Cary

I know a lot has happened in the last 5 months, but I was wondering if the brochure was in PDF format yet. We have a Onc appointment on tuesday and I would love to be able leave some in the waiting room, especially since it is Lung cancer awareness month. Cary

I was wondering to file for 501c3 status do you just need to fill out IRS form 1023? or do you have to incorporate also? form 1023 does not seem that difficult to fill out and I would even be willing to fill it out if I had the proper info. Cary

foci Plural of focus. The origin or centre of a disseminated disease. This is a pretty complete on-line medical dictionary http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/ Cary

I beleive you also have to register on the page Ry posted. Cary

Hi, Here is what I found when i did a search, hope this helps. Cary Cyberknife The Cyberknife is a new high-technology system that delivers LINAC radiosurgery using a robotic arm controlled by an image-guided computer technology similar to that used by the military in cruise missiles. The Cyberknife was approved by the FDA in July 1999. Unlike conventional radiotherapy systems where the treatment machine is not able to verify the position of the tumor, the Cyberknife can define and confirm critical information concerning the position of the tumor during the treatment. Through the use of this "smart bream" technology, the accuracy of targeting is improved. According to latest research results (see Chang et al, Neurosurgery, page 140, January 2003), the accuracy of Cyberknife targeting is comparable to that of fixed (attached) frames such as in Gamma Knife treatments, and more accurate than for relocatable frames based on either bite blockes or masks, such as used for FSR. Dr. John R. Adler (Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford University) has provided more details about the increase in accuracy: the RMS error measured was 1.2 mm in this paper [by Chang et al], which is in fact considerably less than the 1.8-2.0 mm errors reported for skeletally attached stereotactic frames. This improvement comes at the price of exposure to additional radiation, in the form of X-rays. There are two ceiling mounted X-ray cameras that target the regional anatomy around the tumor, and a high speed computer that analyzes the images. The data is converted into information about the location of the patients' features, such as bone structure. The computer can account for any small changes in the position of the patient during treatment, and can deliver the radiation dose to the target with high precision. According to Dr. John R. Adler, this additional X-ray exposure is not a concern: the exposure to the head during a standard single treatment or even the more typical 3 stage procedure used at Stanford for acoustic neuroma, adds up to no more than the x-ray dose administered in 1 or 2 CT scans. Such a dose is much less than scatter given off by a treating linear accelerator for example, and is widely considered by most radiosurgical practioners, to be inconsequential. It is important to note that Cyberknife differs from FSR in more than just the method of positioning. A crucial difference is that the robotic arm delivering radiation during Cyberknife treatment does not perform a continuous motion, as for standard FSR treatment with LINAC. Rather, it makes many short stops; the X-ray based targeting as well as the radiation shots are only applied during these stops rather than throughout the motion. Conceptually, this is more akin to Gamma Knife, where the radiation comes in individual beams that intersect at the tumor. While the Cyberknife is a great new technology for those parts of the body which cannot be accurately repositioned by other means, it is not yet clear that there is a benefit to using it on the head, where the skull allows for other repositioning technologies. While the Cyberknife's targeting may be more accurate than FSR, the combination of additional X-rays and the change in radiation pattern from a continuous sweeping arc to discrete shots may offset the benefits. This issue can only be resolved after we have treatment outcome data for large samples of Cyberknife and FSR patients. Those who wish to know more about the Cyberknife technology are referred to the website of the CyberKnife Society, located at www.cksociety.org This is a non-profit organization is dedicated to patient education and scholarly exchange regarding the Cyberknife. Gamma Knife Gamma Knife surgery is recognized worldwide as the preferred treatment for metastatic brain tumors and has successfully treated primary brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations. The Gamma Knife offers a non-invasive alternative for many patients for whom traditional brain surgery is not an option and removes the physical trauma and the majority of risks associated with conventional surgery. This effective treatment only requires an overnight hospital stay with periodic follow-up. It is proven safe over the long term and is recognized and covered by most insurance plans. The Gamma Knife allows noninvasive cerebral surgery to be performed with extreme precision, sparing tissues adjacent to the target. Based on preoperative radiological examinations, such as CT-scans, MR-scans, or angiography, the unit provides for highly accurate irradiation of deep-seated targets, using a multitude of collimated beams of ionizing radiation. Gamma Knife surgery represents a major advance in brain surgery, changing the landscape within the field of neurosurgery. Its development has enhanced neurosurgeical treatments offered to patients with brain tumors and vascular malformations by providing a safe, accurate and reliable treatment option. Gamma Knife enables patients to undergo a non-invasive form of brain surgery without surgical risks or a long hospital stay. Gamma Knife surgery is unique in that no surgical incision is made to expose the inside of the brain, thereby reducing the risk of surgical complications and eliminating the side effects and dangers of general anethesai. The "Blades" of the Gamma Knife are the beams of gamma radiation programmed to target the lesion at the point where they intersect. In a single treatment session, 201 beams of gamma radiation focus precisely on the lesion. Ove time, most lesions slowly decrease in size and dissolve. The exposure is brief and only the tissue being treated receives a significant radiation dose, while the surrounding tissue remains unharmed. There are numerous brain lesions for which treatment, either surgical or with radiation, is associated with considerable mortality or morbidity due to factors such as depth and inaccessibility of the lesion, its proximity to arteries, nerves and other vital structures, and the radiosensitivity of adjacent normal tissues. Even if access is possible, surgery still involves risks of hemorrhage, infection and other post-operative complications. In addition, a lengthy hospital stay is usually required. With the Gamma Knife, a surgical incision is not required; the attendant risks of open neurosurgical procedures (hemorrhage, infection, CSF leakage, etc.) are therefore avoided. Published reports indicate that the Gamma Knife may be used as an alternative to standard neurosurgical operations or as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of residual or recurrent lesions left unresected by conventional surgery. Radiosurgery can be especially useful for those patients who are not suitable for standard surgical techniques due to illness or advanced age. In many neurosurgical cases, the Gamma Knife is the only feasible treatment. Conditions for which application of the Gamma Knife is considered most effective are: 1. Intracranial tumors such as: acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, pinealomas, craniopharynigiomas, meningiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, metastases and glial tumors. 2. Vascular malformations including arteriovenous malformations. In addition to the above mentioned indications, clinical experiences exists in the treatment of functional disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, intractable pain, Parkinson's desease and epilepsy. ADVANTAGES OF GAMMA KNIFE * Gamma Knife is a neuro-surgical tool designed exclusively for the treatment of brain disorders. * The lesion being treated receives a high dose of radiation with minimum risk to nearby tissue and structures. * The cost of Gamma Knife procedure is often 25 to 30 percent less than traditional neurosurgery. * Patients experience little discomfort. * The absence of an incision elimates the risk of hemorrhage and infection. * Hospitalization is short, typically an overnight stay. Patients can immediately resume their previous activities. * Gamma Knife technology allows treatment of inoperable lesions. The procedure offers hope to patients who were formerly considered untreatable or at very high-risk for open-skull surgery. Leksell Gamma Knife is a registered trademark of Elekta Instruments, Inc.

Hi, Are you talking about shark cartilage supplements or Neovastat? Cary

No Evidence of Disease Cary

I think you got it, Once you take a longer look at it thats the only thing that makes sense. Good call Cary

I agree it is a little outdated. The right hand column is just stating the phase of the trial and the type of lung cancer it is being tested on, I didn't notice any mention of stage of cancer. The one that mentions brain mets is a radiosensitizer for brain mets from NSCLC. Cary

I believe Gabapentin (Neurontin brand name) has been approved since late 2002 http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/neuropathy.html I have also heard of and know people who take B-12 injections to help treat neuropathy. Cary

http://www.oxiline.com.br/download/anti ... er.pdf.PDF Cary

I believe you are correct. The trial was done with 800mg/day. The most I have ever heard of any cancer patient taking is 800mg/day 400mg/2xday. My father takes 600 mg/day to avoid any toxicity issues since he is 70. Cary

Great news!! Cary

Everyone, Thank you, I am pretty amazed myself. I was only looking for stable disease. The nurse read the report over the phone and one line did not make sense."no suggestion of pulmonary metastases. No interval change". her interpretation was his cancer had not moved to his lung(yeah right), plus there was a interval change (NED). I made her get the doctor and the films, when the doctor called me back he confirmed the NED. I wanted to make sure so I didn't get to excited, then have them tell me there was a mistake. Thanks again, Cary

I did a quick search for the medal. I can only find the patron saint medal. I didn't locate any that where actually blessed by her. Cary

My dad currently takes Iressa and scan results from today show no evidence of disease in the chest/abdomen/liver. He takes a few additional treamtents also, so more than likely it would be the combination of them all. Cary

Just got my fathers CT of chest and abdomen they show "NED" that is great news for a recurrent stage IV, That was given 3 months to live last december. We will get a follow-up MRI next month to confirm. So hopefully when we get his Brain MRI(3 months after whole brain radiation) next month that will be clear also. Cary

A blind man and his guide dog enter a bar and find their way to a barstool. After ordering a drink and sitting there for a while, the blind guy yells to the bartender, "Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?" The bar immediately becomes absolutely quiet.In a husky, deep voice, the woman next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, you should know something. The bartender is blonde, the bouncer is blonde and I'm a 6' tall, 200 lb. blonde with a black belt in karate. What's more, the woman sitting next to me is blonde and she's a weight lifter. The lady to your right is a blonde and she's a pro wrestler. Think about it seriously, mister. You still wanna tell that joke?" The blind guy says, "Nah, not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."

I was going to post that earlier, but I figured you would want to keep your so called "Gremlins" problem to yourself Cary

Thank you, It sounds very interesting. I am glad you are still here. Cary

I was hoping you would take the hint just joking!! My older brother is dyslexic, so I always had to post messages all over the internet for him. He finally reminded me one day he has dyslexia and didn't want to post(what a baby) So I found this download a few months ago for him. It has made my life a bit easier. So I know there must be others out there that do not post for this same reason, and hopefully now they can. Cary

I know this is a little off topic but it is message board related. For those of you who wish to spell check your posts on a message board you can go here http://www.iespell.com/ on the left hand side it says "download" once you have it downloaded, you just right click and use it the same way as a normal spell checker. Its free of course. Cary

From what I have heard Dr. Wolf can perform gamma knife on up to 20 tumors in the brain. This can even be performed after someone has already received traditional Whole brain radiation. I have enclosed his link. There are many centers that are doing this treatment(maybe even close than Dr. wolf), I am surprised your Onc did not bring this up. Cary http://www.brain-tumor-surgery.com/procedure_gamma.htm

Every summer we took a 3 week vacation to North Dakota to visit family and my parents friends. I went back this July for the first time in ten years and it was exactly the same except the Jamestown mall has a Walmart and they also have the white buffalo. Cary

Tiny, Thank You, I actually just enlarged their heads even more. That was me trying to give my son a haircut, well you can see how i fixed it.(who knew giving haircuts could be that difficult )