#4144 10-24-2004 05:42 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hello All,
There has been a change in my treatment plan. Before I go into that I wanted to Thank All who responded to my earlier post about MD Andarson.
It's very humbling to have so many members pulling for me.
MD Anderson wanted to see the report of the MRI I had last Monday the 18th. The report showed minimal change in the original operative bed. The cancer hasn't grown enough to warrent a change in treatment. MD Anderson told me they would be treating me the same as I am being treated here in Wisconsin. I am receiving Carboplatin & Taxol once a week for three weeks followed by a week off. I will be receiving this until the end of the year. In January I will receive another scan.
MD Anderson would have seen me if the scan had shown growth or distint metastasis. The scan showed none of this.
Just for your information MDACC needs a $5,000.00
deposit for four consulation's. About $17,000.00 for a 7 day evaluation and if treatment would follow anywhere from $40,000.00 to $60,000.00 for that. That would all be out of pocket. My insurance pays almost 100% of my treatment here.
After thinking about all the options I have deceided to stay in Wisconsin and receive my treatment here.
I hope you can understand my decision and not think of me as giving up. It was a decision I made in my and my family's interest.
Thanks for supporting me, Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#4145 10-24-2004 06:09 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Dear danny
First of all let me say, thank goodness things are not getting any worse. They obviusly have given you the best advice, no point in spending money you dont have to be told the same thing you already know.
Danny, you have our support no matter what decisions you make, this is such a hard time for you and your family and we all want the very best for you.
Hang in there Danny, you have been so strong through this nightmare time and you will beat this " Bastard of a disease " as you call it!
We are praying really hard for all of you.
Take care
Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#4146 10-24-2004 06:17 AM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 546 | Danny Boy, I have been wondering where you have been lately. Haven't seen you post much, was getting worried and was going to e-mail you today to ask how you've been. Anyway, as I said before, you have my complete support, no matter what. In a small corner of my mind, I am disappointed you're not going to MDACC. In the reasonable, sane portion of my mind (if I have such a thing left!) I completely understand your decision. If in your shoes, I think I would have made the same choice. And hey, the scan results are good! That's fantastic and it's a darn good reason to cancel @ MDACC. You can always go later if things change. And there are other places, maybe closer and covered by your ins, where you can get a second opinion if you still want one. All things considered, I think you made a good decision. Only one thing left to do...........kick this cancer in the you-know-what!  Rosie
Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.
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#4147 10-24-2004 08:25 AM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 188 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 188 Likes: 1 | Danny, Hidden in there somewhere is some good news. MDACC says they would be treating you the same way you're currently being treated. That sounds pretty reassuring. And the scan results also sound like progress! No sense spending big money to be told that. I'm sure I'd have made the same decision in your situation. Hopefully the Taxol and Carbo will work their magic, and MDACC won't be necessary. You have to know that you have the full support of everyone here in these difficult times. Good Health GO BEARS Chuck
SCC Stage IV right tonsil T3N3M0. Dx 08/03. Clinical Trial:8 weeks Taxol, Carboplatin then Hydrea, 5FU, IMRT x's 48, SND, Iressa x 2yrs. Now 20 years out and thriving. Dealing with a Prostate cancer diagnosis now. Add a Bladder cancer diagnosis to all the fun.
It's always something
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
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#4148 10-24-2004 11:52 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Dear Dan Such good news that your disease hasn't grown with current treatment - so why travel to receive the same. Follow your heart and stay in the loving arms of your family and community for now. Best wishes for your treatment with love from Helen 
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#4149 10-24-2004 12:00 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Danny Boy, pulling for you and praying for you!! Love, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#4150 10-24-2004 01:03 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Danny, good to hear that the cancer hasn't progressed and MD Anderson seems to think you're getting the proper treatment. When we talked in Vegas it sounded like the place in Wisconson had pretty much "written you off" and that's what was getting you upset. Hopefully they are changing their tune and their attitude. The fact that it hasn't progressed is a positive note.
Thinking of you and your family and hoping for the best.
Bob
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
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#4151 10-24-2004 01:11 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 117 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 117 | Dan,
I think you've gotten gotten all good news: your cancer hasn't gotten worse, the treatment you are getting is the best available, and you get to keep all of your hard earned money! Congratulations! If things change and you need to go you know you've still got MDACC in your back pocket.
Barb
SCC tongue, stage I (T1N0M0), partial glossectomy and modified neck dissection 7/1/03
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#4152 10-24-2004 05:17 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Danny,
It must have made you feel good that you are getting the same treatment you would get at MD Anderson. I'm happy you get to stay at home.
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#4153 10-24-2004 11:37 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 30 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 30 | Danny,
I think you made the right decision and I support you. It sounds like good news to me. I would have made the same decision. you're in my prayers.
Mary Lee | | |
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