more questions

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 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