Back from Houston

JDuke
JDuke Member Posts: 438
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Well I am home from Houston. Got home yesterday about noon. Yes, we had to reschedule our return flight because our appointment ran three hours late. Poor planning on my part, I should have given that possibility consideration when I made the reservations. I have to get it off my chest that I was extremely disappointed that my face time with Dr. Cathy Eng was 15 minutes. All the biopsy slides that I ran around collecting were never even opened.

I won't bore you with all the details. Bottom line is that Dr. Eng recommended Carbo/Taxol chemotherapy. This is the same regimen that Winnie (Caroline) had in California for her liver mets. It was quite successful for her and I am certainly excited about the prospect of that kind of success for my pleura mets. Caroline and I have been in email contact and she shared with me regarding her side effects and length of treatment. I spoke with my Rad/Onc today and they are going to get a PET scheduled and a follow-up with my Med/Onc to get the ball rolling. If I said I was looking forward to the chemo you all know that would be a lie, but I will do what is necessary to get to the other side of treatment.

Thanks again for all your concerns, prayers and well wishes.

Blessings to all,
Joanne

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Welcome back!
    Hi Joanne--

    It's so good to hear from you and know that you got home safely and have a plan in place! I'm so glad that Dr. Eng is prescribing the same regimen as Winnie had, as one cannot argue with success! I'm happy to know that she has filled you in as to possible side effects so that you can be fully prepared for anything that comes along. I have been in contact with Winnie for over 18 months now and I know she will give you all the info she has. I know you have a certain amount of dread about all of this, but your attitude is one of determination and that's working in your favor. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know when things are scheduled to start for you--soon, I hope! As always, best wishes.

    Martha
  • tpmack37
    tpmack37 Member Posts: 14
    #3
    Thanks!
    Thanks Joanne for contacting me about the Liver mets and your journey to MDA. Even though you were disappointed, that bottom line you mentioned - That Dr. Eng recommended Carbo/Taxol is a big deal.

    I was just discussing it today with my Chemo-Onco and she is willing to give me that treatment if I really want it.

    I also just made contact with Winnie's doctor and want to learn more from him.

    TIM
  • JDuke
    JDuke Member Posts: 438
    #4
    tpmack37 said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks Joanne for contacting me about the Liver mets and your journey to MDA. Even though you were disappointed, that bottom line you mentioned - That Dr. Eng recommended Carbo/Taxol is a big deal.

    I was just discussing it today with my Chemo-Onco and she is willing to give me that treatment if I really want it.

    I also just made contact with Winnie's doctor and want to learn more from him.

    TIM

    You are welcome.
    Excellent idea to contact Dr. Stanton. Let's keep comparing notes as we travel along this journey.
    Best regards,
    Joanne
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #5
    Joanne
    Hi Joanne,
    I'm gad you were able to meet with Dr. Eng, although it was for such a short time. Also, that Dr. Eng recommended the same tx plan that Winnie had, as we know it worked. I understand about not wanting to start chemo again, but if this is what it takes to take care of the pleura mets, then this is what must be done. I pray for the least side effects for you, and that the chemo will go by quickly, and destroy those mets. Lori
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #6
    tpmack37 said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks Joanne for contacting me about the Liver mets and your journey to MDA. Even though you were disappointed, that bottom line you mentioned - That Dr. Eng recommended Carbo/Taxol is a big deal.

    I was just discussing it today with my Chemo-Onco and she is willing to give me that treatment if I really want it.

    I also just made contact with Winnie's doctor and want to learn more from him.

    TIM

    Tim
    Hi Tim,

    Good for you in getting the tx plan you want and contacting Winnies dr. That is a very good picture of you. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #7
    tpmack37 said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks Joanne for contacting me about the Liver mets and your journey to MDA. Even though you were disappointed, that bottom line you mentioned - That Dr. Eng recommended Carbo/Taxol is a big deal.

    I was just discussing it today with my Chemo-Onco and she is willing to give me that treatment if I really want it.

    I also just made contact with Winnie's doctor and want to learn more from him.

    TIM

    Hi Tim!
    Love the pic! I am so glad that your med onc is going with the Carbo/Taxol treatment that proved successful in Winnie's case. I'm also very happy that you have contacted Dr. Stanton. Now we have you and Joanne on this course and I think that's definitely the way to go. I have so much hope for both of you! Winnie--if you're checking in here, thank you for sharing all the info! Please keep us posted as things progress towards the start of your treatment. I know you and Joanne can both do this!
  • duckyann
    duckyann Member Posts: 159
    #8
    z said:

    Joanne
    Hi Joanne,
    I'm gad you were able to meet with Dr. Eng, although it was for such a short time. Also, that Dr. Eng recommended the same tx plan that Winnie had, as we know it worked. I understand about not wanting to start chemo again, but if this is what it takes to take care of the pleura mets, then this is what must be done. I pray for the least side effects for you, and that the chemo will go by quickly, and destroy those mets. Lori

    Joanne and Tim,
    I am also
    Joanne and Tim,

    I am also happy that both of you are getting the same treatment as Winnie! I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that you both have minimal side effects.

    Nancy
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #9
    Glad to hear there is a plan
    Glad to hear there is a plan that has proven successful Joanne! Bummer to go all that way and only have 15 minutes with the doctor. Sorry to hear about chemo again. I understand completely. I'm off this morning to get my results, and so don't want to hear that I would be faced again with that.
    Praying good things for you!!!
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #10
    Again, while I am new to all
    Again, while I am new to all this (will start chemo and rad on June 28th if my fever goes away) and can only offer well wishes and support, I believe that whatever you need to do to take care of your cancer, that is the way to go. I'm also sorry you only had 15 minutes with your doctor...but am glad they are trying a new combo. My well wishes, prayers and thoughts are with you. I will be coming back in here as much as I can to follow your progress. Mariyne
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #11
    sissy310 said:

    Again, while I am new to all
    Again, while I am new to all this (will start chemo and rad on June 28th if my fever goes away) and can only offer well wishes and support, I believe that whatever you need to do to take care of your cancer, that is the way to go. I'm also sorry you only had 15 minutes with your doctor...but am glad they are trying a new combo. My well wishes, prayers and thoughts are with you. I will be coming back in here as much as I can to follow your progress. Mariyne

    Back from Houston
    Hi Joanne,
    Glad to hear the doctors have a plan that we know has worked for others. Sorry your trip was long yet short on face to face. I understand and I know the waiting is hard.

    Did Dr. Eng indicate that she has used the chemo protocol before with others?

    Wishing you well as always.
    Liz
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #12
    SueRelays said:

    Glad to hear there is a plan
    Glad to hear there is a plan that has proven successful Joanne! Bummer to go all that way and only have 15 minutes with the doctor. Sorry to hear about chemo again. I understand completely. I'm off this morning to get my results, and so don't want to hear that I would be faced again with that.
    Praying good things for you!!!

    Sue
    I'm praying that you will receive good results!
    Liz
  • azkookie18
    azkookie18 Member Posts: 22
    #13
    tpmack37 said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks Joanne for contacting me about the Liver mets and your journey to MDA. Even though you were disappointed, that bottom line you mentioned - That Dr. Eng recommended Carbo/Taxol is a big deal.

    I was just discussing it today with my Chemo-Onco and she is willing to give me that treatment if I really want it.

    I also just made contact with Winnie's doctor and want to learn more from him.

    TIM

    Dr. Stanton
    Hello Tim,
    Based on Winnie's experience, we are also considering contacting Dr. Stanton.
    Just curious if you'd reached out to him and what the reply has been?

    My mom was recently diagnosed w/ anal cancer and they also found a single lesion on her liver so I want to make sure we're well informed.

    Thanks in advance.

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