Hello All,

I'm looking for the best cancer centers in the world, any ideas or suggestions? I'm looking in the US and UK and even in Asia. I'm looking for a center that has drugs outside of chemo and cisplatin ..

Thank you,

H

Dear H - As a start, you could check them out here:
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/resources/cancer_centers.htm

All I can say is good luck and be mighty careful.

Hi Herson,
I'm going to stick my neck out here and hope you won't think I'm being to nosey. Does your mom want you to go to this extent? You don't need to answer the question, and I'm sorry if it offends you.
Minnie

Minnie,

Its no problem, thats why im here, to take and give information, feedback, personal input etc,

I haven't told my mom about the 6 months, but I what I was planning on doing was to send out mom's information to a couple of hospitals outside of Canada .. and see what they have to say.

If they think something can be done or improve her standard of living than its something I will tell her, but if it comes back the same then .. yeah

I just want a second opinion and since the Hospital we currently are going to is the leading cancer hospital in Canada, I'm thinking that its probably good to go somewhere in the US. I was thinking New York, something thats not to far, .. but i dont know

let me know your thoughts .. obviously .. you can tell i dont have a clue what im doing lol

H

Herson:

I dont know if this helps. I was treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital's Cancer Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This hospital is number 48 out of all the cancer treatment centers in the United States. I was given cisplatin and chemo, for me it worked, my first PET scan showed the cancer was gone. I dont know what alternative treatments the hospital offers. All I can say is it worked for me, everyone is different and has varying degrees of this awful disease. As a parent, I see what a great son you are to your mom trying to get her help. Is there any other doctors in your area that could give you a second opinion and maybe other options?

You are very young to be assuming the burden you have undertaken. Even when we are older it is overwhelming to face a parent's illness and feel helpless. Is there anyone else in the family or a friend who you can talk to? As difficult as it may be, you must realize that your mother is entitled to a say. Ask her if you have her permission to consult with other facilities.
Please remember that doctors were given permission to heal, not to predict. Don't be so afraid of the "6 months." Read some of the stories here and you will see that doctors are neither mathematicians nor prophets.
You are at a very fine facility. Speak with the doctors involved in your mother's treatment and ask them if they have any suggestions beyond the care she is now receiving. It is never an insult to a doctor to request a consult. The doctors at such a facility have a better knowledge of who may offer the best input on your mother's care than can any lay person. Also if you do decide on a consult, exact information on your mother's history including all treatments, tests,etc. can be transfered properly, easily and precisely between the facilities. There should be some omsbudsman, case worker or some such who can help you with this.
May the One whose commandment to honor your mother you are so lovingly fulfilling give you the strenght to go forward with whatever you decide.

Malka,

Your right, at any age its very overwhelming .. its something being the oldest of 3, i feel i need to do... of course i respect her wishes, but thought theres no harm in getting a second opinion. I just feel the doctors are giving up by telling me the drugs are not working .. giving up is not something ive been taught..

As for talking to others about this, ive stopped, everyone has an opinion, i just personally dont feel like talking about it ..

i dont know if its the 6 months that bothers me .. or the fact they can actually sit there and say 6 months, i personally know one person who was given 1 year for lung cancer and lived almost 3 years .. but I do plan on consulting all the doctors at the current hospital before deciding what to do

thanks!

I find your statement "i haven't told Mum about the six months yet" quite astounding really.Your Mum is a relatively young woman,and i presume in control of all her facultys,so why are you being given information about her that she is unaware of?

As a woman of a similar age i am not sure i would appreciate either of my children making decisions on my behalf,without even consulting me,let alone discussing the plans they had with other people.
My personal opinion is that the only person you should be speaking to is your Mother,who may appreciate a little honesty,and i am sure will have her own wishes about her future.

The thought of losing a parent at such a young age is devastating i know,i lost my own Father at the age of 51,but you can't let your feelings over rule her rights to make her own choices,and whatever they are you must respect them,even if they are not what you would wish.

I hope you dont think i am being harsh,i just feel like someone needs to point out your mums possible point of view,and also to say you could be treading on dangerous ground if she finds out from another source.

good luck liz

Liz,
I agree with you on this one. 100%... 50 is young... believe you me!