Re: Stents - Re: Looks like Mom is going back to the h...

[Guest guest]

DanaFerber is really great. I have a sister in Gloucester with breast

cancer(6 years)

and when my husband was first diagnosed we called them askin for a referral

here

and got the names of two oncologists and debated between UM'S Sylvester

Comprhensive Cancer Center and treatment closer to home(I don't drive) Since

both

the oncs and surgeons were close and our pcp recommended them we chose to

use Baptist Hospital and the Oncology and Hematology Group of South Florida.

We e-mailed many centers,universities and groups and the protocol was the

same.

Our major problem came when the hispital dropped our insurance but the onc.

did not

(thank God) and we had a problem because our last name is n and they

always wanted to call him Mr. Nicolas and it caused some confusion,but that was

straightened . He was born in Cuba but has lived here 50+ years and became a

citizen in 61. We met and married here(1960) raised our kids here,our grandkids

,so

ar,all born here and the cancer treatment centers from the Shands Teaching

Hospital,to orlando,Jacksoinville,Tampa to here are as up to date as anywhere.

Sometimes some physicians don't like to discuss things. I ask,(my New England

Background) We read,contact people everywhere and follow all the new meds and

procedures. The onc we have is on top of everything,and he has been extremely

kind to Nick and I. It is hard dealing on a daily basis with hundreds of

patients in

varying stages of cancer. They have specialists in all areas and sometimes

when

you see someone who has been coming for a long time it hurts to see them

debilitated but great to see them get better. Mostly they smile,compare notes

and

we see them in stores,or the library or the mall. You just have to pick

yourself up,

dust yourself off,and start all over agin. Enjoy the gooddays,endure the bad

ones and look for the silver lining. Easy to say and sometimes hard to do.

Smiles make things

easier,and talking helps. We have learned a lot from these boards,and people

send

us clippings and notes which make things very pleasant. Have a great

week.Nick & Jane

[Guest guest]

ERICA: We all have the same thoughts sometimes,they overwhelm us. Take it

one step,one day and keep an open mind. Be positive,yes things can change

overnight. Why? Only God knows and He may talk to us but we don't always

listen. Everybody will keep you both in their thought,send prayers upwards

and

you hold on to the thought that the end of the rainbow doesn't necessarily

mean

a pot of gold,but a different way of life. Quality of life is important.

Maybe all you

need is a time out for a couple of weeks. Reality is often hard to accept. I

really

do beliee in the power of prayer,and of positive thinking,and you are not

being

selfish to want to keep your mom(means you have a great relationship) Hang in

don't give up,every corner reveal something new and every dawn is a new

beginning.

Peace and love Jane & Nick

[Guest guest]

We have some Jewish friends,one greeting they sent us " I wish you strength

of spirit,health of body and peace of mind " The interval must have done some

good. So dont't debate and debate and quesion and question. Enjoy the good,

accept the bad days and endure,if they get too bad seek help. Kind of like

kenny Rodger, You goota know when to hold em and when to fold em " Just

don't give up,think I will survive.you will xxoo N & J

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/11/2003 5:36:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,

erica259@... writes:

, I have to be honest here... I was not prepared for things to happen

this fast.. I never thought that this would happen.. things were going so well..

so smooth for so long..I don't think one is ever prepared for it....I tend to

block it to the best of my ability and try to keep hope alive and well with

thoughts of the new treatments on the horizon,

a,

I'm not sure how prepared we ever can be for some of the twists and turns

that life deals us, and certainly not some of the wiliest ones that cancer

delivers. This is one fearsome roller coaster ride and unfortunately I've never

been one to care for coasters to start with.

The best I think we can do is what I see you doing - gasping, then taking a

deep breathe and plunging in...for information, for support, for help of

whatever kind can be had. Hanging on and doing the next thing that is in front

of

you to do, one step at a time.

You are a wonderful advocate for your mom and I hope and pray that her docs

will be better able to help her because of that.

Terry in GA

[Guest guest]

a,

I hope the surgery relieves the symptoms and puts your Mom back on the road

to recovery.

You are a great daughter and she is blessed to have you advocating for her.

You hang in there and don't stop believing.

God Bless

Narice