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Thread: Reflections on Cancer

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    595

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    It happens with other diseases as well. Years ago as a nurse I was working for a law firm on personal injuy cases. One of the laywers father had severe heart disease and needed surgery, or he was going to die, and time was running out. The local surgeons refused to take him to surgery because he was too high risk. They weren't sure he was going to make it through the surgery. I called and got him an appointment at NY Presbyterian, Columbia Cornell Medical Center, where they said, no he might not make it through surgery, but it is his only chance, he definitely would not make it without the surgery. So they said, of coarse we will do it. He made it through surgery and lived over 5 years longer, long enough to see his daughter married and his grandchildren born, and for them to know him. She was forever grateful for the help. People often feel helpless, they don't know how to go abou it, how to get to the specialists they need. During that time that I was working at the law firm, I worked with researchers and pathologists from the Mayo Clinic and they are top in their fields. A great place to go if you have cancer.`The out of network thing is one reason I pay the premium for highest tier of insurance my hospital offers. So I can go where I want or need to, should the need arise. Out of network will still cost more, but even though I might not have a lot of money, the money I saved is not important if I am dead. The uninsured are over a barrel. That is an awful position to be in.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    14

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    I have had very similar. It was a carcinoid tumor of my right lung. This happened 17 years ago. I have been a runner and a gym rat my whole life. I knew something was wrong. Each Dr. visit was met with the same "you look great". Assuming I look healthy was good enough for the Dr. To just do a quick test. After 3 visits he found nothing. 2 days after last visit I had a coughing fit, then blood just started pouring out like I was vomiting blood. There was a small carcinoid only 8MM in size. Because it was never addressed 2/3 of my right lung became necrotic and had to be removed. I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC. They manage to save 1/3 of the lung, and removed the other 2/3. . When your instinct tells you something is wrong don't let a Dr. Ignore it. BTW I had to pee into that jug also. Not fun.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Alexandria VA
    Posts
    15,887

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    Some doctors, many doctors actually - are quick to dismiss serious issues as "oh, it's probably nothing". My friend John is dying in Michigan right now as his doctor put him off for over three months, and he's ate up with cancer now. He has 90 days expected remaining time to live and he told me the best chair he had to sit in was a lawn chair from the garage. I just had my friends at Fjord chairs ship him a new motorized recliner they had in their warehouse in NJ so at least his final months will be a little more comfortable.

    Sad though. My cancer was a walk in the park next to what he has and there is light at the end of the tunnel for him. It's just time now.

    One thing I have learned is YOU have to be your own medical advocate. When you are not getting results, push back. Doctors are fallible, like everyone is. Some are good, some are GREAT. As in most industries, the great ones are fewer than the average ones. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? When something is not right and you are not getting where you need to be, keep pushing for a resolution.

    Glad you survived Jogo1. You and I are still on the right side of the dirt after all these years. We both went to cutting-edge comprehensive cancer centers, you to Sloan Kettering, me to Johns Hopkins. Both those places practice medicine on a different level and we are here to tell that tale.
    Last edited by drcollie; 08-29-2020 at 12:15 AM.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Alexandria VA
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    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    FYI, my friend John Barfuss passed away today from his cancer, just two weeks after reaching out to me. He waited too long to get to a doctor, sadly.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    14

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    So sorry. Time is everything when it comes to treatment.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Beautiful Texas Hill Country
    Posts
    188

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    Duane,

    I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend. You have my deepest sympathy.

    Sincerely,

    TXCajun

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    595

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    I am so sorry to hear that, Duane.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Alexandria VA
    Posts
    15,887

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    Thanks all, ironically the new Fjord's motorized recliner I had shipped to him is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow to his house in Michigan.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Posts
    563

    Default Re: Reflections on Cancer

    Sorry to hear it, Duane.

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