| | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I need help with a different cancer.
One of my employees has been battling breast cancer for a few years now. Treatment at Moffitt. Has a family history of this cancer. Double mastectomy. Single Mom who adopted 3 sisters to spare them from being separated (same mom all different dads) with the oldest in high school. Was told yesterday it's back in numerous spots and told chemo only option and expect to live 2-4 years. BAM
Obviously I've told her to call other CCC's but since Moffitt is telling her this I suspect their correct but I told her she just can't give up.
Anyone have ANY suggestions.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Tell her to look into clinical trials. It's sooo difficult, I would also have her check out what is available at other ccc's not all have the same trials going on. And I know you are not necessarily a proponent of this but I have a friend who works for a dr. who deals primarily with breast cancers, she is friends with some of the terminal patients, and a few who've been told there's no hope have found a better quality of life by pursuing regular treatment and combining it with a naturopathic diet and supplements (as long as they don't go against regular treatment). It certainly can't hurt as eating a healthy diet is good for you.
wish her luck and I will say a prayer.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | From watching a couple others go thru breast cancer I have learned it is VERY different than OC. BC patients can go for years on chemo and still function fairly well. They arent devastatingly sick like what happens to OC patients. They may have an off day here and there but its not severe reactions to the chemo. Of course that is for those who have simpler cases.
You did the right thing and told her to go for a second opinion at a CCC.
Best wishes to this kind lady. She sounds like a good person.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | |
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