RE: Long-term survival with no options?

[Guest guest]

Then I would say that that study doesn’t

apply to you since people with your diagnosis wasn’t included in the study. I

believe your survival would have to include other factors and I have know a lot

of people who have lived just hormones for 15 or more years.

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of dave halvorsen

Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011

3:10 PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re:

Long-term survival with no options?

So what does that say about those of us with advanced PCa where it has

metasised and no other options are being considered other than hormone

treatments. Sounds to me like my survival beyond 2-3 years is unlikely.

Dave Halvorsen

[Guest guest]

dave halvorsen wrote:

> ... The problem is my doctors are not considering any other

> type of options for me. When I go see the oncologist it is the

> same thing I got from the urologist. Cant ask any questions

> because he spends most of the time I am there typing on his

> computer. Cant get any kind of answer to anything except vey

> vague answers. I feel very frustrated. I get my care at the

> V.A. as I dont have to pay for it. I cannot afford to go

> anywhere else. ...

I don't have the answers but I'm inclined to think that Chuck is

right. The treatment you're getting now is so lousy that it

doesn't seem like you have anything to lose by being

confrontational.

You might also be able to make some threats. Consider telling

the guy that you will call or write to your congressman about him

and be prepared to do it. I think most congressmen right now are

very keen to support veterans and the congressman's office might

very well be willing to make a call to the VA to complain about

your treatment.

You can also consider writing to the director of the VA.

Whoever you call or write to, tell them that you have terminal

cancer and you don't have a lot of time for people to argue about

this. You need help now. As a start, you want a prompt

appointment with a better oncologist who knows about prostate

cancer and is willing to help you.

I know that a fight with the VA is not what's on your mind right

now. You just want to get someone to help you. Maybe you could

get someone with experience to help you with this - perhaps

someone at one of the veterans associations. Or perhaps there is

someone in the VA itself. See:

http://www.va.gov/landing2_contact.htm

and perhaps try one of the toll free numbers.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

dave halvorsen wrote:

> ... The problem is my doctors are not considering any other

> type of options for me. When I go see the oncologist it is the

> same thing I got from the urologist. Cant ask any questions

> because he spends most of the time I am there typing on his

> computer. Cant get any kind of answer to anything except vey

> vague answers. I feel very frustrated. I get my care at the

> V.A. as I dont have to pay for it. I cannot afford to go

> anywhere else. ...

I don't have the answers but I'm inclined to think that Chuck is

right. The treatment you're getting now is so lousy that it

doesn't seem like you have anything to lose by being

confrontational.

You might also be able to make some threats. Consider telling

the guy that you will call or write to your congressman about him

and be prepared to do it. I think most congressmen right now are

very keen to support veterans and the congressman's office might

very well be willing to make a call to the VA to complain about

your treatment.

You can also consider writing to the director of the VA.

Whoever you call or write to, tell them that you have terminal

cancer and you don't have a lot of time for people to argue about

this. You need help now. As a start, you want a prompt

appointment with a better oncologist who knows about prostate

cancer and is willing to help you.

I know that a fight with the VA is not what's on your mind right

now. You just want to get someone to help you. Maybe you could

get someone with experience to help you with this - perhaps

someone at one of the veterans associations. Or perhaps there is

someone in the VA itself. See:

http://www.va.gov/landing2_contact.htm

and perhaps try one of the toll free numbers.

Best of luck.

Alan