Postby WarriorSpouse » Mon May 21, 2018 10:10 pm
I am sorry if I caused additional angst... Not intended to do so.
-I would specifically ask about staging based on the tumor pathology.
-long term treatment and surveillance plan to ensure the treatment plan is working.
-Getting a second opinion, maybe at John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.
*Other major cancer centers mentioned often here are Dana Farber (Boston), Sloan Kettering (NYC) and MD Anderson (Houston).
Other posters here may know of a major cancer center affiliate located closer to Richmond, VA. At these major centers they do tumor pathology reviews, compare national treatment plans (based on the evidence found), and will write aggressive treatment plans for your local general oncology unit to follow closer to home.
If it is diagnosed as Stage IV, make sure he is treated as such and it is documented for insurance coverage. I say this because it will provide a more aggressive treatment plan and will qualify him potentially for Social Security Disability benefits, if needed. If SS disability is approve, regardless of age, he can qualify for Medicare, which can help you with his insurance coverage. Do not be afraid of the Staging number. As someone else has previously stated here, it is based on the pathology and identified spread of the disease. Make sure it is staged correctly because that dictates the correct treatment plan and what insurance will cover and his qualification for SS Disability / Medicare.
Good luck at tomorrows appointment. There are many here who will provide support and direction if asked.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
WS
D/H 47 years old, 10/2014, Stage IV M/CRC, nodes 12/15, para-aortic, 5 cm sigmoid resection, positive Virchow. KRAS mut, MSS, Highly Differentiated, Lynch Neg, 5FU/LV and Avastin 1 YR (Oxi for 5 months), Zeloda/Bev since 01/2016. 02/2019 recurrence para-nodes, back to 5FU/LV Oxy/Bev. It is working again. "...Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."-Walter Elliot