Daisy,

I know things are coming fast and I am sorry for your news and the shock of it all. I am interested, too, in where you are in Texas. Even in Dallas, there is a good comprehensive cancer center, probably the next National Comprehensive Cancer Network member. MD Anderson in Houston will also do a teleconference with other doctors for an expedited second opinion.

Eileen's advice to take someone along on appointments is great advice. Your first doctor may have painted a bleak picture by a handful of words and it only makes it more difficult to think through and process all the doctors are saying when you are feeling like you were just kicked in the gut, as you describe it.

Arm yourself with all the information you can to help make the best decision possible. Find the team that you have the most confidence in and keep moving forward.

Best wishes,

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023