Its been a rough couple of weeks. My dad has been in the ER and hospital. They thought he had a heart attack. He has severe burning in the center of his chest. The EKG was irregular but the blood work did not show he had the enzyme. He has stage 4 lung cancer and it is in his lungs, lymph nodes in the center of his chest and now has mets to his adrenal gland. The mets on the adrenal gland appeared in late August and was only 1 centimeter. While at the hospital they did a CT on his brain, chest and stomach.They thought he may have pancreatitis, but that came back negative. What they found is the tumor on his adrenal gland is now 2.5 centimeters and no reduction in the cancer in his lungs and increased in his lymph nodes. The doctors have given up. Just 3 months ago everyone was so excited because while on carbo-taxol and radiation the cancer reduced by 50%. Since he was on Gemzar and it was Harsh! His platlets dropped to dangerous levels so they switched to Navelbine and he had a Picc line put in. He had 3 of these treatments and it has caused all this pain. He has an intense burning in his chest that no one can tell us what it is. They keep saying No idea but cancer pain is dull not intense. He has headaches too and now is taking Morphine 5-6 times a day. Mom says he is sleeping most of the time. Just 3 weeks ago he was working in the yard. How long does it take to get the chemo out of his system? I asked the doctor about Photodynamic therapy. Its a light that use for lung cancer and its supposed to be pretty effective. He said well its not the only place the cancer is. I asked about removing the adrenal gland and he said if that were the only place we would but its not. I started thinking if you do the photodynamic therapy and remove the adrenal gland he would be cancer free. He then discussed a different chemo- Alitma. I said I thought Alitma wasnt as effective on squamous cell. He said I was right. Am I crazy- why put dad thru all those side effects if its not the best treatment. So I asked about Cisplatin and he agreed that would be better for my dad. I left thinking- I am not a doctor. I read a bunch- but I did NOt go to medical school. My parents are from what used to be Yugoslavia and I have been translating and trying to help as much as possible. I have been crying for 3 days now. My mom thinks dad's attitude went way down when the doctor asked if he wanted to go on Holiday. I feel like they have given up and my dad still wants to fight this. He is only 66. I am thinking about a 2nd opinion. We are in Columbus OHIO does anyone have a great Doctor they really trust? Thanks for any guidance. I am so sad. I love my parents and want my dad here as long as possible.
thank you. J
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Getting a 2nd Opinion
- By Mom3x
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 7:19 am · 7 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage IV
- Shared with the public
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- By keepongoing
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 9:38 am
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Have you thought about going to the Cleveland Clinic? Or any other large, possibly university affiliated Cancer Center? You should always always get a second and even third opinion. Doctors are not infallible. They make mistakes just like the rest of us. They are not gods. Better to discuss and consult with several before picking the correct treatment or even the correct doctor. Here is a link to cancer centers listed by states, but there are many others. http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/10/cancer.centers/index.html
Good Luck
- By cards7up
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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The photodynamic therapy cannot be used on cancer that has metastasized. When you are stage IV, you cannot be cured but you can go into remission and live for many years. I think I would definitely get a second opinion. Have they thought of doing surgery at all? Good luck and take care, JC
- By hermanade
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 12:05 am
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Minimally, you should be considering having a long-distance consult with one of the foregoing comprehensive cancer centers. You are right--you should not have to be guiding your doctor. At the foregoing hospitals, you will have the benefit of thoracic oncologists, oncologists who specialize in lung cancer, particularly.
Good luck!!
The Top 10 cancer hospitals by U.S. News and World Report:
University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
University of Chicago Hospitals
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo
Clarian Health Partners, Indianapolis
- By hermanade
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 12:05 am
- Report post
Minimally, you should be considering having a long-distance consult with one of the foregoing comprehensive cancer centers. You are right--you should not have to be guiding your doctor. At the foregoing hospitals, you will have the benefit of thoracic oncologists, oncologists who specialize in lung cancer, particularly.
Good luck!!
The Top 10 cancer hospitals by U.S. News and World Report:
University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
University of Chicago Hospitals
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo
Clarian Health Partners, Indianapolis
- By emtq
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 11:57 am
- Report post
Absolutely! Yes! Yes! Yes! Get a second opinion and maybe a third.
How to Get a Second Opinion
From www.womenshealth.gov
Even though doctors may get similar medical training, they can have their own opinions and thoughts about how to practice medicine. They can have different ideas about how to diagnose and treat conditions or diseases. Some doctors take a more conservative, or traditional, approach to treating their patients. Other doctors are more aggressive and use the newest tests and therapies. It seems like we learn about new advances in medicine almost every day.
Getting a second opinion from a different doctor might give you a fresh perspective and new information. It could provide you with new options for treating your condition. Then you can make more informed choices. If you get similar opinions from two doctors, you can also talk with a third doctor.
Tips: What To Do
Ask your doctor for a recommendation. Ask for the name of another doctor or specialist, so you can get a second opinion. Don't worry about hurting your doctor's feelings. Most doctors welcome a second opinion, especially when surgery or long-term treatment is involved.
Ask someone you trust for a recommendation. If you don't feel comfortable asking your doctor for a referral, then call another doctor you trust. You can also call university teaching hospitals and medical societies in your area for the names of doctors. Some of this information is also available on the Internet.
Check with your health insurance provider. Call your insurance company before you get a second opinion. Ask if they will pay for this office visit. Many health insurance providers do. Ask if there are any special procedures you or your primary care doctor needs to follow.
Ask to have medical records sent to the second doctor. Ask your doctor to send your medical records to the new doctor. You need to give written permission to your current doctor to send any records or test results to a new doctor. You can also ask for a copy of your own medical records for your files. Your new doctor can then examine these records before your office visit.
Learn as much as you can. Ask your doctor for information you can read. Go to a local library. Search the Internet. Find a teaching hospital or university that has medical libraries open to the public. The information you find can be hard to understand, or just confusing. Make a list of your questions, and bring it with you when you see your new doctor.
Do not rely on the Internet or a telephone conversation. When you get a second opinion, you need to be seen by a doctor. That doctor will perform a physical examination and perhaps other tests. The doctor will also thoroughly review your medical records, ask you questions, and address your concerns.
- By MicheleL
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 11:54 pm
- Report post
The more I experience and read, the more I believe that you have to stay on top of your own healthcare and that of thosee you love. There were several times int eh past several months when my questioning led to a doctor rethinking an approach to something regarding my dad's treatment. Your dad is so lucky to have you looking out for him. do the best you can and pray.
We are all in this with you.
- By Mom3x
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 8:04 am
- Report post
thank you for all your wonderful comments. Has anyone tried a more holistic approach with foods and vitamins. He has been on 3 different chemos and he is very weak. It has all happened in the last 4 days. he can barely walk up the stairs without being exhausted. Any experience with buliding the body up? has anyone heard much about B-17 or Laetril?
thanks again. I think the James and the Cleveland Clinic are great ideas.
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