HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Mar 27, 2013 12:34:50 GMT -5
Ok 6 weeks is good. Typically that is a 'curative' prescription. That is positive. I know there is a radonc center in Sequim... is that where you guys will get treatment?
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Mar 27, 2013 15:52:39 GMT -5
Ok 6 weeks is good. Typically that is a 'curative' prescription. That is positive. I know there is a radonc center in Sequim... is that where you guys will get treatment? Although Sequim is closer, we'll prob go to Peninsula Cancer Center in Poulsbo. The dr there used to be head of radiation oncology at VM in Seattle. She was highly recommended to us.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 27, 2013 15:57:34 GMT -5
Ok 6 weeks is good. Typically that is a 'curative' prescription. That is positive. I know there is a radonc center in Sequim... is that where you guys will get treatment? So if a friend of mine was told 4 weeks daily after having something removed from her breast, that's a good sign? Sorry for the threadjack, just curious...
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Mar 27, 2013 16:04:31 GMT -5
Ok 6 weeks is good. Typically that is a 'curative' prescription. That is positive. I know there is a radonc center in Sequim... is that where you guys will get treatment? So if a friend of mine was told 4 weeks daily after having something removed from her breast, that's a good sign? Sorry for the threadjack, just curious... 4 weeks sounds like the Canadian protocol. Yes, it's very good. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png) Breast cancer is a bit different because of the sheer number of cancer patients and the number of different types. It's not necessarily that more treatments is better (in some cases, it's actually quite the opposite!) but for GG's situation, 10 days would have been a palliative prescription. Basal cell cancer, like this, is extremely rare.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 27, 2013 16:20:43 GMT -5
Oh, so more radiation treatments is good news? Less is bad news? I think I'm wrapping my brain around it.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Mar 27, 2013 17:13:12 GMT -5
Oh, so more radiation treatments is good news? Less is bad news? I think I'm wrapping my brain around it. Sorry, it depends. There are many types of breast cancers, and there are many different protocols. Some take up to 6 weeks, some a 4 weeks, some can take as little as 5 days. Those are "curative" protocols; i.e. the intent is to cure the cancer. A common palliative protocol, i.e. NON curative, is 10 days. It's mostly for pain alleviation. So when GG said the Dr Rx'd 6 weeks instead of 10 days, I was happy for her, because it's essentially saying that the cancer is curative. It can't be used in a blanket statement for all cancers though. The 4 week Canadian breast cancer protocol is curative and a good one. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/smiley.png)
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kent
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Post by kent on Mar 27, 2013 17:13:51 GMT -5
Oh, so more radiation treatments is good news? Less is bad news? I think I'm wrapping my brain around it. I think it's on a case-by-case basis. For my wife, while surgery indicated her cancer was noninvasive and they "felt" they got it all, the subsequent pathology report indicated it was more on the aggresive side. That, coupled with several areas of microcalcification, resulted in the decision to implement daily radiation treatments totalling 28 sessions utilizing both a "shotgun" and "targeted" approach.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 27, 2013 17:15:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the information!
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happyscooter
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Post by happyscooter on Apr 6, 2013 12:04:51 GMT -5
I have been gone. Any word from GG?
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 6, 2013 12:17:42 GMT -5
I'm here. DH will start 6 weeks of radiation treatment (5 days/week) a week from Monday. (April 15)
The second oncologist painted a much rosier picture than the first one. I've concluded that this happens so rarely that there just isn't enough data for anyone to predict whether it will return or spread. I doubt either of them know for sure.
He'll have another PET/CT scan 3 months after completing radiation. At that point, if it is back, I'm going to insist that he go to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. (I did ask him to consider going now, but he is tired of going to doctors and doesn't want to go to yet another one)
He's trying to get an much done around the house now because they told him to expect fatigue as the main side effect.
As an aside, the total charges, to date come to nearly $36,000 !!! And we have not yet received the hospital bill for the surgery... (Our out of pocket is $3000). I can understand why people who have cancer and don't have health insurance don't get treatment.... I'm very grateful that we do have insurance and (knocking on wood) so far, all claims have been processed without a hitch.
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Nazgul Girl
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Apr 6, 2013 12:40:11 GMT -5
I'm thinking about you, GG. My DH start his 8 week, 5 day per week radiation in 30 days, after they implant some non-radioactive seeds in his prostate on the 18th ( for guidance purposes ), and he subsequently heals from that procedure. Good luck to your DH.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 6, 2013 12:44:13 GMT -5
Thanks, NG.
(Later on, DH will also have to deal with the prostrate cancer issue and he is leaning towards the bracytherapy... I'll be interested in hearing how it goes for your DH)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2013 13:00:40 GMT -5
Best wishes for you and your DH. ![](http://i.123g.us/c/anniv_flwrs/card/301144.jpg)
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kent
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Post by kent on Apr 6, 2013 13:42:27 GMT -5
GG, thanks for keeping your internet family upated - we're all supporting you! Our experience has been that fatique is pretty normal after radiation treatment. Wife experienced it and her sister as well (sister still in treatment for brain cancer) Lots of treatment choices for this type of cancer. I went with the brachytherapy myself and have no regrets. The side effects afterwards can be unpleasant to say the least but they eventually subside.
Nasgul. Best wishes to you and you're husband as well.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Apr 6, 2013 14:25:02 GMT -5
Hi GG
Glad to hear things are underway for treatment. Sounds like what Nazgul's H is having is not brachytherapy, but seeds for guidance of external beam radiation therapy. Kind of confusing because it sounds the same but it's not.
Brachytherapy is a very good option for early stage prostate cancer. I'm happy to talk to you more about it when the time comes.
Hope you are both doing well.
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kent
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Post by kent on Apr 6, 2013 14:37:31 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing - external beam. GG, I'm willing to talk with you about it as well should you have any questions.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 6, 2013 15:04:37 GMT -5
I do have questions, but DH is thinking of postponing any decision about the PC u til the oth is taken care of. And then maybe taking a break. So maybe early next year....
Thank you both.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Apr 6, 2013 17:44:10 GMT -5
Sorry GG, I'm no help with the medical terms. I only have prayers to send.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Apr 20, 2013 19:52:01 GMT -5
GG how is your DH now ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2013 6:21:38 GMT -5
![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/yeahthat.gif) GG. Hope all is well! ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/rose.gif)
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 21, 2013 8:53:44 GMT -5
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geenamercile
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Post by geenamercile on Apr 21, 2013 11:32:47 GMT -5
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 21, 2013 11:39:26 GMT -5
Thank you guys. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/heart.png) He completed the first week of radiation on Friday. 5 more weeks to go. We are hanging in there.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2013 11:56:26 GMT -5
Don't forget to take care of yourself. GG. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/rose.gif) And best wishes for your Husband. ![](http://www.commentsyard.com/graphics/get-well-soon/get-well-soon74.gif)
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