In Dire Need of Help Transporting My Mother from Florence, SC to Philadelphia, PA

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KathleenBrown2601
KathleenBrown2601 Member Posts: 1
edited December 2019 in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hello All,

In January 2019, my mother was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer after a large fibroid was surgically removed and biopsied.  After surgery, she underwent chemotherapy treatment and radiation on one of the lymph nodes in her groin area.  She completed this regiment on May 2nd. 


 

In early September 2019, another blood test was conducted on my mother which indicated elevated CA 125 levels.  A CT scan was completed shortly thereafter.  The results of the CT scan indicated that she had cancer in her stomach and in a lymph node in her groin.  She was to resume another round of chemotherapy  the first of which was given on September 19th, 2019. 

 

My mother has received another round of chemotherapy (Topotecan) on November 5, 2019.  Do to blood tests, her current oncologist has decided to discontinue treatment and made reference to future hospice care as the treatment options he can offer have been exhausted.  The doctor said that the cancer has spread into her bowels and she is having major difficulty holding food down and is losing weight rapidly.

 

She does not want to die and no immunotherapy treatments have been used on her, which I feel is her best hope.  I would like to get her into a clinical trial at the Abramson Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, but she is currently in Florence, South Carolina.  My major hurdle is transporting from Florence, SC to Philadelphia.  Her platelet levels are so diminished (21,000) that doctors are advising that she cannot travel because she has developed Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and they say it is very risky.  Can anyone advise the best way to feasibly have my mother transported?  All of her family resides in the Philadelphia area and she will have plenty of help and support once she is there.  Also if anyone can advise of there is anyone she can talk to for emotional support, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank You,

 

John

Comments

  • Chuck Z
    Chuck Z Member Posts: 22
    #2
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    Transporting your mother.

    So sorry to here about your mom. If she was here on the West coast, I'd do it for you. How many hours by car is it from SC to were you need to go. Could you rent a cargo van and put a cot and a sleeping bag on it for her to lay on during the drive. With you and someone else splitting the drive. You should be able to make it there in record time. Also, has she already been OK'ed for the trial once you get her their? The doctors say that she is to sick to travel. But what other options do you have if she doesn't make the trip. If none, then you know what you have to do then. The longer you wait, the weaker she is going to get. 

                       Chuck Zentgraf

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,369 Member
    #3
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    Florence, SC to the

    Florence, SC to the Philadelphia area is about 8 hours direct.  The DIC does make this very risky for her, and on the ground where any kind of help is going to be available is going to be your best route.  What does your mother want to do?  Does she understand the risks of the trip and want to take it?  What kind of treatment does she receive daily for her DIC?  

    I realize you posted on 12/16, and here is it 12/21, so hopefully you and your family have solved the travel issue for her.  I will say, your mother has raised a very loving son.  

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