I am trying to get a second opinion from MD Anderson, but I’m having a little trouble. They are requiring a pathology report of my local recurrence. However, my current hospital has yet to perform a biopsy. I figured the rise in my CEA, scans from my CT and MRI, and the localized pain would suggest ...

I’m already running into an issue with trying to setup an appointment with MD Anderson. They are requiring a biopsy of my local recurrence which was not performed by current hospital. Is it normal not to do one for a local recurrence?

Can anyone recommend an excellent oncologist with MD Anderson and/ or Memorial Sloan Kettering? I am currently at UCSF in San Francisco, but would like to get a 2nd opinion on the course of my treatment.

Is there an update on how your treatment went? How is it possible you can do SBRT when you already had 28 days of chemorad? I thought we normally receive the maximum allowed radiation at where the anastomosis is located. I’m in a similar situation, but surgery has been the only option on the table.

Yeah, I did my last round of mop up chemo on a Tuesday and then had my surgery about 2 weeks later. No rest for the wicked, lol. If I understand your question correctly, i don’t think having the ileostomy reversal sooner than later will determine your final outcome. I just wanted to start my road to...

I think Gravelguy hit the nail on the head, everyone is going to experience it differently. I knew the surgery and ileostomy were going to be difficult from what I read. So, I asked for the ileostomy reversal ASAP. I wanted to start my road to recovery immediately. My surgeon did it within 3 months....

Passion fruit Gatorade.

At MSK, the doctor there suggested to do the chemotherapy before surgery because they have observed complete clinical response in patients that have residual tumors post radiation. You are going to have to do the chemo anyway. I’d much happier I did it pre surgery when I functioned normally. Doctor...

@Phillypatient I spoke to MSK today. Since I live in California, they recommended a hospital from the NCI network. It just so happens UCSF is very close to me. I tried calling numerous times and even left a message. But no one got back to me. Luckily I had a phone meeting with my PCP to go over my p...

@ Phillypatient

Actually, I already did 8 rounds of chemo before my radiation.
I will look into MSK.

Thx, A

@NHMike Thank you for sharing your history. It puts it in a better perspective for me. I thought the ultrasound would designate the area for the FNA? How does that work when the ultrasound comes back positive for cancer and the FNA does not? This is probably why I had a hard time interpreting the pa...

Thank you. I'll take a read.

-Eric

Hello all, I'd like to know if there has been other members who have chosen a wait & watch approach based on a partial response? I know some people don't even want to take a chance. I would like to have all options on the table before making a life changing decsion. 1/7/20, diagnosed as Stage II...