Local Oncologist Interview

I went in today and met the local oncologist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.  She recommended many of the things I was never able to convince my old oncologist to do.  She wants me to get a oopherectomy (ovaries removed) instead of staying on Lupron (because the coverage tends to be spotty or wear off near the end of the month), she wanted to see if my insurance would approve xgeva (it didn't, but I had asked and my old oncologist refused to even try it), and she is also pro-trials.  There may be an upcoming trial where they test for and treat Androgen levels.  But for now, we are going to continue the Lupron, Femera, and Zometa (since xgeva was denied).

MD Anderson and MedImmune Join Forces to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

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The original creater of the BC awareness ribbon has died

If you have watched the film Pink Ribbons Inc you will be aware of the story of Charlotte Haley who designed the first breast cancer awareness ribbon, which was a salmon or peach pink shade. When she was contacted by Evelyn Lauder of Estee Lauder who wanted to use it she realised that it had more to do with their profit margin than raising breast cancer awareness so she said NO. They then changed the shade of pink and used it anyway.

Read More on Teddybearwannabe's blog site

Off Chemo for a Bit

Here's a quick glance at what's coming up and what's going on with my treatment:

• 3/24 - Interviewing a new local oncologist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth.  See if she will give me the 2nd Lupron shot and my Zometa infusion while I'm there.
• 3/27 - Drive down to Houston after work
• 3/28 - Oncologist appointment at MD Anderson and talking to the group over the trials regarding future consideration on upcoming trials

Support Stage IV

How to find valid medical information online

Guide to Healthy Web Surfing: MedlinePlus:



'via Blog this'

19 Ways Chemotherapy Affects the Body - StumbleUpon

19 Ways Chemotherapy Affects the Body - StumbleUpon:



'via Blog this'

Waiting on MD Anderson and Local Cancer Group

Sitting here waiting on the nurse at MD Anderson to call me and tell me what the doctor said the game plan would be. Everything up in the air currently and waiting to hear what he proposes. 

In the meantime, I stumbled across an awesome resource for any of you looking for a local group in DFW area. This group appears to be about patient empowerment and has 3 clubhouses across the DFW area. One even in tarrant county (out near Keller!) Here's the link to their calendar.. you have to attend a new member meeting first, I'm signed for 3/20 at Tarrant County Clubhouse if anyone else is interested in going with me. Family and friends are welcome, also.. they even have a local support group for them!

http://cancersupporttexas.org/calendar/

Free Educational Resource for Cancer Related Topics

Found this great resource for FREE books covering a variety of cancer topics.  Ordered the one Metastatic Breast Cancer for myself.  There are other cancer types available, as well as specific topics.  Also the option to donate towards this effort to help pay for the free resources for others.  Thought I'd share it in case anyone else would like to order one.  Shipping is free also!

https://orders.cancersupportcommunity.org/

There's also one for family and friends!

http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/Family-Friends

Vaccine Trial Update

I just got told that due to progression of disease, I do not currently qualify for the clinical vaccine trial.

Progress on Local Oncologist, Maybe?

I managed to get off work on time today, well.... Actually, I worked through lunch and left 30 minutes late, but still had a good 30-45 minutes before the doctor's offices all closed, so I made a phone call to one of the MD Anderson referrals at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorder on Magnolia in Fort Worth medical district.  After a small runaround and a miss-transfer, I managed to talk to someone, and they acted like the oncologists there were more than willing to work with MD Anderson, and that they were a progressive facility.  They are reviewing my requests and my records and should be getting back to me by around midweek.  My big issue is that I know absolutely NOTHING about this facility.  In fact, I have lived her for 42 years and never even heard of them.  Does anyone out there know anything about them? Do you know anyone who ever received care there?

I also had a good friend who has fought her own battles medically, message me, and tell me that she had asked at UT Southwestern, and they sounded like they would work with me, also.  This is pretty far from home, and another drive I'd have to make between appointments in Houston.  Since I'll already be racking up the miles back and forth to Houston, I'd like my local to be as close to home as possible.  I'm holding this one as a my "ace in the hole"  in case I can't find decent care in Fort Worth metro area.