Chat with Oncologist

UncleBuddy

I spoke with my brother's oncologist yesterday. She said she discussed my brother's condition with the liver specialist. She doesn't think my brother is a good candidate for the chemo-embolization because of his condition, but the liver specialist would like to see him anyway, look at all his charts/tests, check him out and make a definite conclusion then. I'm not sure if he should go to the appointment and hear her out or not bother and just keep moving on. I don't want him to get his hopes up, but then I don't want to miss the chance, even if it's only a slight chance. I am wondering if the specialist doesn't want to bother doing it because he has the lung nodules. I'm not sure what we should do. My brother is guided by what I think and I honestly don't know what to tell him. He has clotting issues, heart and blood pressure issues and had a really hard time at the end of last year with several hospitalizations within a couple of months. I HATE THIS DISEASE!!!!

He is feeling pretty well, but he is also on a low dose of chemo because of the side effects. My brother and dad have settled in pretty well to their new apartment. They are only 5 minutes from all their doctors, which is awesome! I went there today to give them lessons on how to use the washer/dryer. LOL! They're 2 bachelors trying to figure out how to do wash, it's too funny!

Good wishes to all of you.

Lin

PS A little good news: my daughter and son-in-law are expecting a baby in March! This will be our 2nd grandchild and we are feeling blessed! We have a granddaughter from our son and DIL. She is the joy of our lives!

janderson1964

Will your brother fully

Will your brother fully understand that the specialist wants to talk to him but to not get his hopes up? If he understands that and doesn't expect anything to change then I think you should take him. Otherwise you might be burdeoned with "What if I had taken him."

Congratulations on your next grandchild.

UncleBuddy

janderson1964 said:

Will your brother fully

Will your brother fully understand that the specialist wants to talk to him but to not get his hopes up? If he understands that and doesn't expect anything to change then I think you should take him. Otherwise you might be burdeoned with "What if I had taken him."

Congratulations on your next grandchild.

Thanks!

I'm going to have to sit down and explain to him that this may not happen. That we are going there to hear what she has to say, but don't get your hopes up. I think if I make it crystal clear that this is probably not going to happen, but we should go to hear her out, I think that should be okay!

Yeah, I think it would weigh heavily on me thinking, "what if!"

Lin

Nana b

UncleBuddy said:

Thanks!

I'm going to have to sit down and explain to him that this may not happen. That we are going there to hear what she has to say, but don't get your hopes up. I think if I make it crystal clear that this is probably not going to happen, but we should go to hear her out, I think that should be okay!

Yeah, I think it would weigh heavily on me thinking, "what if!"

Lin

I would go.

I would go. It's worth the atempt.  I would want to know specifically, why not. 

UncleBuddy

Nana b said:

I would go.

I would go. It's worth the atempt.  I would want to know specifically, why not. 

You're right!

I think it's a combination of reasons, but I'd like to know for sure. I have been told that sometimes they won't do it if you have mets in other organs. If that is the ONLY reason, then I need to get another opinion. If they are afraid to do it because of all the health issues he has, that at least is understandable. Even then I may seek another opinion.

Lin

hippiechicks

In mho it would definitely be

In mho it would definitely be worth going.  Knowledge is powerful, wether good or bad, you need to know.  What if's are harmful.  I think your approach of making things crystal clear sounds perfect! 

Congrats for you expected grandbaby! Best of health and strength for you as you guide your brother through this journey. 

UncleBuddy

hippiechicks said:

In mho it would definitely be

In mho it would definitely be worth going.  Knowledge is powerful, wether good or bad, you need to know.  What if's are harmful.  I think your approach of making things crystal clear sounds perfect! 

Congrats for you expected grandbaby! Best of health and strength for you as you guide your brother through this journey. 

Thanks!

I spoke to my brother before and he told me to go ahead and make the appointment, as long as I don't mind the drive. LOL, I would take him anywhere he needs to go. Anyway, thanks for the advice. 

Lin