[Sandy L]

Thank you all for posting. I feel better already. We saw Doctor Escelon in UM Sylvester today and we do like her a lot ( Personality ). We have no other choices but the use her and the Team if we want the cancer center otherwise we are in the local hospital. She is suggesting that we go to Jackson Memorial since the resources are better. We are going to be admitted tomorrow. Mike was told by her that he did not qualify for any clinical trial. His only two options were – Induction Therapy – with his chance of survial for the 4 weeks at 10%. or Pallative care with 2 to 3 months to live. He is opting for the induction therapy. 10% is better than no chance at all.

After remission he must go right to transplant. Also a unrelated donor but a good match. While we are in the hospital I will start to post asking for all advice of the doctors in the Nj NY area. I still do not have his subtype.

Again – what would I do without this forum.

Patti – please send me a private e-mail so I can respond to you. Anyone else that would like to send me an e-mail privately at
sandy@ideal-promotions.com

Suzanne – why did you not go on to transplant?

[Sandy L]

Thank you all for the quick response. I tried to post yesterday but my eyes were closing. It was a terrible day. Such red tape from the insurance company and the doctors office.

I will try to give you a little update. We have Vista (HMO plan with open access) but only for the tri county area ( Broward, Dade and Palm Beach in Florda). We can only go to specific hospitals in those counties. Moffitt is in Tampa. For the transplant we are being thrown into United Health and that opens us up many more hospitals in many other states. I wanted ny or nj since my childfren live there and i would have a better support team.

After 6 hours on the phone I was able to get a referral to go to University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center in Miami. It is part of Jackson Memorial. We will be seen by a new doctor Marcia Escelon. She just joined the transplant team. We went to Tampa when Mike was first diagnosed and saw Dr Saba. We went out of network and the cost for the 4 hours was almost $7500.
We also saw Dr. Hugo Fernandez at UM Sylvester who headed up the transplant team there. He has since left and went to Moffit ( so we can’t see him now for the induction therapy) They have not replaced Dr Fernandez yet but the transplant team is still active and functioning. Dr Goodman is acting head until they can hire someone. I called and all the doctors were too busy to see Mike and they are all going to a convention on Wed (tomorrow), leaving Dr Escelon behind, so that is why we are seeing her,

It was a choice of staying with Dr Melo and going to a local hospital or leaving and going to UM (teaching hospital and Cancer center) and using their newest doctor.

I hope that it is the right decision. As far as the transplant goes I will start investigating again after the 7 days of chemo.

I do not know what subtype AML he has – I have asked but still no response.

Very scared and do not know what to expect with Induction Chemotherapy, I know it is heavy duty but…how will Mike feel? Will he sleep all day? WIll he be in much pain? What can I do to make sure that he stays strong ( mentally as well as physically)

I thank you all for any insight and of course your well wishes.

Hope your days are better than mine.

Sandy

[Sandy L]

Jack

Me too. It does feel good to laugh.

sandy

[Sandy L]

Dear Gloria,

I am so sorry for your loss. Take one day at a time. You are not alone.

Sandy

[Sandy L]

So sorry Lucy. Stay strong and have only good memories from now on.

[Sandy L]

I am so glad that Bob is home from the hospital and doing better. If there is anything that I can do please do not hesitate to ask.

[Sandy L]

Thanks Patti.

I am reading your blog. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.

[Sandy L]

Wishing you the best.

[Sandy L]

Carrie,

Wow a year has gone by so fast. Have a great time at your shower. Enjoy!

Sandy

[Sandy L]

I had the same empty feeling in my stomach when I thought that I could no longer converse with all these wonderful people.

[Sandy L]

Patti,

Why are you beating yourself up? You are a great person. Always caring about your MIL and the rest of the family. You are human and it hurts when someone is not as considerate as you. Vent all you want………. But keep being you. You are the best and this world and your husband’s family’s world is a better place because of you.

[Sandy L]

Hi LuAnn,

Is your Dad a candidate for a transplant? Are you being treated at a MDS center? Maybe you should explore other options – read Patti’s Post.

Whatever you do, know that this forum cares and maybe someone can give you some advice. Post again and give more details. Any Chromosome abnormalties? Any other treatment since 1996? What was the bad reaction? Is your Dad using any Vitamin Supplements?

[Sandy L]

Jaggyone,

I am so sorry for what you are going through. I will continue to hope and pray that something wonderful will happen. Please continue to post and know that there are many of us here that are pulling for you.

[Sandy L]

JimBob

Finally some good news…………. I wish you 80 more Happy Birthdays.

[Sandy L]

My prayers for Dee and her family. I am so sorry – I always appreciated her support and the only question I have now is – WHY???????? She is a very sweet lady.

[Author]

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