some employers have basic life insurance coverage as part of their compensation package. I know that the US Government employees can get spousal coverage and children coverage for nominal amounts. It will basically cover final expenses. Educational facilities / employers, private colleges and high s...

Hey Jep,
My wife is about to face the same issue with discussions for the removal of two para-aortic nodes. I will keep you posted on what we learn and what the experiences are. I will post here as we move forward.
Best wishes.
WS

Pyro, Thank You for sharing and leading us all to a good and purposeful life. We may not be able to control the day we arrive or depart this great earth, but we do have control over how we all LIVE each day! I know the news is difficult, but as you know being a fighter jock, you can not control much...

My wife has been on Avastin for about four in a half years. It works with little side effects. Runny nose is the only thing I have seen.
More importantly, It is not chemotherapy. The role of the drug is to take oxygen away from the cancer cells so they do not grow.
Good Luck!
WS

I am sorry to read of your conflict... I understand that many here have never contemplated death until their own mortality came into play with a serious diagnosis and difficult treatments, but remember none of us are going to live forever. Heart attacks, traffic accidents, crimes of violence, and he...

My wife took it after recurrence after 4 years of NED. It is doing the job and shrinking new growth. It is not an easy drug to take, I know. She is happy to keep taking it as long as it is showing progress working again. On treatment day she naps, but the following days are progressively better and ...

Thank you for sharing Martd! I am happy to see this and expect things that have been recently successful to some, such as Keytruda, being available to many outside of the current norm, hopefully. Drug companies have a due diligence requirement to sell and distribute things that will help and not har...

I checked the Social Security Webpage today. It is called "Compassionate Allowance."
Here is a link to the requirements. Good luck with the process going forward.
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423022215
WS

I agree with most of what was already said here. The ACA plan will be much cheaper if your income level allows for the subsidies. Many local hospitals are directly affiliated with the large hospitals on the northern east coast in Boston, NYC and Baltimore. I am not certain where you live though. Exc...

Genetic testing is a must, especially if you have children. This can help identify if they are at increased risk as they age. Also, some CRC respond exceptionally well to new biological drugs that look for unique genetic characteristics. These drugs are not chemotherapy and are very tolerable to the...

Best wishes moving forward. We are here for you when questions come up along the way.
WS

Welcome to Colon Talk. There are many here with good advice and as stated previously, you can always use the search tool to read prior discussions such as "Olymphians," hospitals, and treatment plans. Many here always suggest seeking a consultation with a major cancer center such as Dana F...

I have heard that a Doctor's prescription of Marinol will provide the same benefits with the protections of the FDA approved supply chain. Unless the State that you live in has superb oversight over the new marijuana industry, the FDA is not operating in that lane, and therefore I would not trust wh...

I am sorry to read of your recurrence. Going to Dan Farber and MSK in NYC are great opportunities for progress back to NED. I noticed that your footer does not reflect taking Oxyplatin, Avasitin or other drugs commonly mentioned on this blog. It would appear that you have many more options, dependin...

Excellent news!
WS