Back from the dr. NOT GOOD NEWS please help me here.....

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Comments

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #42
    gizzyluv said:

    I'm confused....

    Hi! As I said before, I'm new to all of this. I do know what Tagamet is, but am confused as to how that could have contributed to you being NED the past year? I'm definitely curious!....Thanks for your help! Kris

    Tagamet

    some studies have shown that cimetidine (brand name Tagamet) helps reduce the chance of spread during colorectal surgery.  A common problem with surgery is that it can "seed" cancer cells in other parts of the body.  Something about the cimetidine (which is an OTC drug for excess acid) seems to stop this from happening.  I didn't use if for my first four surgeries, then did use it for my fifth (one week before and one week after).  My surgeon had never heard of it, but felt it couldn't hurt.  There's no way to be sure if it helped, but I haven't had any further tumor growth since that last surgery (Dec. 2011), and I have a very aggresive, fast-growing tumor type, so to go for a year without anything showing up is kind of a big deal.  I'm way too superstitious to use the word "cure" for myself, but both the surgeons I had this last time were willing to say that I may have gotten that lucky.  We'll see how thngs are going in another year or so.  Anyway, I think it's worth adding to any surgery, just in case.

    Here's a link to an abstract of one of the studies...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919677

    "Cimetidine inhibits cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells and prevents metastasis by blocking E-selectin expression."

  • gizzyluv
    gizzyluv Member Posts: 143
    #43
    annalexandria said:

    Tagamet

    some studies have shown that cimetidine (brand name Tagamet) helps reduce the chance of spread during colorectal surgery.  A common problem with surgery is that it can "seed" cancer cells in other parts of the body.  Something about the cimetidine (which is an OTC drug for excess acid) seems to stop this from happening.  I didn't use if for my first four surgeries, then did use it for my fifth (one week before and one week after).  My surgeon had never heard of it, but felt it couldn't hurt.  There's no way to be sure if it helped, but I haven't had any further tumor growth since that last surgery (Dec. 2011), and I have a very aggresive, fast-growing tumor type, so to go for a year without anything showing up is kind of a big deal.  I'm way too superstitious to use the word "cure" for myself, but both the surgeons I had this last time were willing to say that I may have gotten that lucky.  We'll see how thngs are going in another year or so.  Anyway, I think it's worth adding to any surgery, just in case.

    Here's a link to an abstract of one of the studies...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919677

    "Cimetidine inhibits cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells and prevents metastasis by blocking E-selectin expression."

    Oh wow!

    Jason's surgery is Friday....wonder if 2 days before would do any good?! If so, I'm out the door to get some Tagamet!!!! Actually, I'm out the door anyway, I won't even wait to get a reply. lol Thanks SO much!!!! Kris

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #44
    gizzyluv said:

    Oh wow!

    Jason's surgery is Friday....wonder if 2 days before would do any good?! If so, I'm out the door to get some Tagamet!!!! Actually, I'm out the door anyway, I won't even wait to get a reply. lol Thanks SO much!!!! Kris

    Btw-

    the dosage in the studies (which I took) was 400 mg 2x per day.  I think doing it starting now and then for a week after surgery may be just as effective.  I've seen different things in different studies.

  • gizzyluv
    gizzyluv Member Posts: 143
    #45
    annalexandria said:

    Btw-

    the dosage in the studies (which I took) was 400 mg 2x per day.  I think doing it starting now and then for a week after surgery may be just as effective.  I've seen different things in different studies.

    Got it!

    I got the Tagamet....I sent you a pm....=)

  • bailee2012
    bailee2012 Member Posts: 60
    #46
    support

    I just wanted to say God Bless you and your husband during this tough journey.  You should find the strength you need wherever you wish.  If someone doesn't like what you have to say then I say that they don't have to read any of your posts.  Especially if it is a feed that you started, not going onto their feeds and saying things that they don't wanna hear.  We are all in the same boat here and we should do nothing but support each other, not nitpick like children. 

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #47
    bailee2012 said:

    support

    I just wanted to say God Bless you and your husband during this tough journey.  You should find the strength you need wherever you wish.  If someone doesn't like what you have to say then I say that they don't have to read any of your posts.  Especially if it is a feed that you started, not going onto their feeds and saying things that they don't wanna hear.  We are all in the same boat here and we should do nothing but support each other, not nitpick like children. 

    No one was responding to gizzyluv's postings,

    but rather to the poster (with only 2 posts) who jumped in with stories of miraculaous healing and a quick plug for a book that costs "only $5".  Smart not to put in a link, make yourself look like an obvious scammer.  Plus when you sign up for this board you do agree to the TOS, which includes no proselytizing for any religion.  Gizzyluv was not doing this, the other post was, imo.  AA

    PS I would like to add that there is a lovely forum right here at CSN for spirituality and prayer.  You can post whatever you like that is religious in nature there.  To come here and speak in a disparaging fashion of many things that have allowed the rest of us to live (like DOCTORS, for goodness sake) is pretty obnoxious, no matter how well-intentioned the poster may be.  And to be told to just not read the thread?  No...the answer is for that poster to take the conversation to the other forum or send Gizzyluv a PM.  Of course, PMs don't allow you to try to sell copies of a book.

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #48
    bailee2012 said:

    support

    I just wanted to say God Bless you and your husband during this tough journey.  You should find the strength you need wherever you wish.  If someone doesn't like what you have to say then I say that they don't have to read any of your posts.  Especially if it is a feed that you started, not going onto their feeds and saying things that they don't wanna hear.  We are all in the same boat here and we should do nothing but support each other, not nitpick like children. 

    I should have been more

    I should have been more clear.  My heart goes out to gizzyluv.  Feel terrible about what she and Jason are dealing with.  My last post was directed at Jan1122.  I found her post to be quite offensive.  My understanding regarding the CSN rules and regulations is that they would prefer we avoid the topic of religion as to not offend others.  I realize now that my response to Jan1122 may have offended some (possibly many).  If that is the case, I apologize.  I think we should all feel comfortable enough to read all posts.  We shouldn't be bomborded by people using this forum to preach their religious beliefs.  I don't think it is the intention of this web site.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #49
    Chelsea71 said:

    I should have been more

    I should have been more clear.  My heart goes out to gizzyluv.  Feel terrible about what she and Jason are dealing with.  My last post was directed at Jan1122.  I found her post to be quite offensive.  My understanding regarding the CSN rules and regulations is that they would prefer we avoid the topic of religion as to not offend others.  I realize now that my response to Jan1122 may have offended some (possibly many).  If that is the case, I apologize.  I think we should all feel comfortable enough to read all posts.  We shouldn't be bomborded by people using this forum to preach their religious beliefs.  I don't think it is the intention of this web site.

    You raised a very relevant point, Chelsea-

    which is, I think, part of why CSN tries to keep excessive displays of religion off the board.  And the simple reality is that virtually all of us go to doctors, have surgery, do at least some chemo and/or radiation, etc.  I haven't seen anyone on here who is skipping all of that and relying solely on a faith healing.  Although it was the approach my Christian Science grandmother.  She died of cancer, skipping not only treatment, but any form of pain management as well.  It was a hard end, but I guess she stayed true to her religious priniciples.  AA

  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #50
    gizzyluv said:

    I don't know

    I honestly don't know why he only shared the information with me, but I did tell Jason what the dr. said about it being in his stomach & what he said about there being a possibility that he won't even be able to take the colon/tumor out. One thing that puzzled me is that when the dr. said it's in his stomach, I told him that just last week he had an endoscopy done & it was all clear. They even did biopsies of the stomach & surrounding areas, so I when I told him that he said "that doesn't matter" then proceeded to show me the spots of cancer in the CT Scan pictures. The dr. doing the surgery is a highly renowned colorectal cancer surgeon, he has been in practice for many, many years & I have never heard anything but good things about him. I have been thinking about contacting another Cancer Treatment Center (in Knoxville....we're in Maryville, Tn.) but I can't really do anything until he is approved for TennCare (medicaid, in the state of Tn.) I'm gonna be finding out about that today or tomorrow. This is all such a shock to me & to everyone....it's like my sister said "this kind of thing only happens to other people".....well, surprise! We are now "the other people".....=( Thank you so much for your encouraging words, I get the feeling I'm gonna be turning to you all a LOT in the near future! Take Care & God Bless, Kris

    Did the Dr say it was in the

    Did the Dr say it was in the peritoneal area(stomach lining?)  Take a deep breath and like tohrs suggested, try and get a 2nd opinion if at ALL possible.

    My tumor was very large and about to burst when I had sugery- a week after diagnosis.  I responded well to chemo and am NED after 4 years.

    Please stay strong and there are lots of us here to help answer your questions.

     

    ((hugs))

    Peg

     

  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #51
    annalexandria said:

    You raised a very relevant point, Chelsea-

    which is, I think, part of why CSN tries to keep excessive displays of religion off the board.  And the simple reality is that virtually all of us go to doctors, have surgery, do at least some chemo and/or radiation, etc.  I haven't seen anyone on here who is skipping all of that and relying solely on a faith healing.  Although it was the approach my Christian Science grandmother.  She died of cancer, skipping not only treatment, but any form of pain management as well.  It was a hard end, but I guess she stayed true to her religious priniciples.  AA

    You should really discuss

    You should really discuss with the surgeon whether or not he may need a colostomy,  for my surgery my surgeon could not answer ahead of time whether I would need one or not,  but that it was a possibility.....and my surgeon did not bring up this aspect .....  I had to ask him.    I don't know why he didn't bring it up.   I've seen on this board where people are prepared and are able to map out the best possible placement for their colostomy prior to surgery.    I feel being prepared is better.

  • gizzyluv
    gizzyluv Member Posts: 143
    #52
    pluckey said:

    Did the Dr say it was in the

    Did the Dr say it was in the peritoneal area(stomach lining?)  Take a deep breath and like tohrs suggested, try and get a 2nd opinion if at ALL possible.

    My tumor was very large and about to burst when I had sugery- a week after diagnosis.  I responded well to chemo and am NED after 4 years.

    Please stay strong and there are lots of us here to help answer your questions.

     

    ((hugs))

    Peg

     

    I'm not sure....

    We just got back from Jason getting his pre-op blood work & stuff done. The only thing listed in his file was the colon resection surgery & a central line. So, I guess we won't know anythng for sure in regards to the stomach until the dr. is actually in there looking at it. I'll keep everyone updated on how it goes....Thank you for caring! It means so much to us. Kris

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
    #53
    annalexandria said:

    Would 2nd the cimetidine/Tagamet...

    forgot to mention that I took that for a week before and a week after my last surgery, which may (or may not-but it can't hurt) have contributed to my being NED this last year.  AA

    Wish I had read this comment

    Wish I had read this comment about tagamet last week!  I'm already a week out of surgery.

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