I have nothing more to lose

As my heading says "I have nothing more to lose" hits home so badly.
When Vince was first diagnosed in Feb 2009 The very first piece of literature that I copied off the computer was Dr. Luketich in my search for EC places to go. It is funny now as I kept it and being the unknowledgebale person I was then I filed it. Then I called Emory as it was closer to where we lived.
IF my husband had been receptive to going out of state to UPMC at that time I truly believe he would be alive today.
Anyhow I will not bore you with more details as you all know Vince's story BUT when the cancer returned I did call Dr. Luketich. I know he is not God and there are probably many many other drs who are as good as him BUT the difference is HE CALLED ME BACK.. Chuck , his assistant , called and e-mailed me several times. NOT ONE PERSON AT EMORY EVER checked up on us. That is the difference. Once we knew surgury was not an option again I was referred to Dr. Mike Gibson, the oncologist at UPMC and he phoned me several times and I got another e-mail from him the other day congratulating me on the interview I did on the news. I was NEVER charged a dime for any info they gave me. NOT ONE DIME. I don't know of too many places who would do that for you.

Did I hear from any other dr in Atlanta where we went??? NO I did not.

Now remember I never ever went to UPMC . I have NEVER met any of these drs BUT they helped me more than anyone else WHO DID OPERATE ON VINCE.
Now why is this?

I do agree with the fact that if you are supposed to get a certain dr to operate YOU should have that dr. BUT as we all know now EC is a BEAST and most of us in the beginning are so frightened and so unknowledgeable about this disease that we do not know the right questions to ask.

I have never met Loretta or Bill but I will tell you this they tried to talk my husband into going to UPMC per me on the phone and Vince would not leave home. BIG MISTAKE I feel now .


There is so much about this disease I do not know but I have learned way too much.

It is unrelenting, it can come back, it robs us of our future, it destoys families and is the worst cancer I can think of.
Of course there are other drs? It would be foolish of any of us to say that UPMC is the only place to go BUT all I am saying is please do your research. This is about the person you love the most .

If only I had listened my life may be different now.

The sad thing is is that so many younger people are being diagnosed now and that is hear bare.

Please lets not beat up each other and different hospitals too much.

I am displeased with Emory and I wrote the dr a certified 5 page letter. That is how I handled it . He disputed some of what I said and could not respond to some of the rest. So That is how I handled it. I know of others who have gone to this dr with good results.
My way was to comfront him. I have never mentioned his name on the site as I don;'t feel that that would be appro9priate but that is just me.


As I said I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE NOW as Vince is gone.

I only want the best for the rest of you and I know sometimes people come across as pushy, Maybe like me at times, but I don't mean to be.

This disease is no picnic. It is serious , as all of you who are going thru it know.

I can say this. Loretta and Bill have dedicated their lives after his bout with EC to help others.Sherri has dedicated her life and I am trying to do the same.

Bart Frazzitta from fightec.com has dedicated his life too.

SO we have been there, done that, and got the Tee shirt we never wanted.


I know we all care about what you are going thru.

I have spoken to Sandy 1943 and to Callaloo so many times. I dearly love these women . One is doing great and the other is in the battle of her life.

I WISH to GOD I had never met any of you. YOU have to know what I mean by that BUT now that I have I CARE and so do the others.


Love

Barb Rizz