Talked to the oncologist today

I think your oncologist has it slightly wrong
Danielle,

I think your oncologist has it slightly wrong when she says "those are patients, not doctors". My response to that would be "those are SURVIVORS, not doctors". I think it is time to get a second opinion from a different oncologist. The fact is, we SURVIVORS had post operative chemo at the suggestion of our DOCTORS.

If it were me I would think it is time to move on.

Regards,

Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina

The node was removed?
I'm a little confused. The biopsy of the removed lymph node had active cells. So that node is removed. The others were negative. Did his pre-op post chemo/radiation show any cancer present? So, the fact that the removed lymph node had active cells suggests that the chemo/radiation did not kill all the cancer cells elsewhere? My husband's pre-op PET showed no cancer activity. Yet, upon biopsy of the removed esophagus, under the scar tissue, cancer cells were found. All lymph nodes biopsied were negative. No post-op treatment has been recommended. They follow him closely. This is, of course, a different situation. The esophagus organ was removed and with it the cancer. In your instance, a cancer containing lymph node was removed. Lymph nodes are a system that run throughout the body. Thus, if I understand correctly, I would want further chemo to kill any little cancer cells that had escaped. It suggests to me that the pre-op treatment didn't kill all of the cells. It is true, the oncologist did follow the protocol for such cases; however, your father did not have a complete response to his pre-op treatment and as such, an expanded post-op chemo regimen would be of necessity. She is correct this board is made up of patients and caregivers---not doctors. Maybe you can share with her the rhabdomyliosis that my husband experienced with Zocor--statin side effects. The well-trained specialists said that they had never heard of such side effects or that they were rare. He nearly lost his ability to walk. One doctor apologized to my husband for his failure to make the association. When he stopped taking the statin, the muscle cramps and weakness went away. At the request of our family doctor tried a statin again, post-op, this time with CQ10. Two weeks in, muscle cramps. Stopped the Crestor. No more muscle cramps. With three doctors in our family, they still call and ask Mom or Mom-in-law what to do for this or that. The closest I've been to a medical school is paying tuition and expenses. But I've spent 30 plus years in doctors' offices and emergency rooms taking care of my children and grandchildren. As I ramble, it is one thing to follow a protocol. It is another to treat. She needs to explain how your father's condition with post chemo/radiation active cells fit into the current protocols that suggest active cells should not be present. A more thorough explanation rather than a put down would ease your mind and help you make decisions.