new to group

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

Thanks to you for the information. I will follow through now that I can find

your website.

I am really out of the loop. Is GO for Graves Disease or ?? I thought Graves

was GD in short.

Frannie

[Guest guest]

Hi Frannie,

GD is Graves' disease and GO is Graves' Ophthalmopathy, the associated eye

disease. Sometimes it's called thyroid eye disease or TED. Take care, Elaine

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

When I was on your web site, I didn't see the publishers phone number or web

addie...I put it out from and earlier e-mail you had sent that the book was

coming out. Hope that is okay, but you may want to include them on your web

site.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Frannie,

GO is for Graves Opthomology (sp?) It is the eye disease that many of us

get. Especially those of us that have had RAI. GD is Graves Disease

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Dear Frannie,

I am so sorry to hear of your suffering with Graves'. I hope this

group can help you through this experience. They are a great group of

people who are very giving and helpful. You couldn't buy better

support, I don't believe.

I am living in California, in Sonoma county. It is near the SF bay

area. What part will you be moving to?

> Hello,

> I want to introduce myself and give a little history of my battle

with

> Graves Disease. I was diagnosed in 1991,after two years of anti-

> thyroid medications, RAI was done. I developed TED, have had

orbital

> decompression and now have diplopia. What a nightmare all this has

> been. My health for the past 5 years has been terrible and I am

> trying to find some answers. I followed all the advice of my MD's,

> too sick to figure anything out for myself. My thyroid has not been

> checked for a little over a year.

> We are in the middle of a move from Indiana to California.

> I plan to locate a doctor for a blood test soon, to try and

determine

> what is going on.

> I would guess I am hypo, currently, but am not sure.

> In my opinion, all of the doctors looked at the blood work and

> ignored what I was telling them about how I felt. I would guess at

> this point, I need more T4, am not coverting to T3 properly, or T3

is

> not getting into the cells.

> I have also been diagnosed with metal toxicity, which effects the

> thyroid function.

>

> I welcome infomation from any and all of you, as well as your

support.

> Has anyone been down this road? The last eye doctor, strabimus

> surgeon said my diplopia was not going to improve with surgery, as

he

> considered it so slight. I wish they were all looking through my

eyes.

> If I can get some health back, maybe I will have the strength to

see

> if there is any real help available. I think a current blood test

and

> possible med change is the first priority.

>

> I found this group trying to get to Elaine's website. Now I can't

> seem to do that. I would like to order the book she has written.

Let

> me know where I saw that info please.

> Regards,

> Frannie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jody,

Why don't you try it again? I have added a separate page, i think it's the

second page link, that says " my Graves disease book, " which has info and the

table of contents.

[Guest guest]

I will be moving to Ventura, Oxnard area. I lived in Sonoma county for six

months last year. It is a beautiful place. I hope to return their often once

my husband comes here on a full time basis. My daughter moved from St. Helena

to Colorado in November so I moved south in search of a helpful doctor.

How do I figure out the first name of the replied e-mails when it is not a

part of the e-mail addy?

Frannie

[Guest guest]

Hi Frannie,

So interesting that you used to live in my neighborhood. Maybe we

will meet one day when you are up here for a visit. I hope you find a

good doctor in the south. I found a very good one, I am told, in San

Francisco, so if it doesn't work out for you down there...

As far as the first names, you are at our mercy if we don't sign

our posts.

F

> I will be moving to Ventura, Oxnard area. I lived in Sonoma county

for six

> months last year. It is a beautiful place. I hope to return their

often once

> my husband comes here on a full time basis. My daughter moved from

St. Helena

> to Colorado in November so I moved south in search of a helpful

doctor.

> How do I figure out the first name of the replied e-mails when it

is not a

> part of the e-mail addy?

>

> Frannie

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

It's good to hear that RAI worked out for you. In my case, I really didn't

have problems for several years, other than developing pretibial myxedema. I

moved between a 0.125 and 0.15 dose of Synthroid for the most part, but as I

became more hypothyroid, I was told my symptoms of sleep apnea, high

cholesterol, etc. weren't thyroid related. Now on a proper replacement dose

that includes T3 (Armour thyroid, a glandular extract), I feel much better

but have never felt as good as I did before RAI. My eyes have never looked

the same either. While I don't have overt Graves' ophthalmopathy, I do have

some of the periorbital edema or swelling, and congestive infiltration that

occur with GO. I also have an atrophied pancreas, that is likely a result of

RAI as all the organs that concentrate iodine can be affected. And I

developed another autoimmune disorder, celiac disease, likely because the

original immune system dysfunction that caused GD was never addressed.

[Guest guest]

Trish,

Welcome! I have not had the RAI but 2 young boys or not tiredness and

inability to lose weight are both symptoms of hypo.

I'm sure some of the more experienced folks here will have more to

add...but how long since you've had some blood work? Do you know if

your thyroid has been functioning at all on it's own? And have you

been checked regularly to see if you need to up your dose of of

synthroid.

I believe that some folks have problems with the RAI because it's

permanent, there's no going back. Once your thyroid is dead, it's just

dead.

In any event, welcome to the group, I know I love it here, so many

helpful and wonderful and well informed people.

Val

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

Welcome to the group.

I'm sure others will reply to your question about why we regret the RAI

also...but first I wanted to give you a URL that many of us RAIers also

belong to. The archives there will give you a lot of information also.

Which form of treatment someone chooses is totally up to the individual.

RAI is a permanent treatment that can cause problems. You will see my anger

and frustration as I tell you my reasons because my dr. was not honest with

me and when I think back to that time I still feel very betrayed by the

dr...and I was brought up to trust and respect drs. not challenge them,

after all they 'know best' Not always they don't and not for every person.

Anyhow, if you see my anger, know it is NOT directed at you It is my

frustration to deal with

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AtomicWomen

I had RAI over 5 years ago now, being bullied into, actually lied to about

it and what it would do, and as I was so very sick with GD at the time and

didn't have a computer I went along...oh my, never rock a boat with a

dr....NOT!

Anyhow, I was left to go hypo, was not given proper labs after it, my dosage

never changed for over 4 years and I felt miserable. All the hypO symptoms

and I still have a lot of them, though I now have a wonderful endo who runs

the labs, adjusts the meds and we are both working to find what I need to

feel GOOD again, not even asking for great...GOOD will do. And with her and

being on Armour I do feel better than I have in many many years.

About a year and a half ago I started looking up GD while being very

depressed do to being hypo and found one Graves board that lead me to here

and have learned so very very much. And I guess besides how I feel the

biggest thing about RAI is WHY do drs. and hospitals think it is perfectly

okay to destroy a body's organ or gland when the disease is a disease of the

immune system, not the gland? Especially when it is as important to daily

life as our thyroid is to each and everyone of us! The only thing I can

believe and I learned from reading is because it is easier for drs. and

cheaper for insurance companies to destroy a part of our body...then put

them on a daily pill and leave them go.

Once that is done and we are still tired, exhausted, not able to

concentrate, can't find the right word we are looking for, hair falling out,

weight gain, painful feet, sore legs, Graves Ophthalmology (which is

exasperated by RAI)...they tell us " your graves is taken care of these

problems are all in your head " here take a prozac (or paxil or zoloft one of

the other zombie drugs out there) and leave us to feel like crap and sink

deeper into depression.

This group and the people here have helped to educate me so I don't take

that attitude from drs. anymore, I refuse to let them get away with it...if

they are that arrogant then I get rid of them. There are good endos out

there that do care that continue to learn and listen to their patients and

believe them, I have one as do many others here.

Does your dr. listen to you? Does he/she run regular labs on you? Adjust

your dose if need be? Do any of the following symptoms apply to you?

Hypo

Aversion to cold

Brain stops working (Brain Fog)

Can't get moving

Can't spell own name

Depression

Dry, brittle hair

Eyebrows stop growing

Feeling like a slug; no energy

Feeling of being overwhelmed

Headache

Heavy menses & cramping

High cholesterol & triglyceride levels

Inability to be self-directed or stay on task

Irregular heart rate (bradycardia)

Joint pain

Long menstrual cycle

Loss of memory

Nails that split, break, get thickened

Never " right " temperature; internal thermostat not working

Panic attacks

Premature birth

Puffy eyes, face, hands, feet

Severe hair loss

Severe weight gain even when not eating much

Sleep apnea

Sleepy all day, insomnia at night

Still birth

Suicidal thoughts

Thick, dry tongue

Unable to stop crying although not " sad "

Eyes

Bad night vision

Blurring of vision

Bulging eyes

Double vision

Dry eyes

Eyestrain

Inability to close eyes to sleep

Lid lag

Sensitive to light, even indoors

Staring

Swelling of eyes

Tearing

Ulceration

If so, what does your dr. say when you complain about them? If any do fit

you, don't let them blame it on your having little ones, your life

style...read and learn here and get lab work done regularly if need be.

I am glad that after 2 years you are doing good with your current treatment

and hopefully you will continue to do well and your dr. is keeping an eye on

things. There are some out there that do just fine and maybe you will be

one of them

If you are pregnant (can't remember) or will be, make sure your FT3/FT4 are

checked to make sure you don't go hypO during pregnancy as it can cause some

problems for the baby and can make the baby hypO also.

Anyhow, take care, read the archives, watch for hypO symptoms, especially if

you are expecting, it is important...and jump in with questions and

comments!

Take care,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Val,

I just got my blood work done again, and no change. I think its just

my TSH that gets checked. That's all I need, right? Don't know if my

thyroid is functioning at all on its own. Its great to meet you!

Trish

> Trish,

>

> Welcome! I have not had the RAI but 2 young boys or not tiredness

and

> inability to lose weight are both symptoms of hypo.

>

> I'm sure some of the more experienced folks here will have more to

> add...but how long since you've had some blood work? Do you know if

> your thyroid has been functioning at all on it's own? And have you

> been checked regularly to see if you need to up your dose of of

> synthroid.

>

> I believe that some folks have problems with the RAI because it's

> permanent, there's no going back. Once your thyroid is dead, it's

just

> dead.

>

> In any event, welcome to the group, I know I love it here, so many

> helpful and wonderful and well informed people.

>

> Val

[Guest guest]

Jody,

I get blood work done every 6 months right now, and I think its just

my TSH that gets checked. I'm wondering if what you're saying is that

some people still feel the effects of hypothyroidism even if they are

supposedly on the right amount of synthroid? And if so, why?

I've always been under the impression that you just need to get the

right dose of synthroid to bring your TSH where it should be and

that's it, finito, with regular checks for necessary changes in

dosage. Is this not so?

Thanks for welcoming me!

Trish

> Hi Trish,

> Welcome to the group.

>

> I'm sure others will reply to your question about why we regret the

RAI

> also...but first I wanted to give you a URL that many of us RAIers

also

> belong to. The archives there will give you a lot of information

also.

>

> Which form of treatment someone chooses is totally up to the

individual.

> RAI is a permanent treatment that can cause problems. You will see

my anger

> and frustration as I tell you my reasons because my dr. was not

honest with

> me and when I think back to that time I still feel very betrayed by

the

> dr...and I was brought up to trust and respect drs. not challenge

them,

> after all they 'know best' Not always they don't and not for every

person.

> Anyhow, if you see my anger, know it is NOT directed at you It

is my

> frustration to deal with

>

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AtomicWomen

>

> I had RAI over 5 years ago now, being bullied into, actually lied

to about

> it and what it would do, and as I was so very sick with GD at the

time and

> didn't have a computer I went along...oh my, never rock a boat with

a

> dr....NOT!

>

> Anyhow, I was left to go hypo, was not given proper labs after it,

my dosage

> never changed for over 4 years and I felt miserable. All the hypO

symptoms

> and I still have a lot of them, though I now have a wonderful endo

who runs

> the labs, adjusts the meds and we are both working to find what I

need to

> feel GOOD again, not even asking for great...GOOD will do. And

with her and

> being on Armour I do feel better than I have in many many years.

>

> About a year and a half ago I started looking up GD while being

very

> depressed do to being hypo and found one Graves board that lead me

to here

> and have learned so very very much. And I guess besides how I feel

the

> biggest thing about RAI is WHY do drs. and hospitals think it is

perfectly

> okay to destroy a body's organ or gland when the disease is a

disease of the

> immune system, not the gland? Especially when it is as important

to daily

> life as our thyroid is to each and everyone of us! The only thing

I can

> believe and I learned from reading is because it is easier for drs.

and

> cheaper for insurance companies to destroy a part of our

body...then put

> them on a daily pill and leave them go.

>

> Once that is done and we are still tired, exhausted, not able to

> concentrate, can't find the right word we are looking for, hair

falling out,

> weight gain, painful feet, sore legs, Graves Ophthalmology (which

is

> exasperated by RAI)...they tell us " your graves is taken care of

these

> problems are all in your head " here take a prozac (or paxil or

zoloft one of

> the other zombie drugs out there) and leave us to feel like crap

and sink

> deeper into depression.

>

> This group and the people here have helped to educate me so I don't

take

> that attitude from drs. anymore, I refuse to let them get away with

it...if

> they are that arrogant then I get rid of them. There are good

endos out

> there that do care that continue to learn and listen to their

patients and

> believe them, I have one as do many others here.

>

> Does your dr. listen to you? Does he/she run regular labs on you?

Adjust

> your dose if need be? Do any of the following symptoms apply to

you?

>

> Hypo

> Aversion to cold

> Brain stops working (Brain Fog)

> Can't get moving

> Can't spell own name

> Depression

> Dry, brittle hair

> Eyebrows stop growing

> Feeling like a slug; no energy

> Feeling of being overwhelmed

> Headache

> Heavy menses & cramping

> High cholesterol & triglyceride levels

> Inability to be self-directed or stay on task

> Irregular heart rate (bradycardia)

> Joint pain

> Long menstrual cycle

> Loss of memory

> Nails that split, break, get thickened

> Never " right " temperature; internal thermostat not working

> Panic attacks

> Premature birth

> Puffy eyes, face, hands, feet

> Severe hair loss

> Severe weight gain even when not eating much

> Sleep apnea

> Sleepy all day, insomnia at night

> Still birth

> Suicidal thoughts

> Thick, dry tongue

> Unable to stop crying although not " sad "

>

> Eyes

> Bad night vision

> Blurring of vision

> Bulging eyes

> Double vision

> Dry eyes

> Eyestrain

> Inability to close eyes to sleep

> Lid lag

> Sensitive to light, even indoors

> Staring

> Swelling of eyes

> Tearing

> Ulceration

>

> If so, what does your dr. say when you complain about them? If any

do fit

> you, don't let them blame it on your having little ones, your life

> style...read and learn here and get lab work done regularly if need

be.

>

> I am glad that after 2 years you are doing good with your current

treatment

> and hopefully you will continue to do well and your dr. is keeping

an eye on

> things. There are some out there that do just fine and maybe you

will be

> one of them

>

> If you are pregnant (can't remember) or will be, make sure your

FT3/FT4 are

> checked to make sure you don't go hypO during pregnancy as it can

cause some

> problems for the baby and can make the baby hypO also.

>

> Anyhow, take care, read the archives, watch for hypO symptoms,

especially if

> you are expecting, it is important...and jump in with questions and

> comments!

>

> Take care,

> Jody

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

I no longer take synthroid, it didn't work for me at any dose. I am

currently on Armour Thyroid, it is natural rather than synthetic (from pigs)

and it contains T3 and T4 as well as T1 and T2 but I have no idea what the

last 2 do. The T3 is what has made all the difference in me. At least my

mind works better than it had in a long time.

As for the TSH...well this is my opinion, I need to stress that, others will

jump in too I am sure...but it is a test of the Pituitary and is great for

checking to see if there is a thyroid problem...but I have NO faith in them

for regular checkups. My dr. also orders a TSH but now she is also giving

me the FT3 (Free T3 and Free T4) tests that I have much more faith in to

find out where I am, do I need my meds increased/decreased...and to

eventually find the right dose for me.

I don't think that is going to happen with Armour, not at this point so my

personal goal is to get her to prescribe a compound of time released T3 and

T4. It will take some time even then to find what will work for me. We are

all different in what our bodies need, and one should keep that in mind.

Hopefully Elaine will jump in here (please ;-) and explain these so much

better than I can, exactly what the tests are/do etc. She has the background

to do this. But you can read her articles on Suite 101 as well as her posts

in the archives here.

I don't know if every 6 months is what is needed or not. If you are doing

well, then maybe it is. If, however, any of the hypo symptoms pertain to

you, then, no a TSH and every six months is probably not enough.

I will suggest that you begin reading the archives here and write down any

questions you have, if you don't find the answers in the posts to follow,

throw them out to group and someone can help. Also, if any of the eye

symptoms in that list pertain to you, find an ophthalmologist who is

familiar with treating GO and begin getting checked out NOW so there is a

base line. My first endo told me I was fortunate I had no eye involvement.

Five years later, I most certainly do and will see an optho next month.

Read, be aware of what your body is telling you, and ask questions We are

all in this together. Hope some of this helps.

Take care,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Tricia-

TSH is not enough once you've had RAI. They should also be testing your

thyroid hormone levels. Especially if you don't feel quite right.

I was 24 when I had RAI. I was kept hypothyroid (for me) afterwards. Every

woman in my family has a TSH ranging from 0.50-1.5. Mine was kept at

2.5-4.0. Once my thyroid completely died 6 years post-RAI, I really started

having trouble. I was having swelling, muscle aches and pains, arthritis,

" sick " fatigue, anxiety and panic attacks, acne, sleep apnea, dry, cracked

and bleeding skin, digestive problems, neuropathies and infertility. Jeeps!

I was only 30 years old at the time.

I guess I could have had infertility anyways but no one in my family has

that problem and they have babies late in life. I've been tested for

ovarian reserve (oldness) and don't have any problems on that score. It

took me almost 3 years to get pregnant with my first (6 years post-RAI) and

now I'm still not having any luck and have been trying for 2 1/2 years.

Most of the problems have cleared up or gotten better once I supplemented

with T3. I had very low FT3 levels but had never been tested for that

before. I was found to have trouble converting T4 (supplemental thyroid

hormone) to T3 (active thyroid hormone) after RAI. It took many years to

get as bad as it did.

With my endo's blessing, I now have a TSH of <0.01 (N=0.35-5.50), FT3 = 4.2

(N=2.4-4.5), and FT4 = 1.66 (N=-0.75-2.00). We could not get my FT3 (or

total T3) levels in the normal range relying upon my TSH. So I was

hypothyroid before even though my TSH was mid-normal.

It took me over 11 years to find this endo. I can't blame the other doctors

because I thought the problems I was having were autoimmune in nature too

and couldn't be treated.

Take care,

> Jody,

> I get blood work done every 6 months right now, and I think its just

> my TSH that gets checked. I'm wondering if what you're saying is that

> some people still feel the effects of hypothyroidism even if they are

> supposedly on the right amount of synthroid? And if so, why?

>

> I've always been under the impression that you just need to get the

> right dose of synthroid to bring your TSH where it should be and

> that's it, finito, with regular checks for necessary changes in

> dosage. Is this not so?

>

> Thanks for welcoming me!

> Trish

[Guest guest]

Trish,

The TSH is a pituitary, not a thyroid hormone. In normal people with an

intact pituitary-thyroid-hypothalamic network system, the TSH reflects how

much thyroid hormone is in your blood. Once you have been hyperthyroid for

some time, this network system does not always function properly. The TSH

test is designed for diagnosing hypothyroid and hyperthyroidism but not

necessarily for monitoring therapy. Blood levels of your thyroid hormones, T4

or FT4 and T3 or FT3 are better indicators of your thyroid hormone status.

Many people who are monitored by TSH alone after RAI are actually hypothyroid

despite having a normal TSH. The only way to tell is to have thyroid hormone

levels tested.

[Guest guest]

HI Trish,

Sorry you've got GD, but I am glad you are here because this is a

good place and I hope your pregnancy goes well!

F

[Guest guest]

,

I'm not prego but thanks for welcoming me:o)

Trish

> HI Trish,

> Sorry you've got GD, but I am glad you are here because this is

a

> good place and I hope your pregnancy goes well!

> F

[Guest guest]

Hi :

You did not post too much about your history or exactly where things

are at with regard to your diagnosis. Perhaps you don't know yet.

You are in the right place for information and its terrific that you

are already motivated to find out, because the more knowledge you are

armed with the better prepared you are to deal with your own

situation. I see from another note that you've checked out the

Links. One general article that is a good start is:

http://www.curetoday.com/backissues/v1n4/feature/colon/index.html

(This was posted on the Links by (who has so much knowledge)

but no longer accessible when you click on it, I went to the main

curetoday web site and just kind of found my way to it). This

article talks about treatment options post surgery.

Have you had surgery yet? It is so important that people who are

first diagnosed know that finding an excellent surgeon is so

important (again there is info on this sight about surgical

techniques and lots of people more experienced than I who could

answer questions about this).

www.cancer.gov is a website you can use to find out about different

clinical trials that are going on. You can do an advanced search in

the clinical trials section and find out about trials close to you.

This was an important starting point for us cause we were then able

to ask the oncologist lots of questions.

We asked for a second opinion at a major cancer treatment centre

(Princess Margaret Hospital) in Toronto. My mom's oncologist was

happy to refer her, and once we got the second opinion we returned

closer to home, satisfied that that was the best place for her and

feeling that (for now) her oncologist's treatment plan was the best.

We were much more confident about the direction to go in after the

second opinion.

You mentioned that you are 70. Sounds like a young 70! Didn't

mention anything about supports for the two of you or family.

Hopefully your network is strong, but if you need more support (say

for drives, house cleaning etc...) start asking now. The Cancer

Society is a good place to start. There are some great programs in

place. At least you'll know what's out there in case you need to

call in an extra support later on.

Just wanted to say to you that when we found out about my mom's colon

cancer it was all very overwhelming at first. There is a lot of

information to gather and sort through, and for us there were lots of

up and down feelings that went along with that. Not to mention the

up and down physical feelings that go along with the cancer, surgery

etc.

The info I am sending back is very general - there are lots of very

informed and experienced people on this site - we are just beginning

our journey with colon cancer (mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer

metastasized throughout her abdominal cavity in August - she's 66).

Wishing you all the best at the beginning of this difficult journey.

Hope to see you again in the messages.

Laurie

P.S. Just wanted to also let you know that my mother and my two year

old and I went pumpkin picking out at a farm today - enjoyed a hot

apple cider and the beautiful fall colours. She's feeling very well

after three courses of chemo and I notice her energy level seems to

get better every day right now. Best wishes.

> Hi all , my wife and i just found out that i have colon cancer.This

> is all new to me , i have never been in a hospital in my life. I am

> now 70 years of age. Any info for my wife and I would be greatly

> appreaciate . Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Hello,my name is Nick, I am 72 and have had colon cancer since 1999. I have

just recently started a new program with 5FU,LV,Oxy,and Avastin. I have had

two

ports. I do not have a bag,and I think here you will find many

kind,wonderful,warm

people with the same syptoms,in various stages all willing to share. Good

luck.

Have faith in yourself and believe you can lick this thing. Nick M

[Guest guest]

Kathy..that's good news. I keep asking my onc.,why not xeloda but he says

try this ,i have fiath in him so I am going it his way. Your dad could be an

inspiration to the man who just wrote,70,never been in a hospital and has

colon cancer. Nick

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick --

How were you able to get Avastin?

Barry

> Hello,my name is Nick, I am 72 and have had colon cancer since

1999. I have

> just recently started a new program with 5FU,LV,Oxy,and Avastin. I

have had

> two

> ports. I do not have a bag,and I think here you will find many

> kind,wonderful,warm

> people with the same syptoms,in various stages all willing to

share. Good

> luck.

> Have faith in yourself and believe you can lick this thing. Nick M

[Guest guest]

You need some time out, a little space,and to treat yourselves to a day or

two somewhere. If that's not possible maybe someone can come in and give you

a breather(say four hours or so once a week. Works wonders.Sometimes you have

to vent,nothing wrong in that and it clears your system and lowers the blood

pressure.

You sound very together and up to date. Prayers and hugs Nick & Jane

[Guest guest]

Kaye..there are a number of diferent ports. Since I am a man,I am not sure if

a

woman needs to be treated differently,or just where your cancers are. If they

use a pump it would put a lot of stress on the veins but your concologist is

more familiar with you,so he would know. perhaps another woman might offer

more

advice. Take care,prayers and peace Nick & Jane

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I think Donna S. might be able to help you out with a doctor name or

two....you might also try searching some of her old posts as I think

she may have posted some of this info ;o)

If your brother's chemo has been keeping everything stable, I suspect

most oncologists would recommend continuing his current course.

Otherwise, Oxaliplatin is the usual " second line " chemo...and if that

doesn't work, clinical trials would be an option.

Best,

>

> I have been viewing messages from this group for 2 - 3 months and

> have learned a lot from the shared information. I would like to

ask

> for input for my brother's treatment. So here goes...

>

> My 39 yr. old brother () was diagnosed on 08/2003 with colon

> cancer. He has 9 tumors in his liver and two tiny tumors in his

lung

> as well. I guess this makes him stage IV. He started chemo (IFL?)

> in Sept. 2003 and next week finishs his second " cylce " of this

chemo

> next Thursday. Sometime shortly after that his doctor wants to re-

> scan to see the results of the chemo. After meeting with his

current

> doctor for the re-scan results, he is going to MD in

> Houston, TX for another opinion on his treatment options.

>

> Can anyone recommend a doctor at the MD Anderons facility? At this

> point he is going to MD via self-referral and is not

> familiar with any doctors at MD . He may get a doctor's

> referral, however his current doctor has been very unfriendly and

we

> are not sure he'll be helpful with a referral.

>

> Any suggestions regarding a clinical trial he might try to get into

> or treatment options, treatment centers, etc.. will be greatly

> appreciated.

>

>