MRI - possible bad results (update)results suck (update II)

[Rumpshot]

No specific info I can provide, but I do have a friend (airline captain) who was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer (don't have a clue what it really was) a bit over 20 years ago. He underwent a series of radiation treatments. Had a special mold of his head to hold it just so. Was pronounced clean, went about his business for a period of time, then diagnosed positive again. Went through a second round of radiation. I don't know any other specifics about his treatment. He was cleared once again and went back to the front of the bus and drove people around until he was able to retire from the airlines. I think he is still one of the lead check pilots for DC-10 firebombers. I do know he is still out and about as a functional person. With this anecdote and a fair bit of optimism, I have hopes for both of you.

[Erik]

I'm really sorry to hear this.


I am a bit hesitant to write this, because I don't want to give advise or provide info where it's not needed nor wanted, so if this is uncalled for please disregard.
Have you checked out the possibility for treatment in other countries? It's not uncommon here to have doctors decide on a treatment that they prefer, or refuse treatment options because it's "not worth it". So it's not uncommon for people to go to other countries that will provide that care. I once had a girlfriend with an ankle injury that couldn't get it treated here, and instead contacted a specialist in Finland. Finland is popular for top of the line medical care, Poland is an option for cheaper treatments, and Thailand for bargains. For a long time people with serious spinal injuries went to Russia where there was a treatment with good results that wasn't done here.
I did some googling and found a cancer treatment center in Finland that looks like it's a top facility, but I don't know enough about cancer treatments to really evaluate it. But if you know what you are looking for, I would assume it's not impossible to find a good facility somewhere that are willing to do it.
Again, I don't know if this is at all helpful, and if it's not please disregard.

[Precision]

I'm really sorry to hear this.


I am a bit hesitant to write this, because I don't want to give advise or provide info where it's not needed nor wanted, so if this is uncalled for please disregard.
Have you checked out the possibility for treatment in other countries? It's not uncommon here to have doctors decide on a treatment that they prefer, or refuse treatment options because it's "not worth it". So it's not uncommon for people to go to other countries that will provide that care. I once had a girlfriend with an ankle injury that couldn't get it treated here, and instead contacted a specialist in Finland. Finland is popular for top of the line medical care, Poland is an option for cheaper treatments, and Thailand for bargains. For a long time people with serious spinal injuries went to Russia where there was a treatment with good results that wasn't done here.
I did some googling and found a cancer treatment center in Finland that looks like it's a top facility, but I don't know enough about cancer treatments to really evaluate it. But if you know what you are looking for, I would assume it's not impossible to find a good facility somewhere that are willing to do it.
Again, I don't know if this is at all helpful, and if it's not please disregard.

Erik,

information is always appreciated. We currently are not looking outside the US. We assume that we can get what we want / need here. We were under the impression that this facility would do what she wants. We don't know that they won't yet. Today we will find out. Also, being poor, doubting her insurance will pay for overseas treatment...

Send me a link to the place in Finland. Options are always good if only to weigh and compare. We are looking for a facility with a gamma knife machine who will treat her. Pretty simple desire.

[Erik]

Good, I just wanted to be sure. There's some subtle cultural and language differences that I sometimes aren't aware of, and this is the kind of thread where I really don't want to even risk overstepping it.

I did a quick search for cancer treatments, and this is the first one that popped up: http://www.docrates.com/en/cancer-treatment It's a Finnish center that specializes in it. I couldn't find anything on it about gamma knifes, but that doesn't mean they dont have it.
Karolinska in Stockholm offers it, here's their page on "strålknivskirurgi". Karolinska is one of the best hospitals in Scandinavia. I dont know if they accept patients that aren't referrals though.
And while looking, I found this as well. It's in Turkey, but seem to be targeting foreign patients.
Then I found this (in swedish), that lead me to this in Greece, and this in Hamburg.

You can probably search more. The Swedish work for Gamma knife is "strålkniv" or "strålknivskirurgi" for the surgery. That would probably find most Scandinavian pages, even in Danish and Norwegian (and most Finnish sites are bilingual, Swedish and Finnish).

One thing that I've noticed here is that if the patient has found treatment options abroad, local hospitals have a tendency to suddenly open up the same treatment options. That happened to me once. So it could be useful to check around.

[Precision]

Road trip to Miami this morning.

The lying sack of shit in Florida Hospital won't even return calls from Dawn's oncologist. Bastard.

So we have an appointment down at a place in Miami. They don't even have the machine for whole head, so that will be off the table. They have been advised as to her situation and their reply was, "we do that at least twice a week". So we are hopeful, that this will result in a treatment protocol and for treatment to start next week.

Prayers for sanity and success are greatly appreciated.

[randy]

My hopes for the best possible outcome! (Although sanity is sometimes overrated)

[BDK]

Precision, remember, you won't do Dawn any good in prison. (I can realize the temptation, at times, when dealing w. medical "professionals" in name only.)

[Precision]

We think we have good news.

The doctor in Miami looked at her MRI and said is that all, come on challenge me.

Florida Hospital - unwilling to treat more than 5 tumors with gamma knife

Larkin Neurosurgery - we have done as many as 60 tumors in a single session. No problem. Treatment is scheduled for 05:30 on 04 Nov.

He then referred us to the place next door that has a Brand New machine that can be used to destroy her lung cancer without surgery or chemo. We are in their waiting room now.

oops going in to see the doctor.

[Rod]

Sounds like you've found real doctors this time. Prayers for good results still going out and the invite to stay a couple of days in El Paso is definitely still on the table.

[Weetabix]

Hot dog! Carry on!