- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Atlanta's Cancer Center of America
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:19 pm
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:19 pm
My dad has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. We were initially considering chemo treatment at Emory Hospital but have since opted to go with the Cancer Center of America. Does anyone here have any knowledge of this place? Ive been reading and it sounds promising. Just trying to get all the info I can.
ETA I should add he's already been accepted to the Cancer Center as a candidate.
ETA I should add he's already been accepted to the Cancer Center as a candidate.
This post was edited on 9/10/14 at 9:00 pm
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:20 pm to GAFF
Prayers to your dad and your family. And you too.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:20 pm to GAFF
Prayers man!
Friends daughter goes there. She just started a couple weeks ago and seems to like it.
Friends daughter goes there. She just started a couple weeks ago and seems to like it.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:24 pm to GAFF
Prayers bro. Lost my mom to cervical cancer in 2008. Some advice to give u and it maybe too late but don't get anything other than a PET SCAN. Mom had cat scan/ct scan and didn't show anything. PET SCAN was the thing that caught it.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:26 pm to CT
We would love to go to MD Anderson, or John Hopkins in Chicago, unfortunately we can't afford the travel. We were blessed however to be an hour from ATL so we're trying to go with the best options there. Thanks for your input though.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:32 pm to Weaver
quote:
PET SCAN was the thing that caught it.
My dad was initially diagnosed with lung cancer in May. He's had over 6 scans total ranging from PET, CT, MRI's. It wasn't until after the tumor on his lung was removed and had an additional scan that it was found. Even then it was supposed to be a small tumor (1cm). The scan at Emory is the one who made the diagnoses as stage 4. We even contacted the original Dr in my hometown afterwards and he couldn't believe it. He apologized repeatedly saying he never saw it on his scans.
This post was edited on 9/10/14 at 8:34 pm
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:33 pm to CT
quote:
MD Anderson in Houston is one of the best in the world.
They wouldn't accept my dad , because he had a Gleason score of 8, on his Prostate cancer. Ended up getting him treated in Tulsa, and had to drive him there from Central Louisiana, because MDA wouldn't treat him. Found out that they do that so it helps their numbers(survival rates)...It makes them look good in the stats...Dad beat his prostate cancer, with radiation seeds and hormone management, Thanks to wonderful Docs in Tulsa, OK...
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:35 pm to GAFF
You can go for second opinions, however the bottom line is, we have several drugs that are effective. The physician will make a choice depending on performance status and pathology. Gemzar will give pts some time, but if a pt can tolerate Folfirinox, then that may very well be the best choice. Everyone is so different.
Good luck to you and your family
Good luck to you and your family
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:36 pm to CamdenTiger
quote:
CamdenTiger
That's horrible. At least you're dad pulled through. Glad he was able to beat it.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:41 pm to GAFF
My pops has the same but it was caught earlier. As he lives in Houston and being treated at MD Anderson.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:44 pm to GAFF
quote:
That's horrible. At least you're dad pulled through. Glad he was able to beat it.
Thanks. We felt so lucky to be seen at MDA, but then felt like the rug was pulled out from under us when they denied him care, cause of advanced stage of disease. Everything worked out, hope you get as lucky as we did. Being a Surgeon myself, I had the connections, but not everyone is that fortunate...Bad taste in my mouth with MDA, but I still send patients there because of location and subspecialties.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:46 pm to bamaphan13
How did they catch it earlier?
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:47 pm to GAFF
quote:
My dad has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Be prepared. Lost my dad on April 9, 2013 to cancer. Pancreatic is the worst.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:47 pm to CamdenTiger
I've always respected MDA, however it's very much about research, which is good but pts don't understand that when their lives are on the line.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:50 pm to GAFF
My condolences to you and your family. That being said, I would avoid the cancer treatment centers of America. They are a for profit private institution that preys on people, and have misleading ads, IMHO. I would rather a doctor at Emory who tells it like it is, than a doctor (cheerleader) whose advertisements on TV (that I've seen) give false hope, and tout their acupuncture and homeopathic bullshite (which may be ok for pain control, but isn't going to give you an edge over cancer.
Look for a university based or large hospital system. They all use pretty much the same protocol, unless you're going to MD Anderson or Sloan Kettering.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is probably the worst to have, especially at that stage.
Look for a university based or large hospital system. They all use pretty much the same protocol, unless you're going to MD Anderson or Sloan Kettering.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is probably the worst to have, especially at that stage.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:50 pm to GAFF
thankfully, I have no first hand experience with this center...
the reading that I have done seems to point to the fact that they use a wholistic approach to treatment...that is, they include some treatments like accupuncture, etc. in with the traditional western medicine...
if that will help you and your family on this journey, then I say go for it...though I am also reading that they are a bit selective as to who they treat in order to bump their survival rates as well...
the reading that I have done seems to point to the fact that they use a wholistic approach to treatment...that is, they include some treatments like accupuncture, etc. in with the traditional western medicine...
if that will help you and your family on this journey, then I say go for it...though I am also reading that they are a bit selective as to who they treat in order to bump their survival rates as well...
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:50 pm to RunningBlake
He was having diarrhea and liver enzymes were elevated as tumor was blocking bile duct.
Diagnosed in March some chemo and radiation first then a whipple on June 30. Started chemo again 4 weeks after surgery until end of year.
Diagnosed in March some chemo and radiation first then a whipple on June 30. Started chemo again 4 weeks after surgery until end of year.
Posted on 9/10/14 at 8:55 pm to glassman
quote:
Pancreatic is the worst.
Yep, Stage 4 Pancreatic is much different than what we were dealing with. Like the previous poster said, prepare...Spend time with him, get affairs in order, and understand his wishes.
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News