Hi,

Has anybody had any experience with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America? Heather is starting to swell again and she has a lot of trouble with nausea. The zofran helps some, but not always. And she is having more trouble with drainage again. Although she still is much better than before, I am getting worried because it seems like she is being treated piecemeal. One doctor treats the nausea, another does the drainage, another the chemo, etc. It seems like no one is looking at the whole picture and I am getting worried that she will start going downhill again.

The chemo does seem to be working, but I don't think the docs are concerned enough about some of the other issues. The nausea is controlled somewhat with the zofran, but not totally. She still is not using the PEG tube for nourishment. For nutrition, she relies totally on the TPN & lipids that she receives intravenously. The open areas in her neck are draining a lot again and are probably infected. Her Hickman (mediport) started leaking and had to be removed, so she just has a PICC line in her arm to receive meds. If she goes back on antibiotics, she will need to have an IV line in her other arm, because sometimes she has 4 or 5 things running at one time. Etc., etc., etc.......

She has improved so much and I just hate to think it is only temporary. But I can't imagine her continuing to improve if they don't get these other issues resolved. I think it is time to take her somewhere where they treat the entire person. Somewhere where they will maybe try natural remedies to help control the nausea, instead of just pushing more zofran. Somewhere where they will work harder to get her back to taking food through the PEG tube and get her off the TPN. Where they might actually try to get her to take food orally again. Since her mouth is opening up, it should be possible, but when I asked about it, I was told it was too soon, that I shouldn't try to rush things.

Maybe I am trying to rush things, but I think they are too content to just sit back and see what happens. I want someone who will take the bull by the horns and get action. I don't want to just sit back and watch while Heather gets worse again. I know she needs to receive the chemo, but I think it is reasonable to add some homeopathic or other remedies to the mix. I just don't know the best place to go to do that. Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!

Rainbows & hugs,
Rosie