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We've got a plan....

cat22
0 Recommendations

We saw Ben's Oncologist today. They have gotten the approvals for the new Chemo (Adriamycin and Gemzar) and Emend. We are optomistic, as the Oncologist told us that the MD Anderson specialist has seen positive results with Adriamycin and Transitional Cell Carcinoma. Ben will start chemo this Friday, and repeat every two weeks. After 4 infusions (2 months) they will do MRI/CT Scan. His PET scan last Friday shows uptake in the lungs and the spot on his pelvic bone which also showed up on his last MRI and CT Scan. We are hoping this new chemo combo will take care of it. That's all for now. Thanks for all of the prayers and comforting words.


Cathy

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Adriamycin Depression Breast cancer

20 replies

roadrunner

Sounds like a plan,,,glad to hear your cleared for treatment ,prayers it all works out,,and the chemo does the job,,,,ginger

twindf

Cathy, the news sounds encouraging. Ben will be in my prayers. Dolly

cat22

Thanks, Ginger. The enthusiasm Ben's oncologist was showing today gives us hope. We are so thankful that the two Oncologists had the consultation by phone, or we would probably still be looking at radiation/chemo.

Cathy

Ciboney1

It is so good to have Doctors work together. It makes you feel more confident in what their plans will be. Hopefully this will be effective for Ben. My prayer are with you folks.. Sending positive thoughts your way from Michigan...
arlene

cat22

Thank you Arlene! We needed this ray of hope.

Cathy

lsh

Great news Cathy. Isn't it great that that the docs could talk and come up with a plan? I know that when things went badly when Dan was going through the transplant, I always asked, "what is the plan?" and felt better as we implemented it. Prayers will be going up that it works.

Lynda

georgiaE

Cathy,

Good luck to you and Ben! If Ben's insurance doesn't cover the Emend, Ed is 66 and on medicare and is in a donnut hole of $4,000.00 that we would have to pay out of pocket try this. I researched on google and found the ACT program, where they take the burden off of the patient if they need help. They have sent Ed Emend in the mail for ahead of each treatment that it is needed for.

Good luck , we are praying for you and Ben, and please keep us posted.

Love,

Candon and Ed

Memi

Just to have a plan of action helps to lift the depression, I know.
Will keep you and Ben in my prayers.

Memi

Cheyenne

Having a good plan is important. Sounds like a good one. Glad you got some resolution to this.

browns-crossing

I am so glad they have come up with a plan of treatment for you. Best wishes
Browns Crossing

Ardy

Hey Cat! Good to hear from you. I have been searching for news about Ben. Thank goodness you have a plan of action. You both and the doctors will be in my prayers.

joybob

Cathy, keep the faith. Sounds like a great plan. Your on my mind...prayers from Orlando. joycee

LadyJane123

Having a plan is so great and one you can accept. Good luck and keep us posted.

cat22

Thank you, Candon. We just got the approval for the Emend (not sure what our copay will be). Thank you for the "heads up" on the ACT program.

How is Ed doing lately? Does he have chemo again tomorrow? Praying for you daily, thinking of you both often.

Love
Cathy

cat22

Lynda, Memi, Cheyenne, Browns Crossing, Ardy, Joycee, LadyJane. Wow, I woke up to so many responses. Thank you all for your prayers. It does feel much, much better to have a plan!

Hugs to all of you,
Cathy

sunshine604

Hey, Cathy - sounds like you're going in the right direction! Good on you for pushing for a better solution and finding doctors that will work together.

We will be watching Ben's progress with hope and prayers.
Eileen

mendo_lady

Cathy you are one tough cookie - so glad to read that the docs conferred and that you have the start of a game plan. H O P E! plus your determination, powerful combination.

Many hugs and even more prayers.

cat22

Thanks, Nancy/Eileen.
Persistence seems to be paying off. Ben and I have been on the phone or computer a great deal getting to this point. We'll keep you all posted.

Cathy

loonym

This sounds very interesting to me and I'll anxiously be watching and waiting for results of this. I'm pretty desperate for something that could work.

cat22

Loonym. Good to hear from you. Ben's tumor is TCC. This doctor at MD Anderson apparently has hope for Adriamycin, which is used a lot for breast cancer, but I believe she has seen good results using it for Transitional Cell Carcinoma. We are H O P I N G. Ben's chemo this Friday is postponed, and will now start next Wednesday when we return from Houston. I will definitely keep you informed. We got very proactive and FAXed Ben's records to MDA, determined to get in. Ran into some roadblocks, but finally got the OK from MDA to pay out of pocket (yes, we had to fight to pay cash!). Some silly loophole regarding Ben being on Medicare, but with a Senior Advantage supplement that is in California, not Texas) We will be paying to have his pathology slide analyzed by MDA as well. We were extremely fortunate that Ben's Oncologist arranged a conference call with a Doctor at MDA. That changed everything. Loonym, I am praying something is out there for you, and will keep you informed.

Cathy

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