more questions

Marianne313

if a Dr. says "6 months left to live and you've already used 2 of those" what can I expect? I mean, I know that they don't really know "when" but they have to be semi-close, right? (this is for my Aunt who has stage 4 colon cancer and it's already spread to various other organs including throughout her liver).

the Dr. also told her he wants her to try this new study but if he told her what it was called she doesn't recall. Any news on the most recent study out there for advanced colon cancer? I googled but didn't find anything "new".

UPDATE: I should have added that she has not had any form of treatment yet. She had surgery to remove part of her colon in March and she was released from the hospital on April 1, this year.

thanks.

Marianne

John23

Marianne -

Re:
"if a Dr. says "6 months left to live and you've already used
2 of those" what can I expect? I mean, I know that they don't
really know "when" but they have to be semi-close, right? "

Keep in mind, that all they're doing is "projecting" the time frame
of the cancer's advance, basing it on it's present advance rate.

There's some accuracy (obviously), but there are a ton of variables
involved. The growth rate of the specific cancer can change, based
on illnesses, health changes, dietetic changes, etc.... So although
the prognosis can be considered accurate -if- nothing is changed
from the present conditions, changing conditions can indeed
change the prognosis.

Keeping the body healthy in spite of cancer, is the optimum
way to tackle cancer, or at least give it a good fight.

People say it's "being happy", or having the right determination
to live, but it really equates to the willingness to eat and be as
healthy a you can to build up the immune system. Who feels
like eating when they're mad, depressed, or otherwise feeling
"down", right?

Give the body the fuel to work, and it will do what it needs to do.
Being -too- careful of what you eat, can leave the body in need
of the higher amount of "fuel" it needs to work.

Before she tries "trials", she should get other qualified opinions
from surgeons outside the area, and/or not of the same association
as her present physicians.

There are also "alternatives" that can be tried....if she so desires.

Good luck; good health,

John

Marianne313

John23 said:

Marianne -

Re:
"if a Dr. says "6 months left to live and you've already used
2 of those" what can I expect? I mean, I know that they don't
really know "when" but they have to be semi-close, right? "

Keep in mind, that all they're doing is "projecting" the time frame
of the cancer's advance, basing it on it's present advance rate.

There's some accuracy (obviously), but there are a ton of variables
involved. The growth rate of the specific cancer can change, based
on illnesses, health changes, dietetic changes, etc.... So although
the prognosis can be considered accurate -if- nothing is changed
from the present conditions, changing conditions can indeed
change the prognosis.

Keeping the body healthy in spite of cancer, is the optimum
way to tackle cancer, or at least give it a good fight.

People say it's "being happy", or having the right determination
to live, but it really equates to the willingness to eat and be as
healthy a you can to build up the immune system. Who feels
like eating when they're mad, depressed, or otherwise feeling
"down", right?

Give the body the fuel to work, and it will do what it needs to do.
Being -too- careful of what you eat, can leave the body in need
of the higher amount of "fuel" it needs to work.

Before she tries "trials", she should get other qualified opinions
from surgeons outside the area, and/or not of the same association
as her present physicians.

There are also "alternatives" that can be tried....if she so desires.

Good luck; good health,

John

thank you for the response
thank you for the response John, some days her spirits are good and some days they aren't so good. I mentioned to her this past Saturday that she might think of getting a second opinion, she said "for what". She is pretty sure that they're certain of what she has and she doesn't want to go through all of the same tests all over again. I don't push (too much) since I don't want her thinking I want her to do what I want her to do (if that makes sense). I simply want her to know I'm here for her if she needs a sounding board or if she needs anything at all. I think, for the most part, that her spirits are good most of the time. I usually take food for them (she and my uncle) when I go and I also take her to the grocery store or go for them depending on what she wants.

I do appreciate your thoughts and feedback, it means a great deal to me.

Thank you,
Marianne

John23

Marianne313 said:

thank you for the response
thank you for the response John, some days her spirits are good and some days they aren't so good. I mentioned to her this past Saturday that she might think of getting a second opinion, she said "for what". She is pretty sure that they're certain of what she has and she doesn't want to go through all of the same tests all over again. I don't push (too much) since I don't want her thinking I want her to do what I want her to do (if that makes sense). I simply want her to know I'm here for her if she needs a sounding board or if she needs anything at all. I think, for the most part, that her spirits are good most of the time. I usually take food for them (she and my uncle) when I go and I also take her to the grocery store or go for them depending on what she wants.

I do appreciate your thoughts and feedback, it means a great deal to me.

Thank you,
Marianne

Marianne -

Re:
"She is pretty sure that they're certain of what she has and
she doesn't want to go through all of the same tests all over again."

The "other opinions" are usually made using the scans and tests
she's already had. There are times that the "new" physician may
want to get a better scan, or a more in-depth blood test, but
they most often use the data that's already been gathered.

You can tell your Aunt that the opinion she's received is only
"an opinion". We all have our own opinions, some good and some
not that good; physicians are human and their opinions may differ
as greatly as yours and mine! (or mine and most everyone else?)

Cancer is a life-changing event, just as all the procedures and
drugs involved will be. I personally don't feel anyone should
undergo any major life-changing event without having as much
knowledge regarding it, as they can muster.

It's funny, but some people will spend more time learning
about a new TV, or appliance they're interested in buying,
than their health concerns. They'll take a month to decide
between a GE washer or a Maytag washer, yet just dive
into chemicals that can kill them without ever questioning
the side effects vs benefits..... go figure?

Anyway.... Don't feel you're imposing your concerns on your
Aunt, you'll be doing her a favor by giving her as much knowledge
as she can digest. Yes, it's true that no-one desires to be a
real PITA, or be thought of as a Nagging %^&#, but there's
a life at stake. If she has a desire to live, I would try to give
her the best shot for her survival - knowledge of what's going
on, and -other qualified opinions- regarding the situation.

I'm wishing you both better health, my best to you both!

John

PhillieG

My Opinion
I would not wish to be under that doctors "care". I have never heard, nor asked, the question of "how long do I have doc?" from my doctors. Unless you have cancer in 99% of you body I do not think they can predict anything. I just find it totally irresponsible. That's me...

I would look into new trials, they are known to work at times. I would also look into another doctor too. I was part of a phase III trial at one point. I felt that I had a good chance with it (which turned out to be true) and the least thing was that it could help others.

Marianne313

PhillieG said:

My Opinion
I would not wish to be under that doctors "care". I have never heard, nor asked, the question of "how long do I have doc?" from my doctors. Unless you have cancer in 99% of you body I do not think they can predict anything. I just find it totally irresponsible. That's me...

I would look into new trials, they are known to work at times. I would also look into another doctor too. I was part of a phase III trial at one point. I felt that I had a good chance with it (which turned out to be true) and the least thing was that it could help others.

I agree Phil
I agree with what you, and others, have stated throughout this site about new trials, herbs and such, unfortunately I think my aunt is "resigned" to the fact that this is inevitible and therefore seems closed to any suggestions of alternative medicines and other doctors. I don't think she's given up, I just think she is tired of all of the tests.

In the Dr.s defence, I should mention that I really think he only gave a "timeframe" due to the fact that my Aunt has been procrastinating. Dragging her feet regarding ANY treatment and continually stating that "I don't know yet". I think he just wanted her to realize it's very serious. He's not pushing her toward chemo or any treatment, he has stated that she could do "nothing" if she wishes. I think he just wanted her to know that she shouldn't "waste" her time, especially if she wanted to do any treatments.

I am going to try to scan quickly many posts here and try to find some that mentioned herbal items that seemed to help just so I can make a small list to take when I go again tomorrow to see her. It can't hurt. My main fear is that she'll get fed up with me trying to get her to do "different" or new things and push me away. I couldn't bear that.

Thank you for your input.

p.s. I like your picture, never met a blue faced man before with such big white eyes .

Marianne