| Author |
|
Penny
New User
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:56 am Post subject: Looking for information on a treatment facility. |
 |
|
I'm new to this site but it seems to be very professional and I haven't had any luck on other forum sites.
I'm 42 with Stage IV Breast Cancer. Origianlly diagnoised in 2004 with Stage I, Infiltrating Ductal Carsinoma 2cm. with no node involvemnt. I had lumpectomy, chemo (adrimiacin and cytoxin), radiation (32 treatments), tamoxofin (unitl after historectomy in 2005). In 2006 I had a small reccurance 5mm and opted for double mastectomy and no chemo. Now I have a 3cm left superior hilar mass, an internal mammary node 13mm, and two chest wall masses one at 2.3cm and one at 10mm. My local oncologist is not very encouraging so I'm seeking treatment at The Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Do you have any information on this treatment center? Can I expect any more than the three to four years my local oncologist is giving me. He also says that surgery is not an option and I don't understand why not. I know they say I'm terminal and there is no cure but would think with all the survivor stories I hear that there must be more that I can do. Any information would be appreciated. Penny |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3319
Location: Tennessee
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Looking for information on a treatment facility. |
|
|
Penny, I am very sorry about your cancer. My only knowledge of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America are their TV ads where they make a lot of "cure" promises. Personally, I do not talk about any cancer being curable, so that claim turns me off. Also, I am sceptic about any organization that can spend that kind of money on a national ad campagne. Having said that, it does sound like they offer a wide variety of treatment options, including holistic medicine.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
mymaria
Regular
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Looking for information on a treatment facility. |
|
|
Penny,
I am sorry for your diagnosis. Please read this reply to know where I am coming from:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8807&start=15
I noticed that your chemo involved cytoxan, adriamycin, but not fluorouracil (5FU). Any reasons why? The three drug cocktail has been shown to be effective (relatively speaking) in fighting breast cancer. Do you know the histological profile of the cancer cells? I am confident that the oncologists discussed the nature of the cells with you. This makes a considerable difference in determining the best approach.
It sounds like you need to make a change. Any resignation of hope when you are clearly determined to beat this is not acceptable by a doctor! I'm sorry, but don't know anything about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I'll do some research.
Just a word of warning:
If it sounds too good to be true, it very well could be. I would be wary of claims of CURES and focus on what they can offer you. If there is a process for them to review your charts, etc. w/o expense or little expense to you and then they come back and provide a course of action, that would be the way to go. Make certain that that course of action is very different from what you have already or are receiving. Get a second/third opinion if you can.
One thing is for certain, it's a private facility (it won't be cheap) and offer other holistic/alternative approaches to treatment. Again, do your research on these "alternative" approaches. Make certain that your insurance will cover the treatments described. I'm always nervous about any medical facility with a "franchise" mentality. http://www.cancercenter.com/about-us/our-hospitals.cfm
Just make certain that you find out about as much as you can about these facilities. Speak with nurses, social services, friends, etc.
Richard
_________________
Dallas, TX |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
