inoperable, really?

rls67
rls67 Member Posts: 127
in Colorectal Cancer #1

My wife was told at dx that her colon cancer was inoperable. I refuse to believe this and I know there must be someone who was told this and proved them wrong. The problem is, how do you go about finding the right surgeon who is willing to take a chance.

 

My wife is running out of options when it comes to chemo. Folfox and Folfiri both failed. In fact the tumors on her liver actually grew. I am desperate to find something that will give her more time. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Comments

  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    #2
     
    Hey...I'm so sorry that you

     

    Hey...I'm so sorry that you didn't get better news, the results can be truly heartbreaking.  :'(  And thiis came from the doctor at Sloan, righ?  They're usually spot on with things, but you could always ask another doctor/surgeon at that hospital to review the scans, it can't hurt.

    Take care, and keep us posted.

    Cynthia

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #3
    I'm sorry.

    I would keep searching. We were told that my brother's cancer is imoperable NOW but they will revisit the idea after they see what the chemo does. Does anyone know how the Cancer Treatment Centers of America is? I wish you all the best!

  • rls67
    rls67 Member Posts: 127
    #4
    thank you,

    No, she has never been to sloan hospital. She was diagnosed and being treated at unity health center in rochester NY. I am not very impressed with the quality of care and lack of detail they have displayed over the past year.

    Can anyone recommend a good colorectal surgeon willing to take on a tough case? We are considering cancer centers of america. I have heard mixed reviews of them.

     

     

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #5
    rls67 said:

    thank you,

    No, she has never been to sloan hospital. She was diagnosed and being treated at unity health center in rochester NY. I am not very impressed with the quality of care and lack of detail they have displayed over the past year.

    Can anyone recommend a good colorectal surgeon willing to take on a tough case? We are considering cancer centers of america. I have heard mixed reviews of them.

     

     

    Second opinion?

    You may want to try contacting either or both...Dana Farber in Boston / Sloan in NYC for second opinion.

    Sometimes you can make contact and send in scans, blood work results and they will see if they have any differing opinion.

    Even just finding another chemo treatment plan which works may change the "not operable" to "operable".

    Sending best wishes to you and your wife for finding the next step.

    Marie who loves kitties

  • ripley86
    ripley86 Member Posts: 3
    #6
    I was DX in Rochester NY but

    I was DX in Rochester NY but was told to find an oncologist so I did the follow up at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo NY. Have been very satisfied with the care there. After scans, bloodwork, etc are done, the case is reviewed by a panel who gives suggestions as to what treatment should be followed. Maybe they might be able to give you some options.

  • rls67
    rls67 Member Posts: 127
    #7
    Thanks marie,

    We went this week for a second opinion at Roswell cancer institute in Buffalo. since the results for the KRAS test wasn't in yet, she couldn't give us an opinion. I am thinking about a third opinion. There were some questions I wanted to ask her about I forgot to do it. 

  • rls67
    rls67 Member Posts: 127
    #8
    ripley86 said:

    I was DX in Rochester NY but

    I was DX in Rochester NY but was told to find an oncologist so I did the follow up at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo NY. Have been very satisfied with the care there. After scans, bloodwork, etc are done, the case is reviewed by a panel who gives suggestions as to what treatment should be followed. Maybe they might be able to give you some options.

    How long have you been diagnosed?

    I really liked it there. They really seem to be on the ball there. Unlike where she is going now. We saw Dr. Mahaltra at Roswell. I really liked her. Do you get your chemo treatment at Roswell? Are you happy with them? Sorry about so many questions, but I am considering talking my wife into going there for her treatment.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #9
    Sorry

    Don't ever accept inoperable as there has been so many that have been and are now doing good because they found someone that would take the challenge.  I'm not sure about the hospitals in your area but check with other hospitals to see if they are willing to take a different approach.  There is always hope and I'm wishing you the best success in getting more opinions.

    Kim

  • ripley86
    ripley86 Member Posts: 3
    #10
    I am not doing the actual

    I am not doing the actual chemo treatments at Roswell. It's an hour drive for me and due to my health insurance, I spend 3 days every other week in UMMC in Batavia. Roswell sets my protocol and an excellent oncologist named Dr. Wisa follows the protocol set by Roswell. I have 2 of the chemo treatments done on his office in Batavia and the 46 hour infusion of 5FU is done at the hospital. I am very satisfied with how I have been treated by all the professionals at Roswell.

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