Update on visit to the Oncologist

fredswilma

Hi all
Just wanted to update you all on Marks visit to the Oncologist, I get so full of hope when we go well its more like hope and despair all kind of mixed up the hope is that they will say actually we have made a mistake and Mark is not Stage iv, and the despair is that actually Mark is definately Stage iv. We had a good discussion on where we need to go next, unfortunately NZ is a little behind America and it is a Public Health System and we do not fund Herceptin even though Mark has tested positive for the HER2 gene, we are in the process of asking for the funding, but the Oncologist doesn't give us to much hope, we have been told to privately fund it, it could cost us tens of thousands of dollars, those of you who have either had herceptin or have cared for those who have used herceptin, how good is it, if i thought it was worth those sorts of dollars I would happily sell the house to fund it, needless to say mark is really anti this so feed back would be great.
Initially Mark could not have radiation with his Chemo as the Mass covered to large an area and the radiologist felt it would be detrimental to other major organs, we are having another scan to see if now radiation could be an option, heres where it gets a bit tricky, that old question, the big cannons or not, my husband is 45 years old we have 3 children all boys 14,13 and 9 My husband wants so much to be with them as they grow up and is keen to try anything on offer, but again quality vs quantity!!!. Mark is now booked to get his throat stretched in the hope that eating will become easier. You know this truly is an awful disease, one that robs families of so much, I know there is no right or wrong answer and everyone has to make their own decisions, however I would reallly appreciate your ideas and thoughts, seriously going through a rough time, hoping all this makes sense and thanks in advance for your feedback.
Ann

BMGky

Just want to express my
Just want to express my heartfelt concern for your husband, you and your three sons. You are facing quite a battle. I will pray for you to get the needed treatment. I am unfamiliar with the NZ health care system but it sounds scary. Hopefully others who know more than I do will be on to give you more information. In the meantime, prayers for you all.

Unknown

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BMGky

unknown said:

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Beautiful letter Sherri. I
Beautiful letter Sherri. I hope she contacts you as she sounds so at a loss with such hard decisions. I have no knowledge but wanted her to know we care. Your letter was very helpful. Your continued support to others on this site is much appreciated. Mary

Curts gal

Stint
My husband is at this time stage three and I hope he stays there. We have had a stint placed in his Esophagus to help with eating. It has meant so much to him to be able to eat. Have you looked into that?

mrsbotch

I am sorry
Hi Ann

Sherri is right about the throat stretching. It will help. At one point my husband Vince's esophagus was the width of a pencil. He couldn't get anything down. I am so sorry for you and for Mark.

My husband had recurrant EC so they had not done chemo before or after surgury. Once it came back they gave him the big guns and he only could do 5 cycles. It is a personal opinion whether to go that way or not. My husband could just not handle it and he did pass away in Feb. Some people go thru chemo and radiation better than others. In my husbands case he said he wished he had not done the chemo BUT we did not have small children to think about. You must follow your heart and of course it is finally his decision.

I am so sorry you have to be going thru this.
Its a **** of a road and NO One deserves it.



Love

barb