Answer to Prayers

amcp
amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband of almost 40 years has stage 4 colorectal cancer which metastised to the liver. He had a colostomy done in 2006 and has been undergoing chemo since then. They have tried it all but nothing has stopped to cancer in the liver from growing. So in Dec. his oncologist told us there was nothing left to do or try. The only option was to go to Vanderbilt in Nashville and see if he could qualify for a clinical trial. We went on Dec 29 and met with a gastro. oncologist and said that my husband qualified for a Phase I clinical trial. We were not hopeful since Phase I meant the medication has never been tested on Humans. Well our prayers have been heard...Today the Specialist we saw at Vanderbilt called and said that she and her team have been going over and over my husbands scans and that they think that he is a candidate for liver surgery that most of the cancer in on the rigtht side. We had asked our oncologist about liver surgery earlier on but he told us my husband's liver was too involved and surgery was NOT an option. The Specialist at Vanderbilt is making us an appt with a Surgeon there and an appt for a PET/CT scan to be done there also. There is no guarantee but at least there is HOPE...we are floating on cloud 9. Thank God for answered prayers. Do not give up..only God knows the future and what it holds.

Anna

01/08/09
Today we got another call from the Specialist at Vanderbilt. She has my husband (Frank) and appt with a surgeon on Jan 13th and then we go back for a scan on the 23rd. We are still so excited, thankful, happy etc. God has truly sent us a Miracle. Hope is so important and should never be diminished. We have hope again. We are so looking forward to next week and meeting with the surgeon. We will update with any news. Thanks for your prayers and support.

God bless each of you!
Anna (Frank)
«1

Comments

  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #2
    Praise God!
    Best of luck with your trip. Let us know when you are going so we can send good thoughts your way!
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #3
    mom_2_3 said:

    Praise God!
    Best of luck with your trip. Let us know when you are going so we can send good thoughts your way!

    mom_2_3
    thank you so very much for your support and encouragement. It means so much to me and my husband . I 'll keep you updated. Thanks again.

    Anna
  • Faith4Cure
    Faith4Cure Member Posts: 405 Member
    #4
    Never Give Up!
    That is awesome news! Your persistence is paying off. Keep on believing and never give up! I wish you both the best. Keep us updated.

    Faith
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    amcp said:

    mom_2_3
    thank you so very much for your support and encouragement. It means so much to me and my husband . I 'll keep you updated. Thanks again.

    Anna

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    amcp said:

    mom_2_3
    thank you so very much for your support and encouragement. It means so much to me and my husband . I 'll keep you updated. Thanks again.

    Anna

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #7
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Nana B
    I appreciate your message ...it is so great to have others who are going through similar situations and struggles lift you up in thoughts and prayers. Thanks Again

    Anna
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #8
    Faith4Cure said:

    Never Give Up!
    That is awesome news! Your persistence is paying off. Keep on believing and never give up! I wish you both the best. Keep us updated.

    Faith

    Faith4Cure
    Your words were so encouraging. I appreciate you taking to time to lift us up! We will never give up and will NEVER stop believing that God is in control and that HIS will be done.
    Thanks
    Anna
  • Monicaemilia
    Monicaemilia Member Posts: 455 Member
    #9
    Wonderful news....
    I am so very happy for your family. I will pray that surgery takes place as soon as possible so that your family can celebrate NED till he is cured. You are right, never give up. Faith and patience will get you through the hardest times so that you can celebrate the good ones. Monica
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    It's amazing, isn't it?
    That just when you say 'No more!' something grand comes along.

    Before my surgery, I remember, my surgeon said I had a 50% chance of an external appliance. A friend of a friend called to recommend another surgeon. I went with him...he gave my a 3% chance...which I didn't even fit into...not even a temporary redirect!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #11
    Monicaemilia said:

    Wonderful news....
    I am so very happy for your family. I will pray that surgery takes place as soon as possible so that your family can celebrate NED till he is cured. You are right, never give up. Faith and patience will get you through the hardest times so that you can celebrate the good ones. Monica

    Monicaemilia
    I read your profile...you have been through so much but have such a wonderful positive attitude. Thanks for your support. I will keep you in my prayers. We should never give up..GOD is in control and it is in HIS hands! Hope things do well for you.
    Anna
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #12
    KathiM said:

    It's amazing, isn't it?
    That just when you say 'No more!' something grand comes along.

    Before my surgery, I remember, my surgeon said I had a 50% chance of an external appliance. A friend of a friend called to recommend another surgeon. I went with him...he gave my a 3% chance...which I didn't even fit into...not even a temporary redirect!

    Hugs, Kathi

    KathiM
    Your story is so amazing. I never heard of that type of surgery and to rebuild the rectum. I know we did not ask enough questions but am doing better. Lots of research now on internet etc. Thanks for your encouragement. You are amazing. Keep up the good work.
    Anna
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #13
    Great news!
    You have reason to celebrate and thank God for the good news! You are proof that sometimes a second opinion is not only recommended but a NECESSITY! Some just aren't able to think outside of their norm! I pray that God carry you along this journey and you will be celebrating NED very soon!
    mary
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #14
    msccolon said:

    Great news!
    You have reason to celebrate and thank God for the good news! You are proof that sometimes a second opinion is not only recommended but a NECESSITY! Some just aren't able to think outside of their norm! I pray that God carry you along this journey and you will be celebrating NED very soon!
    mary

    AMCP...another Vandy post op patient here
    OK, you have in my opinion been accepted to the greatest clinical trial hospital in the United States (actually MD Anderson is #1 and Vanderbilt is #14 but whose counting). Dr Alan Herline and his team decided on the best route to take for me and Alan Herline did the surgery. I have had not the first complication out of mine. The people (and I am speaking of everyone from Janitor to Top Surgeons at this facility treat you as if you are a King or Queen. A smile at every turn and everyone goes out of their way to assure you have everything you need. These people don't freelance, they work in teams to come up with the best possible procedures for the patients best return of a normal as possible lifestyle. I had a spincter reconstruction specialist, colorectal specialist,anal reconstruction specialist, all engaged in making a determination on what best suited my needs for a complete recovery and best possible return to normalcy after surgery. If you need any help on getting around down there let me know and I can give you directions on where exactly it is, parking garages, and lodging.....1 can stay in the room with the patient.

    also , if its any consolation, I didn't hold much hope for myself here where I live simply because no one could tell me what stage I was. I went to Vandy and was told that there didn't seem to be any node involvement my first trip there, ended up there wasn't. If they told you that he is a great candidate for surgery then get ready . They don't make opinions like that unless they know that it is going to happen. and Im telling ya them people are GOOOOOOD at what they do.....they have done it way to long to mess you around. They are kind, polite, diligent, and fast, and very meticulous of what they do. Nothing but good things will come of this. Smile, God has taken ya'll by the hand and lead you to where you need to be....He does it all the time.....God Bless ya both....and keep in touch......and if you speak with Dr Alan Herline tell him Clift Powers said Hi and I'll see him in April.........
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #15
    Amen!
    Anna, that's just fabulous. I know y'all feel so happy to have some hope. God surely sent you there to see this doctor. I'll be anxious to hear what comes next.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #16
    so glad for you
    Hi Anna,

    This definitely shows that when some doctors say "no", there are others who know more and are more up on the latest techniques and treatments, and that it's always important to get a second opinion from someone at a reknowned major cancer center. I believe that if I hadn't gone to Moores Cancer Center in San Diego when I did that I wouldn't have been treated nearly as good. My insurance won't pay for me to go to a general oncologist there, unfortunately, but one there has agreed to be there for me to answer questions, give consult via phone or email, and let me know of clinical trials that I may qualify for if needed in the future. Fortunately, my insurance did allow me to go to a liver specialist there, who contradicted my regular local oncologist by telling me that I was a candidate for liver surgery after all & so I did have that surgery back in May- all went well.
    Best wishes to you and your husband and may God bless and keep your spirits lifted up as well-
    Lisa
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #17
    msccolon said:

    Great news!
    You have reason to celebrate and thank God for the good news! You are proof that sometimes a second opinion is not only recommended but a NECESSITY! Some just aren't able to think outside of their norm! I pray that God carry you along this journey and you will be celebrating NED very soon!
    mary

    msccolon
    I can not thank you enough for your encouraging words. I read all the responses to my husband and it brought tears to his eyes. Thanks again
    Anna
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #18
    lisa42 said:

    so glad for you
    Hi Anna,

    This definitely shows that when some doctors say "no", there are others who know more and are more up on the latest techniques and treatments, and that it's always important to get a second opinion from someone at a reknowned major cancer center. I believe that if I hadn't gone to Moores Cancer Center in San Diego when I did that I wouldn't have been treated nearly as good. My insurance won't pay for me to go to a general oncologist there, unfortunately, but one there has agreed to be there for me to answer questions, give consult via phone or email, and let me know of clinical trials that I may qualify for if needed in the future. Fortunately, my insurance did allow me to go to a liver specialist there, who contradicted my regular local oncologist by telling me that I was a candidate for liver surgery after all & so I did have that surgery back in May- all went well.
    Best wishes to you and your husband and may God bless and keep your spirits lifted up as well-
    Lisa

    lisa42
    We are still so excited about the news and appreciate you taking the time to encourage us and let us know about your surgery. You will be in our prayers.

    Anna
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #19
    tootsie1 said:

    Amen!
    Anna, that's just fabulous. I know y'all feel so happy to have some hope. God surely sent you there to see this doctor. I'll be anxious to hear what comes next.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    tootsie1
    Gail, thank you for your encouragement. God has truly blessed us with caring people like you and the others on this board. Hope should never be diminished! May God bless you.
    Anna
  • amcp
    amcp Member Posts: 251 Member
    #20
    Buzzard said:

    AMCP...another Vandy post op patient here
    OK, you have in my opinion been accepted to the greatest clinical trial hospital in the United States (actually MD Anderson is #1 and Vanderbilt is #14 but whose counting). Dr Alan Herline and his team decided on the best route to take for me and Alan Herline did the surgery. I have had not the first complication out of mine. The people (and I am speaking of everyone from Janitor to Top Surgeons at this facility treat you as if you are a King or Queen. A smile at every turn and everyone goes out of their way to assure you have everything you need. These people don't freelance, they work in teams to come up with the best possible procedures for the patients best return of a normal as possible lifestyle. I had a spincter reconstruction specialist, colorectal specialist,anal reconstruction specialist, all engaged in making a determination on what best suited my needs for a complete recovery and best possible return to normalcy after surgery. If you need any help on getting around down there let me know and I can give you directions on where exactly it is, parking garages, and lodging.....1 can stay in the room with the patient.

    also , if its any consolation, I didn't hold much hope for myself here where I live simply because no one could tell me what stage I was. I went to Vandy and was told that there didn't seem to be any node involvement my first trip there, ended up there wasn't. If they told you that he is a great candidate for surgery then get ready . They don't make opinions like that unless they know that it is going to happen. and Im telling ya them people are GOOOOOOD at what they do.....they have done it way to long to mess you around. They are kind, polite, diligent, and fast, and very meticulous of what they do. Nothing but good things will come of this. Smile, God has taken ya'll by the hand and lead you to where you need to be....He does it all the time.....God Bless ya both....and keep in touch......and if you speak with Dr Alan Herline tell him Clift Powers said Hi and I'll see him in April.........

    Buzzard
    Wow, how can we put in words the help you have given us. You have lifted our Hope level. We can never thank you enough for taking the time to let us know about Vandy! We heard back today and have an appt. I read your message to my husband and it brought tears to his eyes and lifted his spirit. You are a blessing from God and we will remember you in our prayers. I may take you up on getting around Vandy later on. Thanks again.

    Anna
  • janpuck
    janpuck Member Posts: 7
    #21
    Phase 1 clinical trial
    I know your post is now over 1 month old - but wondering if you knew the name of the clinical trial? Thanks so much for any info

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