal, but I think that the availability of the nutritional and homeopathic consultations helped a lot with that. We also did RIFE therapy along with his chemo treatments. He did some chelation prior to chemo as well. Overall, we have been pleased and find the folks there to be very caring professionals. As far as the insurance/$ piece of it goes, we had nearly met our in-network out-of-pocket max for the year by the time he saw them. They are not participants with our insurance, but said they would bill us as if they were. Therefore, our bills were quite small.

Yes, they do have you go down for several days to meet with them and run tests. However, at least in Chicago, they reimburse us for mileage (or flights if needed) and have a just off campus hotel where we stayed for the entire first visit for about $75. Therefore, there was really no cost to us to check them out. They were willing to let us "try" non-traditional treatments as long as the PET scan didn't show an increase in his cancer cells, which we did for about 4 months. At that time, our son opted to go ahead with the chemo. He is on his way there for his 9 month post-chemo check up today.

I wish you the best on your journey. I realize others have posted negatives, but if we were faced with another cancer in our family, we would likely go back to CTCA again. Hope this is helpful to you.

This cancer thing is still new to me and my family, I guess it never really enters a persons thoughts until it strikes your friends or family. My father (who has worked very hard all his life and at the same place for the past 43years)was recently (Nov. 7th, 2011) diagnosed with a extremely rare cancer. I am writing this because I have spent the past 2 hours reading others stories and I really wanted to comment. My dad has been going to a semi-local (about 60 miles away) hospital for treatment, and although they wanted to start treatment right away... it seemed to be one thing after another (time was wasting away). My aunt contacted Cancer Treatment Centers of America and although still very new, here is my parents story to date: CTCA immediately requested that all of dads records be sent there, within days they flew mom and dad to Chicago, picked them up in a limo from the airport and placed them in a very nice motel room. They are currently there as their arrival was only 2 days ago. Treatment is to begin on Monday (in 2 more days!). I can only comment on their experience thus far, but I gotta say this.... Locally, the treatment was another 3 weeks away. I know and realize that treatment cannot be free. My dads (blue cross/blue shield) Insurance Im certain did NOT take care of the expenses like, the 2 person plane ride, the limo ride, the guide (that shows them every place they need to go). As of right now I have got to say that these people are truly amazing. They have not guaranteed anything, however they have definitely restored hope, and have made this time as comfortable as anyone possibly could have. Updates will follow, whether they are good or bad, but for now... I don't see me making any bad reports on CTCA. Mom n Dad have only spent $75 out of their pocket. They were spending 1/2 that amount just in gas (almost daily) to get the run around locally.

I am a cancer patient and I have been treated by the staff at CTCA in both Zion, Illinois and at Goodyear, Arizona. Yes, they are a for-profit institution. But that doesn't mean that any of the people who work for them are just there for money. From the very first phone call I made, I have been treated with respect, kindness and I have received total body care, not just for my cancer, through CTCA. They provided surgery for my bladder cancer, followup care for my ostomy, alternative care in meditation, massage therapy, nutrition, accupuncture, laughter therapy, vitamin and other natural supplements and more to maintain my health. Because I also have other medical problems that prohibits radiation or chemo, I have taken advantage fully of their naturopathic departments as well as their nutritional advice.

I had a local doctor and he did tell me after a brief exam "You have cancer" and walked out of the room. Later, after my biopsy to confirm his initial diagnosis, he told me that there wasn't much he could do except remove my bladder and then wait and see. I called CTCA and they gave me hope. They have paid to have my son and myself fly to Arizona and Illinois for treatment and followups. I have paid only $40 a night for hotel fees for my son's room and they provide free food for both my son and I while we were there. Can you find that anywhere in the United States? Room and board in a VERY NICE hotel for $40? They also have sponsored outings to cheer up patients, movie passes, financial help and someone to talk to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

CTCA is not perfect but the staff of the two centers I visited were the most caring people I've met in a medical setting.

Also, I am not rich but did have insurance from my husband's company. They made a deal with the insurance company to accept payment in full for what the insurance company paid out (50% to 80% on everything) and I have not had to pay 1 penny for any treatment. There is no share of cost to me. The only out of pocket money I have spent is on nutritional supplements and my son's hotel room. They have provided me with EVERYTHING else I needed. So let your sister decide what is best for her. I notice that most of the people who don't like the CTCA are those whose cancer treatment has not been successful. Don't blame CTCA. Blame the cancer. No one at CTCA ever promised me they could cure me. But they did give me hope and I am 2-1/2 years cancer free today.

I am sorry to hear of your experiences, but it does seem that its all about money driven by the insurance companies and this needs addressing. I live in the UK where we pay for our medicine monthly via pay cheques and people who are sick or unemployed get these contributions covered in case they are sick. No system is perfect, but I had all my treatment successfully, coming up for 5 years cancer free, without having to worry about finances on top of all the stress induced by having a cancer diagnosis. I am worried when people mention "alternative cures" as often these are often driven by money too. For instance Chelation is used remove (a heavy metal, such as lead or mercury) from the bloodstream by means of a chelate, such as EDTA and Electro Cell is used to realign cells. I would urge people to exercise extreme caution when deciding to used alternative medicines in place of conventional treatment, as in my humble opinion there are just too many quacks out there preying on vulnerable people. If there was an alternative cure for cancer, we would all know about it. I am a board member of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, which was the first cance hospital in the world and is still among the top 10 best cancer hospitals in the world, and if there was a cure I would have heard about it. Good luck to everyone and I am truly aghast at some of the practices that are being adopted in the quest for money.

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graci, I ABSOLUTELY agree with you. We have all donated BILLIONs of $ over the years and they still claim no cure, yeah right. It is all about the big bucks. In the meantime, we suffer. Like you said, this is just my opinion but I beleive it with all my heart.
God bless you,
debbie

While I don't ever suggest all alternaytive treatments are good or effective, there are many that have given very positive results and many people have been fortunate to have rid themselves of Cancer from such treatments. Conventional treatments bare the heavy burden of either being ineffective or leaving the patient in a poorly state or worse, and somethimes both - so one can't say conventional treatment 'IS' the only way. I in no way discount the many of us who have survived the trauma of such treatments, but it all should be kept in perspective.

It is pretty clear the 'Big Pharma' has a lot to explain for itself in this war - but alas, the silence is deafening....

I have posted an email from a friend here in China who was diagnosed with genetic blood disorder CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) the same time as me for SCC. His sister was diagnosed and treated earlier for exactly the same disease. After watching her life deteriorate, my friend chose to seek advice from a Dr. of TCM (Tradition Chinese Medicine). Not too long after he commenced treatment, he returned to the 'specialist' in HK who was dumbfounded by the leveling in his blood counts. He was sent home and asked not to come back for another check for several months as no treatment was needed. I have posted his email and story on my BLOG page if you are interested. There are thousands who have similar stories.

It is clear no cancer is identical and each individual responds differently to the various treatments, some with positive and other negative or with no results. I just wish the same amount of money was spent on the treatments and therapies that have shown promise in this fight.

Scambuster

After reading all your posts I am now very scared. I have been having my treatments at CTCA in Tulsa and for me everything seems to be going well but maybe they are just making me worse? After 2 different hospitals and 3 different doctors I went there and started treatment immediately. At the moment I am home until Aug. 2 when my scans will be repeated and I am hoping for good news. I admit I didn't like coming home with the PEG and Port since I already have a trache but knew this was the way to get my food source since at first I couldn't swallow. I sure hope I haven't made a mistake but for me Tulsa has been real well.

Debbie

As you know , my wife can neither have Chemo nor Radiation.
I wonder what TCM has to say about her condition and immune boosting.

We went once to a Homeopath Doc here , after her 2008 gastric pullup to see how we could rebuild energy. I remember how frustrated i became as the doc had never heard of Fanconi Anaemia. It was like back to trial and error which drove me nuts.

I think i gotto find the energy to check an alternate ave again, but ive found myself becomming so distrustful with everyone - on the background of politically correct gaming with conventional doctors egos.

and then changing doctors and systems etc is not as simple as it sounds, specially if cancer treatment has been so long term and ourdisposition rare. SO the very change is a risk in itself.

(BTW ,after 14 weeks of Erbitux treatment, she's decided to stop it for 3 months.)

ok - just streaming my thoughts
Clear.

I feel the same way. The pharmaceuticals are so well off, that anything that would "jepordize" THEIR financial health, should be quieted down. One would think that if there was thee cure for cancer we would know about it. But politics and the drug companies I also believe are the delay in the release of real cures or treatments.

K

I am currently a patient with CTCA in Tulsa. I have been going there since I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in Sept of 2008. I had surgery, radiation, and chemo. I am currently cancer free. I have had nothing but a wonderful experience with CTCA. From the first phone call I made to them until today! They made the process extremely easy. It was a leap of faith to decide to travel that far from home for my treatment but I am so thankful that I did. My whole team (oncologists, surgeons, natropathic medicine, nutritionist and now survivorship) is wonderful. Anytime I had questions or problems when I returned home from treatment I knew they were only a phone call away. Casemanagement was always quick to return my calls and if needed my oncologist would talk with me as well. I have met many of there management team as well as the founder of the hospital. They are all committed to fighting cancer and offering hope to cancer patients. To me that was the difference - they offered hope! They truly practice their moto day in and day out - care that never quits! I have been very impressed with the continued care I receive even though I am now cancer free! I still go every 3 months for check ups but in between time I communicate with my natropath and nutritionist on a regular basis. The patient always comes first there. I would not consider going anywhere else and would recommend them to anyone! Before deciding to contact them, I asked a friend who had gone there with both her sister and sister-in-law if CTCA was really as good as they made it seem in their commercials or if it was "just marketing". My friend said "they are that and more", "if I were in your shoes I would be on the phone with them right now". I stopped and called on the spot and I have never regetted it! I have also personally met several of the people in their commercials. They are real people who are patients at CTCA. They are not actors.

My husband went to Ann Arbor Michigan he had 7 weeks of treatment , They were great but his cancer came back so he wanted to go to a place closer to Home . It is a Cancer center in Southwest Mi, The first thing they did was say you have a co-pay, I though this strange but we seen the doctor only to find it was the wrong doctor, so we set another app. Went back again, We walked in , he told them his name and said I have appointment, The lady looked said You have a co-pay, This time I was not happy,When seeing the doctor he said well go to on a cruise enjoy yourself, you have maybe 6 months, then he aslked what did the other doctor say. My husband just looked and said I wanted to know what you would say. Before we left I told the Doctor about the way the co pay thing, He said Well soory but we are a bussiness. so much for that, We went back to Ann Arbor. I am so glad. They are caring people there. And we meet allot of good people there.

I called CTC (after watching their commercial) just to get information. I don't have cancer (crossing self), but my brother does. Called the 1-888-381-5645 number and got the RUDEST lady! The first - and I mean the FIRST - thing she asked was "What insurance does he have"? I'm trying to give diagnostic information, and she's all about insurance. She talked over me endlessly, saying there were (I'm quoting) "thousands and thousands of insurance companies, but we only accept a few, like Aetna and SOME Blue Cross policies, which allow treatments in different states." I asked about Kaiser, and she laughed, saying, "Kaiser? No way!" This company is all about making MONEY!! And those commercials where "Peggy" says that her Doctor walked into her room after surgery and said "You have cancer", and then turned around and walked away???? No way that happened!!! This company is just a money-maker!! The lady I spoke with was very rude, and tried to give ridiculous insurance "facts" This company is a scam! All they want is insurance and co-pay information. They could care less about anyone's "condition".

I'm sorry you have had a bad experience with CTCA. I have never had a single rude person through their facility. Even when I have broken down in tears or screamed in frustration, they have been kind, caring and calming. I admit I'm not always a quiet patient and I have found a lot of hospitals with staff who don't treat people as human but CTCA has not been one of them. I spent 7 weeks in hospital in Zion and have had followup care in Goodyear and I regard these people like family. I do want to tell you that I had a similar experience to Peggy. My doctor DID walk out right after telling me I had cancer and told me he would discuss it later with me, as I was the last patient of the night and he wanted to get home. He did my initial biopsy surgery and I was told after the biopsy to wait about 2-3 weeks for the results and a new consultation. I called CTCA and in 2 days I was at their facility with the results of the biopsy and people surrounding me giving me hope. I am 2-1/2 years cancer free now that I've had my surgery. My story is no miracle. They didn't cure my cancer. But they treated me with respect and caring while I went through the toughest time in my life and that is what I needed.

Survivor, I am also currently undergoing treatment at CTCA-Tulsa and from the beginning they have only treated me with utmost respect and have helped me and my family out. They pay for my travel and my room and board and also arrange and pay for my family to come out with me. I did not get this help anywhere else. Oh and by the way..i am starting my second round of treatment there again for two new tumors that have occured.

Debbie

How are you doing lady4darknight ?

Debbie,

I'm getting dizzy reading all these posts - awful reviews of CTCA - wonderful reviews of CTCA. Who/What am I to believe? Trust?

CTCA must really be evil if they need to post fake review like this one. you could at least throw in a spelling error to show the slightest mark of humanity.

when big bucks are involved it is silly to trust people. In canada we have it a little better, but the pharmacies still have the control everywhere. yay for western medicine. tho let us focus on the good but not forget the bad.

PatMiza,

Survivor 2010 sounds like a scripted commercial for CTCA! Please, please only post true experiences! Lives depend on it! Shame on you who are posting for CTCA falsely! Just remember that what goes around, comes around!

I want to let you know I am a real patient of CTCA and I do not work for them. I resent being called a liar. I've gone through the toughest 3 years of my life having found out I had bladder cancer 2 weeks after my mother died and they have supported me mentally, emotionally and physically. They have even arranged for me to get financial help through other charities - not for money for them but money for me to live on and help pay for my home expenses while I am having treatment. I am a human being, not a shill. I am also not a fan of the American medical profession in general. I have had more than my share of uncaring doctors, nurses and other staff over the years. I can't speak for anyone else's experience but CTCA was real for me. They were there when I needed them and have continued my care. I think the outcome of the cancer is the deciding factor whether or not someone likes CTCA in most of these letters. Hate the cancer, not the treatment facility.

I have bone mets from breast cancer, and we're leaving to go to CTCA in Philadelphia to see if they have any other options to stop the spread and the increasing bone pain. The thing is, I'm terrified that we'll end up with thousands in medical bills that we didn't see coming after reading all of the CTCA information sites. You've made me feel a little better. If you have time, could you contact me so I can ask a couple more questions?

Thank you so much!

Yes, they pay for travel, food, accomodations, pick you up @ airport in big white limo. But, what don't they tell you? I remember the first time my husband and I were there, I overhead some people that worked for CTCA, well you gotta to give them hope. Well you also have to know what is really going on!! There are things you have to take care of!! I still feel they are misleading patients.....................I questioned the chemo dr. @ CTCA about why they did not find the cancer @ base of skull 6 months before the local dr. detected it and she said: that is in the past: well what is in the past affects the future and my husband is dead now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY FEEL THEY MISSED SOMETHING!!

Very sorry for your loss, linphil52. I know it makes it more difficult to think that the outcome may have been different if the first set of docs had spotted the growing cancer earlier (my mom died after an "oops" at the hospital - a really good hospital).

CTCA is exactly as the patient on tv says it is. I have been a patient there for over three years and it certainly is NOT a scam.
Matter of fact, you can go to their website www.cancercenter.com and follow those patients. You can watch videos of them at their appointments and everything.

Its all true. The food is great too. Usually organic. CTCA rocks.

If you have to deal with cancer, may as well do it at CTCA.

Can you follow the patients that have not made it after having treatment there????

CTCA this young Man whoseemed to be doing so well has now passed away. I look at his video's and he had allhis Faith in CTCA and maybe they extended his life a bit but he died suddenly...he had gone back to College and seemed to be doing well. They say he passed away from a Stroke...

I am so sorry to hear that your dad is not well, remember the machine that the doctors use are just machines and the people who read them do make mistakes all the time. I am with you on CTCA as I have not heard much good about them.

My prayers are with you and your family.
Hondo

I am so sorry to hear about your dad's recent developments. It seems crazy to me that many many lesions could have just popped up in a month - I'm no medical pro, maybe it happens often, but I don't get it. It seems insane to me that your dad's symptoms didn't raise a red flag that would call for immediate tests instead of tests in five weeks. Sorry he was in pain - glad the pain got him to the hopsital where they did the MRI. Hoping for the best for you and yours.

Sounds similar to my now deceased husband's story with CTCA.

every person should be aware that you must do your own research. Every state and every insurance company has guidelines to follow. you may get better treatment in one state over another state.some insurance companys allow you to get treated in other countries.Dont depend on a doctor to cater to you and you only, they dont have the time. Every person is different. There are treatments that are natural that have worked. Get your health in good shape. Dont think that a doctor will take interest in you if you smoke 3 packs of cigs aday.I have seen people smoking with oxygen tubes in their nose and wonder why they cant breathe.If you want to live you have to fight and stop putting garbage into our systems.Get back to nature. Yes there are medical treatments from science that can help you but you have to put some time into it.

I went with my brother to CTCA from 11/1 to about 11/12/2010. He died less than 3 weeks later, on 12/1/2010. He died of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed on April 30th (I think it was) 2010. He spent May - Sept going through chemo and radiation, with Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt treated him like sushi. And when their playbook said that something outside their parameters has happened, they just through their hands up and said, well you're going to die. There was little compassion. His oncologist (a younger lady) was nothing more than a cancer manual. I honestly believe she had lower than average I.Q., but was smart enough to memorize things from a book. She was not smart, not compassionate, and was in no way going to think outside the box. When they reached the limit of what their playbook outlined, out the door he went ... they had plenty of other patients to cut on.

After he healed up from an attempt at a whipple with Vanderbilt, I joined him and went to CTCA. We drove there because he had clots in his legs and he was worried about the altitude causing them to move. CTCA treated him outstanding from day 1. He met other people battling cancer, we made a couple close friends while he was there. I honestly believe the doctors knew it was too late for him, but instead of saying it like that, they cared for his mindset, and did what they could to extend his life comfortably. They actually saved his life while there. His bile duct blocked. They found it and fixed it almost immediately. At Vanderbilt there would have been guessing and speculation, and "come back next week, and we'll do an x-ray." He would have died in a week.

Jaundice and a high bilirubin count prevented them from doing chemo while we were there. They said (to me) doing chemo at that time, they believed would shut down his liver. I believe they were right. They improved his liver, but I think it shut down on him anyway on about 11/28 or so. I took him home, and his bilirubin count came down predictably, and his legs started hurting less, and he started walking more. His legs made him bed-ridden because he had so many clots (DVTs) it was severe pain when he stood (from sept/mid).

His GI doctor at CTCA took him off cumadin (within like 2 days of him being there), saying it was doing nothing for the clots and put him on arixtra. Arixtra is WAY better then cumadin (WAY more expensive, and is why previous doctors never considered it). The Arixtra was the reason he got up and started walking again after returning home. His legs hurt far less. My brother was very athletic, ran and raced roadbikes (like Lance Armstrong), no tobacco use, 37 year old. No risk factors for cancer. But he developed it, and it took him down quick. It was / is very sad. And I'm still in a bad place with it.

I don't blame Vanderbilt, but I think they were a very poor choice. My brother was no more than a cancer tumor to them, for them to treat. Vanderbilt is like a cancer treatment assembly line. CTCA, while not being able to perform miracles for every patient, and maybe a low percentage, were a far cry betting for caring for my brother. In the end, it's God's Will. I trust in God's will that it was perfect. My brother had time to prepare, to make a Will, and tell his loved ones how much he loved them. Better than getting killed in a car wreck, and not having prepared at all. I guess that just an opinion though. It was horrible to see the cancer progress, and reduce him, like it did.

You folks that think medical companies and pharmaceutical companies hide cures ... well i think you're just plain wrong. You think everything is a conspiracy? My reasoning is that if any particular entity found a cure to cancer, they'd release the hell out of it, because they would make enough money to fill the oceans selling the cure.

I could go on and on. This pain is fresh. And it scares the hell out of me that it could happen to me. Let's just say I've got life insurance out the ying-yang for my wife and sons in case it does. In any case, for my life, it's God's Will, not mine. I will live and die as God see's fit, and I won't question it. But as I walked into work today, I asked God to take the pain I'm having from losing my brother away. To put me in a better place. Maybe God led me to finding this forum. Maybe it's a first step.

- JyRO

I completely agree with you about Vanderbilt my grandmother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer IV in May 2010 she passed away in Feb. 2011. She must of had this same female physician you are talking about,she was very rude, non compassionate,non professional. She could not even answer the questions my family were asking her for my grandmother. First Vanderbilt called and said it was Stage III had her scheduled for the Whipple and then she gets to her so called outpatient surgery pre-appointment she is called into this woman's office to be told there is nothing I can do for you. There is no hope the surgeon says it is stage IV.Now how would a surgeon who had never laid eyes on my grandmother know that? No further testing was done at that point except her biopsy which according to phone call came back as Stage III.A Pathologist reviews that not a surgeon. I could see that call being made if she had another CT-Scan before the scheduled surgery but she had not. That is terrible whoever that woman is should be reported to the Ethics Board at Vanderbilt. My grandmother was referred to an oncologist closer to home,this physician had the same demeanor as the one at Vanderbilt maybe a little worse, it took my grandmother a while(2 months) to get a port for the chemo, a few months later she was so jaundice,this physician did not even recognize s/s of metastases to liver. Every ct-scan she would tell my grandmother the tumor has not grown any. She was only treated for pain with Ultram for pain and told well, morphine is reserved for end of life treatment!What does a physician who gives a prognosis of a Stage IV cancer think that is? She was not asking for a morphine pump only something stronger than ultram which she never got until two weeks before her death at which time the same oncologist walked into the room and said it had metastased to her liver and had been there just like I had been saying all along!She said well this ascites(fluid accumulation in abdomen) from the liver was hiding this rather large tumor.My grandmother was only asking for lasix because the ascites caused chf(fluid around heart and lungs) made it difficult for her to breath the lasix helped her and is a comfort measure she was ever denied that.The hospital physician sat on the bed with my grandmother and scolded her saying I CANNOT HELP YOU DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT?THEN STATED I WOULD HAVE TO WAVE A WAND AND CREATE YOU A NEW LIVER THE LASIX WONT HELP YOU!!She has been fired since then for her behavior/ mistakes and liabilities.That physician did not know that my mother who sitting in the room was on the board at that hospital.My grandmother suffered Greatly through all of this and most of it could have been avoided if she would have had more competent physicians. I cried, begged and pleaded with her to try CTA but she said I am going to give it to the Lord and Let His will be done.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the bad experience. I was being treated locally-in Virginia, for Breast Cancer metasis to the liver. At first, I got better, under very aggressive treatment, but the doctor moved. I was getting worst under the new doctor. I was somewhat to blame because I requested a treatment with less side effects, but I was off total treatment for 3 months. Anyway, when I re-started treatment, it was different, which was good; but it was supposed to be for 3 weeks and a week off. However, because my white blood cell count would get too low, it was every other week. Neither doctor gave shots, after sitting and waiting all day, which had become very costly. This facility wanted the WBC to be very low, before being giving anything. Anyway, my pains had become more severe than when I was first diagnosed. I contacted CTCA in Philadelphia and took a train for the 3-day evaluation, Dec 2010. My mother and I, because she had ACC metasis to the lungs-primary site salivary glands, and no one was treating her. She was diagnosed in 2007, in which a size 8 cm tumor was removed. Radiation followed, but was told no chemo for ACC. My PET scan revealed my liver was mostly covered in cancer. It started with 2 tumors in liver and one in left axiliary area. Because, I was already on Gemzar, they continued; however, the difference is, they always gave me a shot for my WBC, even when it was in range. I never missed a week of chemo. I also take advantage of their mind and body services-Reiki Therapy, Message Therapy, and Acunputure. I have a Nutritionist, Naturopathic Doctor, two Nurses, and a wonderful Oncologist/Hematologist,who immediately took me off of Coumdin. My PET scans in February, 3 months later, showed a dramatic drop. My tumor markers went from 200 to 20, an 80% drop. The largest suv of 13 was suv of 4 in liver. The goal is to get it to 3, and then a Radiation Ablation will be performed. I'm back at two tumors in liver and none in Axiliary. I'm glad that CTCA is doing all the leg work in assigning everything to my insurance. In our benefits package, there's nothing about covered travel, plane tickets, room & board, etc. CTCA knew this, but we did not. My husband was paying $312/mth after retirement, now $384! So, why wouldn't I want them to soak my insurance company, they're soaking us. CTCA IS DOING THE WORK THAT I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT. ALL I DO IS FOCUS ON MY HEALING, WHICH TOOK PLACE OVER 2000 YEARS AGO. I JUST HAVE TO GET MY FAITH TO LINE UP WITH GOD'S WORD! THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING! But, I have nothing but good things to say about this place. I guess every CTCA facility is different, but I definitely believe it's important that these legitimate complaints be brought to their attention. After all, they have a reputation to protect.

I am currently a patient at CTCA in Zion Illinoise and have been for more than three years. I have been treated at Vanderbilt and MD Anderson as well (prior to CTCA)
I am absolutely amazed at what am reading.
As a patient of CTCA (who incidently doesnt have a ton of resources and has medicare for insurance) I have had only wonderful experiences and results.
Perhaps there needs to be some clarification:
1. CTCA is not a "money grubby facility that plays on fears of humanity". If you have ever been to CTCA, you would know that. In fact, they go out of their way to make the incidentals like hotel and food very inexpensice and sometimes even free. The pick you up at the airport and drop youoff. They go out of their way to make things as affordable and convienant for the patient as possible.
2. Yes the verify your insurance. So does everyone else. Yes you may have a copay...but that depends on your insurance. CTCA tells you up front what that will be so you dont get bombarded with a bill you cant afford. Cancer isnt cheap as anyone on the post well knows. But guess what?? CTCA actually has a a financial assistance program that can help in that area if needed. I have always been able to make payments to CTCA.

3.You are not charged for the nutritionist or anything holistic. That is for your benefit because the fact is that there are things that can help you fight cancer besides just drugs. All they are doing is giving you as many tools as you are willing to accept. And YES YOU DO see an oncologist on your first visit.

4. Hotel is 40 bucks a night and they get you there from the airport and have shuttles to take you to your appointments. In addition, they have an activities calendar with trips to the local mall and sometimes even to the theatre for a live production. Oh, guess what? They pay for that too and take you and pick you up.

5. After youve been there awhile, you get to know the employees and the stories behind each of them. Almost all of them have known someone with cancer and truly enjoy there job. You may have a few that are the exception but thats the way it is with everything.

6. Most oncologist at CTCA deal with a specific cancer. In small towns and sometimes even not small towns the oncologist you see treats everything from throat cancer to colon cancer. I quite prefer specialized treatment.

7. Regarding the commercials and thefeeling of "hope"...good grief...do you want to be told you are dying in 6 months or that there is hope?? What is "false hope"...Of course CTCA isnt claiming to cure cancer. They are simply saying they will work with you to make your situation the best it can be. Positive thinking goes a long way in cancer treatment. And thats a scientific fact.

Please try not to be so cynical. Some things in life are good. Not everyone is out to screw you over.

Dr Citrin at CTCA...you rock!! Thanks for almost four years of excellent treatment, smiles, tears, and friendship.

I still stand behind what I have said, maybe they give you hope, but there comes a time when they should tell you there is nothing more they can do. Please don't have a patient coming back for more chemo and radiation if there is nothing more that they can do, please let that patient die with some dignity!!!!!!

I've seen this thread for some time, but have not posted til now. An above Post gives me cause to- she had two tumors appear while in treatment, and that does open the door to the possible limited options of a place like CTCA, as compared to a major medical center which has top ENT Drs. and the latest surgical capabilities. If surgery is a best-case solution for a Patient, does the CTCA take care of that, or focus primarily on just treating with a C&R program? Head and Neck C is not Lymphoma, Breast, or any other type of C. Many other types of C don't have surgery as a key part of treatment- especially the highly-specialized ENT surgeries that involve robotic, or the 15-hour Ops. that H&N does. If only being treated with C&R, and a "healing program" to go with it- such as that is one of limited capabilities. Yes, nobody wants the major surgical route to happen, but if such as that is called-for, then such as that should be the option taken, and a top ENT Dr. is the best bet for knowing if that's the road to take, rather than to take a road that's the best road based on the limited C&R option.

My Sister, who died of Lung C just 4-months after being diagnosed, had heard of the CTCA in Zion. She worked with the government, and had been told of a former co-worker who had been told in the Quad Cities that there was nothing that could be done for him and his C. He went to the CTCA, and was helped BIGTIME, and may still be alive. His C was not Lung, and not H&N, though. This, of course, I have no way of verifying, other than it is what my Sister had told me. She made inquiries with calls to Zion, and told me she was put-off by those calls. Said that the people she talked to only seemed to care about the money angle of it, even though that was going to be covered by the insurance she had.

So, did I do research into Zion before and during my early-09 treatment? Yes, and I could find nothing in the CTCA info I got that says they are the ones to go to for H&N. Nothing. Other types of C, yes- but not H&N. And that's bottom-line, people, because we have H&N. If you are in Chicagoland with H&N, where Zion is, you go to Northwestern, the U of Chicago, or Rush- not the CTCA. Or, you make the drive to the #4-ranked H&N center in the USA, which is the U of Iowa in Iowa City. Or even Mayo's in Minnesota- not the CTCA in Zion, which is not equipped to deal with where H&N may take one.

FYI

kcass

ctca is privately owned. The owner is the chairman of a pag political action group comprised of big money and corps. , opposed to any and all kinds of any public health acts, mostly the kind Obama wants. They will quote the free market, apple pie and God, in order to protect their profits. Nothing about you or your quality of life

I for one do not expect free medical care. I pay my way and have always paid my way. I believe that when provided with a service (of any sort) the provider should be paid.

My complaint is that I couldn't even get past the gatekeeper on the phone who was ONLY interested in the type of insurance I had. They wouldn't even look at Medicare or the letters of assurance from my husband's company who had it in writing from their legal department that they would cover 80% of the cost, Medicare would help and we offered to pay our 20% up front just for the consultation (however many days that would be).

They still weren't interested. All they could repeat (obviously from a scripted text) was that my husband 'should find a new job with insurance CTCA would accept'. There was no compassion, no caring, no empathy whatsover.

I have since discovered that I am not the only one this has happened to. Others have said the exact same thing. And yet, I am made to feel that there is something wrong with me or that I am trying to get "free" medical care. I can assure you, I am not. We offered to write them a blank check and they still weren't interested.

No....CTCA spoke loud and clear as to who and what they really are. And it wasn't the caring place everyone makes them out to be.

People do not choose the medical profession to make money. It is a profession that takes a lot of intelligence and dedication. Guess what Medical School isn't easy or cheap. Looking at my Insurance statements I am amazed how little of the actual bill is paid by the insurance company because they have a contract with the hospital and or Doctors. Not to mention the amount owed to Doctors and hospitals by the Goverment. No I don't like spending money on things that are not fun. Having Cancer is not a lot of fun. However, I know my Doctors are trying to save my life. Not every decision a Doctor makes is the correct one. Guess what-medicine is not an exact science. If you are not satisfied with a doctor move on. It irritates me when people have to blame someone for "Life." Everyone dies. I am from the Chicago area also. Dr. Dawg, I hope your practice grows (with of course all your patients surving) and things get financially easier for you. I am in awe of doctors.

It isn't that we all want free care, we know that care costs money. However, the cost of medical care has gone far beyond, most of our, ability to pay...In Japan, an MRI costs 35 dollars...How much is an MRI in the states? The cost of getting prescriptions filled often leave people without the ability to eat regularly. The fact that, many that don't have medical care available to them, is unacceptable, in a country that has so much wealth...Our Medical system seems like our Military, buying the most sophisticated weapons available, with money going out to the benefit of a few large corporations...Real wages haven't have stayed the same over the last 10 years, and medical care costs increase yearly...

What about a basic level of care for all? What about treating people with dignity and respect, instead of sending them on their way, because they don't have the money to pay.
We fall woefully short in healthcare coverage for the average person due to our focus on Cure, rather than prevention...If I had, had regular doctor's visits, maybe they would have discovered my cancer before it was full blown...What about bringing healthcare to all of the people of the world...

I know too many doctors to think that, all they care about is money. I look at the anecdotes about somebody's husband, whose brother's, best friends, cousins, sister, was miraculously cured, by eating grapefruit as great stories...But highly doubtful. I have had five relatives in my family die of cancer and know the things they tried...I believe that if eating some fruit or vegetable really worked on the preponderance of cases, everyone would be selling it. I don't blame the doctors, I blame the society for not getting together and giving us a Healthcare system that covers everyone and treats everyone as an equal.

According to the logo on the top left, this is an American Cancer Society website and not a CTCA website. It just so happens that more participants support the CTCA than do not.

Kindly remember that this IS a website run by the American Cancer Society and we ALL are entitled to our opinions. Many of us have had nothing but bad experiences with CTCA while many others have had nothing but good experiences with CTCA. It doesn't mean that one side or the other is wrong. It simply means that we all have our own experiences and our own opinions.

Best Regards,

Teresa

Whoever wrote the post by "Survivor 2010" they certainly have excellent writing skills. For example many people would use "are" rather than "is" in the following sentence:

"My whole team (oncologists, surgeons, natropathic medicine, nutritionist and now survivorship) is wonderful."

But the correct tense is "is" not "are". That is "team is wonderful" is correct while
"team are wonderful" is not.

I have to admit that when I read the post I wondered if the person who wrote the post is a journalist or an English teacher, etc. In that way I have to agree that the post "reads like a commercial".

You can contact me anytime of day about fake comments or CTCA. They have saved my life and are filming a tv commercial about me.

Think of it this way sir, how many people with cancer are reading what you wrote and too afraid to go to CTCA now...And sadly they may die. I feel badly for you..

Everyone is invited to share opinions on this, even you. And to state that people will die if they don't go to CTCA is, well, perhaps a little overdone. Chill out and tell us your story. That will establish your point better than just jumping on this with both feet.

Regards

'm not trying to offend or upset anyone. And if you look at the bottom of my page, I have wrote some of my story. And I started it off by saying that everyone IS entitled to their opinions. What I'm upset and offended about is the person that wrote about CTCA and supposedly fake comments. That is why I was upset.

The point I was trying to make and is how many people are reading what he is saying and thinking could that be true? How sad would that be? You're a long term survivor. You "get it". Here is the problem, and it goes far greater than this message board. But, how many people are being told at MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic that there is nothing that they can do?
That they should basically just go home and die? I was told the same thing from MD Anderson. Then after that the CTCA said, well we want to try. And they saved my life. That's the point of all of this. What it comes down to is beating cancer or learning to manage cancer etc. Doing whatever is possible to give you the greatest chances of living a quality of life. That's the point in all this.

CTCA believes in not curing cancer, but conquering cancer. I'm 33 years young, and still fighting. But, my story is so unusual, they have chose me for a TV commercial.

That is why I'm offended at comments like that. I want to see everyone beat cancer. I want to save lives. That is my goal. I did it as a paramedic, and now as a representative of a cancer fighter. Don't get me wrong, all of the hospitals I listed, THEY ALL DO GREAT THINGS. They really do. But, you have to fit into their criteria to be treated.

Please, feel free to contact me, anyone. I'm more than happy to talk about my current battles and offer advice to anyone.

I am so sorry to hear about your mother.

I would get a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th opinion from other doctors/specialists if you have not already done so. Not only would you validate what is going on, you would also know whether or not the doctors/specialists missed anything as well. You would also be broadening your mother's scope of treatments, procedures, etc. that the other doctors/specialists may know about but your current doctor/specialist does not.

I will keep your mother in my prayers.

Best Regards,
Teresa

My sympathies to your mother and family for the recent diagnosis.

I have a few comments about the TV commercials CTCA uses to promote itself. While they promote their physicians as being competent and compassionate, they shine a rather negative light on the rest of their medical colleagues as heartless people who do not know what they are doing. Even CTCA's staff physicians would agree that there are thousands of dedicated, competent, and compassionate non-CTCA oncologists out there. Most oncologists I know strive to, and do succeed in, providing the best care available for their patients, both physically and emotionally. Unfortunately, often, the best care available do not always lead to a cure. However, most oncologists I work with do research the available data from clinical trials from around the world, as well as taking into account each individual patient's medical history and condition, before carefully formulating the treatment plans. Yes, there are a few bad apples in every barrel, but those are exceptions rather than the rules.

If an institution is truely as great as CTCA claims to be, there is no reason for it to put down the rest of medical profession to raise itself up. To me, this raises a huge red flag. I cannot ever recall hearing an advertisement from MD Anderson, Mayo, Mass General, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers where former patients give testimonies stating how awfully they were treated by other doctors before going there, and now they are cured of all sorts of terminal diseases. Can anyone?

I haven't heard of other facilities claiming the same thing either. We have excellent facilities here in Philadelphia, some rivaling CTCA with their "Whole patient, mind, and body approach" but they don't lift themselves up by putting other facilities down. Instead, they talk about the technology they offer and how they use it to help those who need it. They talk about their departments as individualized, specialized departments that have helped out many people in the tri-state area (and beyond).

I would have to say that I agree with you Bilbo. I never thought of it that way but you are correct. And I for one, know that is the exact opposite of what we taught our children and what we were taught as children. Only bullies put others down to make themselves look better.

Teresa

Joesh. I believe you so eloquently hit the nail on the head.

"I'm a professional writer and have done a lot of work in marketing."

Me too...and you're right on target, joesh.
Janine

The CTCA saved my life! I was being treated locally at a cancer center for Stage 4, large cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma, diagnosed in Oct. 2009 & was not doing well at all. My wife, in desperation, went online in December & found the CTCA (It was before they advertised heavily on TV). The Oncology Information Specialist - Martin Marks - was just wonderful. Yes, they had to verify my insurance, which took only a few hours, but people must understand that it takes $$$ to run such facilities and to attract excellent personnel. They would be out of business if they provided free medical care. Such is life in the 21st century.

They took care of all my travel arrangements. I had to go to Chicago for treatment (actually Zion, IL, outside of Chicago) because the hospital the patient is assigned to is determined by the type of cancer he or she has. My oncologist is the head of the Stem Cell Transplant Unit & is caring & brilliant. I received stem cells & chemotherapy. It took several hours for my chemo to be mixed, as they tailor it to the patient.

I went there for another Petscan in May & was found to be still cancer free. I will return in Nov. for another Petscan. I have met many, many other patients there that are doing well. One of our neighbors was told locally that the hereditary liver cancer she had was not responding to treatment & she had about three months to live. She gave away all of her jewelry & had a going away party for herself. My wife convinced her to call the CTCA. She went to Philadelphia, as that is where liver cancer is treated. The three months passed fifteen months ago & she is living a quality life.

I am neither a professional writer nor a paid endorser. I will also provide you with my e-mail address to enhance your belief in my veracity and to answer any questions you may have: Doowop1956@yahoo.com.

I'm a cancer patient who was told to "go home and die" My doctor told me I had inoperable colon cancer in May of this year. I wasn't sold on CTCA. I read all the crap on these blogs. I made the call to them. It was the best call I've ever made. They paid for me and my hubby to come to Philidelphia. They paid for the hotel. They paid for all our meals. They also showed us in three days that they are here for both of us and we don't have to be alone. I don't know if I'll live or die, but, I won't have died with people who don't care and aren't trying. Show me a Cancer Center that isn't based on some sort of money. They all have to survive. I'm blessed as my insurance is totally covering my treatments here. Oh and they aren't afraid to attempt the operation on the inoperable cancer! I ran out of money here and could't afford the hotel beyond the time allotted. CTCA took care of it. I owe nothing. Do to conditions beyond my control I found myself broke and unable to get home after the surgery. CTCA has totally taken care of that also. Do you know of any other facility that gives a durn if people get home or not? Eat or not? Live or not? My doctor asked me, "do you want to just die, or would you like to die fighting?" I chose fighting. My doctor back home ran away from me and he is supposed to be the best. I don't wish what I'm going through on anyone but, until you are in my shoes or someone like me don't judge CTCA. They are showing me how to live life to the fullest each and every day and I'm not doing it alone! CTCA at no time claimed they could cure me. They simply claim, I won't be going it alone! I don't know of too many other clinics that do that for their patients. If I don't make it CTCA has not once said that my loved ones left behind are responsible for paying for my care. That is some crap that you have come up with. Show me the bill? I'll show you who to call at CTCA. Oh and CTCA is sending me and my other half to another appointment I have tomorrow, off property, in a stretch limo. Kinda cool as I'm broke and they are totally picking up the tab. They care about people first. They changed my attitude.

I'm heading to Philadelphia in 2 weeks for my three day stay, and now more than ever, I'm looking forward to the trip.

You are one of the lucky ones. I know what I was told by CTCA, not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions. That my husband should leave his good paying job at a well-known company in the greater Philadelphia tri-state area and get another job with INSURANCE THEY WOULD ACCEPT. After the usual banter of "how sorry they were to hear about my brain cancer" they kept focusing on my ability to pay. We have insurance, Medicare, cash in the bank and my husband's company providing a letter of guarantee from their H.R. Department AND their legal department stating they would cover everything else, CTCA still wasn't interested. They also told us (and this is the heartbreaking part) "as you have already had surgery and radiation for your condition, we won't be able to help you". So now, not only was my insurance not acceptable, but I wasn't either because I had already had medical intervention.

I don't lie and I don't make things up. Life is too short for that. I know what both my husband and I were told on 3 separate occasions by CTCA. And before you launch into a rendition of "well they deserve to be paid", we HAVE the ability to pay them and they still aren't interested.

I am very happy that you had a positive experience with CTCA for your medical needs. But that still doesn't change the fact that they have this attitude with many of the people that call them. The only reason I post the comments about CTCA is to let people know that there are 2 sides to the story and it isn't as rosy as they make it out to be on their commercials with their actors.

I have posted my experience as have some other people who legitimately want to help. My experience was negative while others have had nothing but positive experiences.

I commend you for wanting to ensure that your sister gets the best possible treatment available to her. I don't think that anyone would fault you for that.

Good luck!

Exactly! I wish this thread would just disappear. I think it's full of mostly fabricated posts that are only to promote one side or the other. I have been to CTCA, but have never shared my opinion here, because I just think this thread is full of cr@p posts.

So why do you keep reading and posting. You've posted 2297 times.

Yes, I have posted that many times to this board, (only a few times to this thread) because I stay here to help people who are going through one of the worst times in their lives, and I try and make the transition easier than mine was. Because I have been around a fair bit, my BS detector is pretty fine tuned and I, as have others, noted that some of these posts just don't ring true. They do not seem to be authentic experiences, rather they seem to be posts trying to either trash, or support CTCA. I wish that this thread would be about authentic experiences and not be used as a marketing tool. I have been to CTCA, though I was not treated there. I do not have anything negative to say about it, and I would gladly share my experience with any head and neck cancer or fanconi anemia patient via private message.

It is my true wish to come here every day to help and support others going through cancer. So yes, it bothers me to think that while I share my experiences openly and honestly, and hopefully to help the greater good, there are others that come here only to post some 'story' to push their agenda one way or another. I find it offensive. Just my opinion.

My last words on this subject and on this thread. I believe my point has been made, and I do not wish to spar with anyone. It's a waste of my precious energy.

Hi Sweetblood22: I hope I did not offend you, but I don't understand how anyone dealing with cancer first hand could have energy left to help others. I have been dealing with cancer for 4 years and dealing with anything beyond the scope of my little world almost feels intrusive on my part. Yes it's nice to have a chat line to go to to find new resources, but you appear to be going above and beyond, no offense. I take my hat off to you if you have so much to give. Personally I have been close enough to death to realize that life is short and I have a finite amount of time here. I am going to grab all the good stuff in life that I can and maybe I seem a little selfish with my time here but that is just the way I feel. My family is very important to me, but my priorities are so much different than they used to be. You appear to be super human with your time. I commend your effort.
I only hope that my trip to CTCA is a positive experience. That is kind of what I was looking for. Reading some of these entries has taken away some of my hope in away. I always try to stay positive but informed. That is why I got involved with this in the first place. My sister-in-law called and suggested I read the cons along with the pros.
God bless you with your journey. Thank you for the heads up.

I have just been close to death enough to know, that it is truly, only in giving that we receive.

I agree with you it is by giving that we receive and that is why we have so many post because we love giving and helping people who are in need, that’s what makes you a superwoman.

Hondo

I really, really would like for you to be wrong, John. But . . .

I'm also an employee. I would not send my arch enemy to this place. The commercials are only 1/2 of it. Those are fortunate people who happened to have enough money or enough insurance to come here. it is ALL and ONLY about profit. I don't care any bit about how 'nice' they treat you at the hospital, the amount of people they mis-treat on the front end and on the phone is astounding. The 'Oncology information specialist' you speak to is a call center salesman. They aren't nurses, or pharmacists, they come from the mortgage world, outside sales, advertising sales. The advertising of 'call about your treatment options' you'd be better off talking to a vet-tech, because we have ZERO medical background. They have social media people in charge of writing on blogs with the 'message' but it really is a shame how poorly they treat people. Go to MD Anderson, Sloan, any NCI rated cancer center, which CTCA is not. You'll have access to the same treatments AND have the potential of exploring clinical trials.

Let me get this straight. You are are an employee? If your story is true, and you are working for a company that does all the things you say they do, then how do YOU sleep at night? Are you then one of the "we" that have "zero medical background"? One of the sales people that get 'customers'? Just wondering if what you claim is true, then why would you work there? If I thought for one minute that the organization I was working for was treating people the way you say they do, I would never work there. I would quit my job and starve rather than work for what you describe. But that's just me, because I have a conscience.

Once again this post reeks of BS. Yes, I think CTCA, like every cancer treatment center and hospital, it has patients that have had good and patients that have had bad experiences. My brother was treated at Sloan Kettering and I won't even get into the hell they put my family through because my brother had no insurance and needed a bone marrow transplant. It's all health care systems that have issues.

but i have two kids to feed, and can't just 'quit my job'. My conscience of not feeding my kids is harder to swallow than working for a company that is morally obtuse. In a perfect world when I interview for a company they tell me things that are honest. In this world, that's not the case and decisions are based off of it, for better or worse. Perhaps one day i'll be able to just up and leave and not have to worry about lodging for my children, and food and books, but until then, I get to swallow my pride, answer the phone and do as best as I can with what i'm dealt.

I am also a past employee of CTCA in the sales department...and unfortunately all that "CancerSux" is 100% true. I had to leave the position bc it was far too emotionally and morally compromising. We were held to very aggressive quotas and the only way to meet them was often to make promises to patients and truly "sell hope". We were compensated on the number of patients who were brought to the hospital AND received treatment.

I had broken many hearts of patients whose insurance was sub-par, not to mention all the callers I had to flat out reject because they had an HMO or Medicare. It was an awful feeling to "sell" the hospital to a patient only to call them the next day and tell them "sorry you're insurance isn't good enough." It's cruel to do to anyone...especially someone fighting for their life.

CTCA is good hospital...I have no doubt. Are they BETTER than MD ANderson or Sloan? No! They do have good technology, but no clinical trials. If you are living in a rural area with one general community hospital and have GREAT insurance, by all means, give them a call. But don't put all of your eggs in one basket...have a back up plan when you call. If you have access to specialty hospitals or university hospitals , then you are just as well taken care of there, and possibly have more options if they do clinical trials.

If you are lucky enough to get "accepted" to the hospital, yes, you will feel like royalty bc everyone is very "nice". But it takes a lot to get to that point. There is alot of "not nice-ness" on the front end....ALOT. And yes, as the previous poster shared, the people that answer the phone are NOT medical personnel. They are not nurses, counselors, social workers etc... CTCA is not the end all be all. It doesn't mean you are going to die if you don't "get in". The marketing campaigns are very compelling, but remember all hospitals have their success stories, there just aren't commercials on every 5 minutes about them. The commercials do have a bit of a "brainwashing" effect and hone into the desperation of a cancer patient.

I wish all of you fighting this horrible disease many years of health and happiness. I am going through this with a family member myself and I know how hard it is. God Bless you all.

I thank you for your comments and personal conviction about CTCA and believe me if you don’t have good insurance none of them will look at you. I go to MD Anderson and a lot of times they do test that I know I don’t need, like doing a PET and MRI on the same day and the cost a little over 10G. When I get the results the Dr never looks at the MRI just reads the PET report and says I will see you again in 6 months and we will do it all over again. But if I had cancer again MD Anderson is the place to be, so there is always good and bad with all hospital we just need to focus on the good parts.

PS: Welcome to CSN
Hondo

My name is Buddy Spurck. I live in Lee's Summit, MO and my gmail is buddy.spurck@gmail.com.
My father has liver cancer, he had surgery in November (for Colon, they found the liver spots then) of 09 and started chemo on Dec. 29. Oncologist was great but in Feb of this year he removed his port and told him that he had done all he could. Again, he is and was a very good Doctor. If there are no other options, then O.K. but my Dad still has fight in him and I selfishly want my 8 and 6 year old boys to know and remeber their grandpa. I called CTCA in Tulsa after talking w/ several friends and family members. Now I have to decide if I want to try and sell my Dad on trying it (he's old school in that he doesn't like to talk about his illness or he doesn't want his children to worry about him).
My experience with K. Bauer the lady I talked with from CTCA Tulsa was honest, in my opinion. She asked questions and I answered to the best of my ability. She didn't try the hard sell she just talked about the services they offered. I didn't come away from my conversation thinking that this place was 100% going to cure my dad, but I did feel better. I felt a least like he may have a fighting chance. Am I wrong? Please feel free to email me directly or respond below. My Dad is seeing a Nutritunalist right now, it's not going well.

I don’t know much about CTCA as I go to MD Anderson and the Mayo clinic. I can’t believe your doc just pulled the plug like that and told your dad its over. I agree with you its not over as long as he is alive and fighting. I hope you get the help you need. Also welcome to the family here on CSN I hope you post more on how your Dad is doing.

Take care my friend
Hondo

for validating what I've been saying all along. I was one of those people who was told that my husband's insurance wasn't good enough. We have a PPO. Which means that the insurance company would only pay a certain percentage and we would be liable for the rest. We also had letters of intent from my husband's employer (H.R. and Legal Dept) guaranteeing that they would foot the rest of the bill, and our own ability to pay some of the bill. I was still turned away because our insurance "wasn't good enough".

I only mention this experience when someone asks me about what I know about CTCA (I always sincerely wish them luck with CTCA and their journey) because I have been accused of not wanting to pay my way or to pay the doctors. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I always pay my bills on time and I always pay for the services I am rendered.

I am sorry that you are not left with many options while working for this company. In a perfect world......well....there will be no cancer.

I have been treated at CTCA. It didn't cost me a thing out of pocket. I had decent insurance. I went to MD Anderson. I met with the rudest MD I have ever met. He told me that chemo and radiation would not work and sent me home to die. After that, I went to CTCA. They did radiation and it saved my life. In fact, one of the MD executives who works for CTCA, came from MD Anderson. He was frustrated with their protocols and knew this wasn't how to treat patients. I'm know for a fact they do good things there. But you have to fit into their criteria.
I also worked as a paramedic for 8 years. I know the system. You can call me at anytime.

I do agree with you, cancer does suck.

Sorry to hear this about your friend, there are a lot of people out there just waiting to take your money and run. It is a same that they lurk around and take advantage of people with cancer.

PS: Welcome to the family here on CSN

Wishing you the best
Hondo

My mom was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. I saw peggy kesslers commercial and called them. They mailed me a DVD about them. It was just to good to be true, and I new it. My mom died shortly after the DVD packet came. That is when the phone calls started. Did I get the info packet ? What did I think ? I told them my mother had passed. 4 days later, another call. Did I get the info packet ? Yes my mom died so please stop calling. Two weeks later, follow up call...did I get a chance to review the info they sent me ? At this time I just started crying, and told them to please stop calling me. Three months after my mom died they called me and asked me about my mothers progress. Then I lost it and went off. I told them I had documented every call and every call time. I told them to put me on their do not call list and I was going to sue them for harassing me after my mommy died. This is how they treat people never even seen or admitted. Very careless ! How will they treat you when your life is on the line. What will they put your family through after you pass ?

I am sorry to hear about your Mom passing away, I know the feeling as I lost my Mom to colon cancer many years ago.

Sometime places like CTCA, MDA, Mayo and many others don’t up-date there computers database with the same information all at the same time, and then you get these nagging phone calls and you just want them all to stop.

God bless and be with you and your family
Hondo

I am very glad you got the help you needed and that CTCA had a good follow up with you. Like everything in our world there are two sides to every story.

Thanks and Welcome to CSN.
Hondo

I am an oncology RN - for the last fifteen years. May I say those of us who do our best caring for cancer patients are amazed. Amazed at the vitriol toward CTCA. They want insurance info upon admission? Folks, nothing is free. I have worked at MD Anderson and we are not free. Folks get furious at that but it's true. The insurance companies also do not provide a free service. Just because these goofy politicians have made insurance companies the devil, remember those places EMPLOY good people just like you. If Peggy Kessler found hope and healing - why should she not tell her story? They do not say they can cure EVERY cancer. I have seen others beat pancreatic CA - some with prayer, natural diet. Some with traditional modalities of treatment. Some, so sorry to say, receive the best of every method and they do not make it. Folks, blame the cancer. Please don't blame doctors, hospitals, or insurance companies. The American system isn't perfect but I guarantee you that anyone in Europe stuck getting theirs through a socialized or government system would gladly come here if they could. My hubby is also a physician. My colleagues and I say Bravo for CTCA because we know several who have gone there and received the best of care and careful treatment. I can say the same for MD Anderson, some of the Mayo facilities as well. There are a variety of good hospitals - we need them all. God bless all of you. How mean to criticize Peggy Kessler or any of the others if they choose to share their personal story.

Good point you make, I go to MD Anderson and I get very good care but at the end of the day if I can’t pay I get a dun-note in the mail with a warning that I will be turned over to a collection group if I don’t call or pay by this data. Nothing is for free..

I believe in every cancer institution we have men and women who are on the found line doing all they can to help us and like everyone they too have good and bad days. Then there are some who are exceptionally nice and make our experience there a real heaven. And so there are others who are not so nice and make it a hell for us, all are people.

Again I thank you for your input
Hondo

You should get yourself into the best cancer institute you can find. Save yourself from the diagnosis of advanced stages of cancer. If you find it early enough youn treat it before it gets out of control. You can live a long and happy life. I am so sorry for your loss of your father. It must be very difficult for you to trust but you have to for your own sake. Please for heavens sake make a positive move to get checked out. There must be a place you can go. There are places all over the continental united states that can help. I am working on helping myself. I am going to Philadelphia next week to the CTCA and am looking forward to a clean bill of health but if not I am ready to fight back again with every piece of my soul. I will not give into this disease come hell-or-high-water.
I beat it once and I'll do it again. Life is to precious to throw away with pride or anger. You have to find a way.

You are so right if we can get it early enough it can be treated and we can live a long life cancer free. The problem is most people don’t believe that they will ever get cancer it is always for the other guy until that other guy becomes them and sometimes it is too late. Early testing is critical when cancer runs in the family.

What type of C do you have I am NPC and had it comeback on me three time and beat its azz all three times.

Wishing you well
Hondo

I am truly sorry for not responding sooner to you but I have been to CTCA in Philadelphia. This has been the best three days I have had in a long time. A little overwhelming but absolutely amazing! The people here treated me like a person and not just another patient. They all knew my name so if i ran into a phycisian in the hall they wouldn't just drop there eyes and walk by, they would stop and say "Hey Peg, How's it going?" or how did such and such test come out. They truly acted like they cared.
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast cancer in April 2007. I went threw the surgery, the chemo and then radiation. I have been cancer free since 2008. However last month I was chopping onions and all of a sudden I heard a snap and felt excrutiating pain in my ribs. I had a bone scan done and it showed the possability of cancer in that rib. I did some research on line and found a chat room which lead me to CTCA. It was wonderful. I found that they are 90% positive that it's just a broken rib and not cancer. I need to be rechecked in 8 weeks but I feel like I can sleep better knowing what I do. Plus they also armed me with an arsenal of avenues to attack some of the other terrible long lasting side effects of the chemo. This place is wonderful.
I am so glad for you. Having to go threw it 3 times is amazing. I take my hat off to you. Going threw it once was enough for me. I will handle it again "IF" I ever have to but I pray that never happens again.
God Bless You

I was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in December of 2006 and after having surgery and beginning chemotherapy, I told my doctor about that commercial with Peggy. As a nurse, I'd always thought that pancreatic cancer was deadly. My oncologist said that there is a type of pancreatic cancer that can be treated. I can't remember the exact conversation but I believe it depends on the area of the pancreas and the type of cell of the tumor.

I'm not defending CTCA and have never been there, but there also was a tv special about cancer hosted by Ted Koppel a few years ago. Lance Armstrong and Elizabeth Edwards were on the show. It showed also how uncaring some oncologists can be. The one interviewed seemed rather heartless and very "clinical". My brother recently died approx. two months after being diagnosed with liver cancer and probably mets to the brain. He wasn't given much encouragement and no further tests were even done other than a CT Scan (which was negative) to see why he had such excruciating headaches. He lived in a small town. I'm not dissing small towns, just saying that the resources might not be so great. I'm saying all of this to say that I am not surprised about the way that "Peggy" was treated by her doctor. Maybe he was a family practice physician who just figured that there was no hope for a person with pancreatic cancer.

I personally have been contemplating going to CTCA simply because I have had one recurrence two years ago and am again in remission. I've been getting maintenance chemotherapy whenever in remission during the last almost five years. I was thinking that maybe CTCA could help me with diet and nutritional supplements but it sounds as if they don't see people who don't have active cancer. It also sounds like they don't take Medicare.

I agree with the person who said that the result is up to God. I don't care how devastating a diagnosis is, I don't believe that anyone ever dies a minute before God has decided to take him. And I think that the greatest advice my doctors ever gave me was to have a good attitude. I don't know if CTCA's treatment is legit or whether Peggy is for real or not, but if they "sell hope" well, I think that is the healthiest emotion that a cancer patient can feel. Hope means a lot. If they don't survive, I don't think that CTCA gave them false hope, it was just their time to go. I still get chemo and I love my oncologist, but my faith is not in either. So, if my health begins to go south, I won't blame or be angry with my doctor or with the chemo or with the hospital. I'll continue to have hope. To me, cancer was a gift. I never appreciated life before it. I wasn't thankful for life and now everything has changed.

Beautiful story my friend for not blaming anyone for your problems. This is life and from the time we are born we also began to die. Sometime disease takes us out before it is times and sometime it is just the way it was menthe to be. I don’t fear death as a Christian I look to it as the day I will be with my friend and savior Jesus.

God bless
Hondo

As soon as we finally got my Dad's diagnosis of kidney cancer my Mom and I made a trip to the health food store. My dad was a meat n tators guy who loved his coffee, all of which are acidic! We purchased dehydrated wheat grass, organic veggies, protein powder and visited the local goat farmer for their high protein goat milk for his shakes. This was all after he was scheduled to go to MD and the hurricane hit the very weekend we were to arrive! Mom and Dad were scared and lost. I did the only thing I knew, alternative! We ordered angstrom minerals, graviola (that we had read about) and illagic acid (spelling is wrong I'm sure but it comes from raspberries). After about 3 days on the sofa and drinking the shakes we made him he announced that he felt much better. We had inquired at the CTCA in Tulsa (Mom and Dad were 3 hours south) and all of a sudden we received a call from them, they had a spot. I asked Dad if he wanted to continue what we were doing or go, he said go. The rest is a nightmare.

We were all treated with respect and kindness. Here are a few things I will tell you for sure because it came from their lips to my ears. They do not use alternative treatments that are not approved by the FDA....we were not allowed to give him the illagic acid or graviola or any other supplements, including wheat grass. They kept an IV in his arm constantly (even though he had 30% function of the kidneys). He swelled until his skin split, they seemed to not care and told me "dehydration is very painful".

When we realized he wasn't going to make it they (his doctors) assured us they would make him comfortable until his passing. I had gone home (3 hours away) to pick up things and was about to head back to Tulsa when I got a panicked call from my Mom saying they were sending him home right now. None of us understood. Without 1 bit of concern they insisted that if we didn't make preparations right now they would and had a nursing home lined up to pick him up. I worked at a little hospital and we prepared a room for him. My friend was a hospice nurse and she was ready to help. CTCA stated they would make sure he had morphine for the trip and he would be comfortable. They gave him nothing prior to the 5 hour ambulance ride. The trip was 5 hours because they had to stop so many times to restrain him because of the severe pain. I know everything about the nightmare ride because I personally knew the EMTs that drove to get him.

On October 19 less than 24 hours after arriving he passed because his lungs were full of fluid from the IVs. On October 28 his first great grandbaby was born and on March 10 he received a birthday card from CTCA.

When you see their 'survival statistics' know that they only mean that the patient left their facility alive. I haven't told anyone this publicly until this forum, but I saw a billboard here in Tulsa (where I now live) that bragged about the fact that they publish their survival rates and other centers don't. I can't tell you how badly that pissed me off. Tomorrow marks 6 years and I am no less angry. Yes maybe your experiences were good, you didn't die. My Dad was a Christian, as am I and I will see him again however they didn't need to make him suffer so horribly. That was callous and calculated cruelty.

See the documentary film Cut Poison Burn featuring Congressman Dan Burton, Dr. Julian Whitaker, Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski, and many more experts. Might still be available on Dr. Mercola's website.

Are way beyond theirbpay grade. Given whay you have read on this thread, why would you want to go there? there are a number of top-flight institutions fornovarian Ca in this country. And they dont charge you six figures up front to render an opinion. Pick one or more of them, schedule an appointment, get your records organized for a visit and go talk to them. it really is that simple.

if you arent comfortable making the choice as to where, get help from your currwnt oncoligist. you know you are not a surgical candidate any more. you are purely a chemo/ adjuvant patient.

a further thiught on the issue of this thread. im sure the doctors there are fine. it is the institutional surrounding them that is the problem. and you dont have any reason to buy into that.

my credentials to make statements like thia to you are beyond any others on this board. they include FACOG, and subspecialty training at one of the nations leading institutions on ovarian Ca.

best regards. Sorry for the typos. working from my supid ipad.

It won't die.....

It keeps going and going and going.....regardless of how many times we have asked people to stop.

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!

Palmyrafan - I'm just curious, why do people want to end this thread? There is a lot of good information on it?
I found it cause I googled CTCA and one of things that came up was SCAM? That's how I found it. Now I have joined it because of all the useful information.

I was just curious. I will stop posting....Just thought there was some great stuff, and other info that needed clarification on.

I hope all is well in your world.

It's nothing personal and if you feel it has value to you, I don't think anyone has a problem with that.

Most of the time this thread pops up every few months with someone making one or two comments, then they are never seen again.

It tends to suggest a bit of conspiracy, someone promoting the CTCA or bashing it.... To me it just makes me skeptical validity wise of the thread more than anything else.

While I have nothing against any facility, it does offend me that any organization would capitalize on someones illness solely for making money.

A lot of the negative comments appear to suggest that as the main factor of the organization.

But you are correct, they all make money, and hopefully they all have more successes than non-successes.

But, I do not believe any one organization is a clear winner for success in the industry. To me that would suggest, they have found a cure for cancer...which as far as I know hasn't happened.

As for criteria, I can only go from what I have read...it seems that the CTCA has a main criteria solely monetarily based. Even to the extend from some comments above, that people don't have emough insurance for them to be considered for admittance.

That doesn't come off to me as a facility set on conguering an illness...unless you can afford it.

Again, if the post has value to you and relates to something personal...post away.

Best,
John

John,

Thanks for letting me know that. I really had no idea, yet I understand. Well, I'm hopefully here to stay.
I was one of the honored guests at their Christmas party a week ago. It was truly amazing. One thing I learned is, CTCA is the only facility that is funding research at quite a few of the top hospitals. I heard this directly from the founder. He said they were funding MD, Sloan, and the Mayo to name a few. I have no reason not to believe him, but he did go onto say that he didn't believe that any other facility was doing that. Further, he solidified the fact that the reason they are funding other institutions was to hopefully help find a cure.

After my brain tumor in 2009, two years later they found four tumors in my back. I went to MD Anderson and they told me they couldn't do anything and sent me home to die. Less than an hour later, CTCA called and informed me my insurance was approved. At this point, I could barely walk. My cancer is so rare that it doesn't even show up on PET scans. Lucky me right? Regardless, after they accepted me, they beat the four tumors in my back with something called hyperthermia radiation. I was walking normal in weeks. I was also the 3rd ever patient to receive it. At that point (about a year ago) I don't believe it was FDA approved. Well, the bottom line is they helped me beat that.

I just wrote that to give you part of my story. I have written other things on here. But, I'm here to stay if they will have me. And, I'm here to answer any questions about the CTCA to the best of my knowledge. The insurance thing is a big thing there. I know people that have not been accepted due to insurance reasons. But, I have also seen several patients, and questioned that they even had insurance....But who knows...

Feel free to reach out to me anytime. Thank you for responding, and a Merry Christmas to and yours.

BJ

John,

Thanks for letting me know that. I really had no idea, yet I understand. Well, I'm hopefully here to stay.
I was one of the honored guests at their Christmas party a week ago. It was truly amazing. One thing I learned is, CTCA is the only facility that is funding research at quite a few of the top hospitals. I heard this directly from the founder. He said they were funding MD, Sloan, and the Mayo to name a few. I have no reason not to believe him, but he did go onto say that he didn't believe that any other facility was doing that. Further, he solidified the fact that the reason they are funding other institutions was to hopefully help find a cure.

After my brain tumor in 2009, two years later they found four tumors in my back. I went to MD Anderson and they told me they couldn't do anything and sent me home to die. Less than an hour later, CTCA called and informed me my insurance was approved. At this point, I could barely walk. My cancer is so rare that it doesn't even show up on PET scans. Lucky me right? Regardless, after they accepted me, they beat the four tumors in my back with something called hyperthermia radiation. I was walking normal in weeks. I was also the 3rd ever patient to receive it. At that point (about a year ago) I don't believe it was FDA approved. Well, the bottom line is they helped me beat that.

I just wrote that to give you part of my story. I have written other things on here. But, I'm here to stay if they will have me. And, I'm here to answer any questions about the CTCA to the best of my knowledge. The insurance thing is a big thing there. I know people that have not been accepted due to insurance reasons. But, I have also seen several patients, and questioned that they even had insurance....But who knows...

Feel free to reach out to me anytime. Thank you for responding, and a Merry Christmas to and yours.

BJ

I really didn't want to post on this thread so it would not be up top. But I got to wondering, other forum style sites have Moderators who can lock a thread and also block trolls and trouble makers.

Does this site not have that function?

TOD

Greta is the moderator for this site....

You always have the option to click a post as offensive, not sure of an entire thread.

I don't necessarily feel the thread is offensive, I just don't believe a lot of the stuff posted here. Like I mentioned above, I'm skeptical at least on the validity of several of the posts and posters.

Several have never posted anywhere on the forum before. They come to this post make one or two posts either pro or con, then leave again.

If a facility has helped you and proved value to you, you have every right to promote it and post about it.

John