MsC1210

Char One thing, and it might have already been suggested, is to get a small organizer type notebook to keep track of the questions and answers, the tests and results, etc that will come up. This makes it easier to keep track and have everything in one location. Keep us posted on the tests... My best to you, Chris

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Opens Outpatient Facility In Basking Ridge 04 Sep 2006 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) opened a new state-of-the-art outpatient cancer treatment facility in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, today. The new 85,000-square-foot facility incorporates the latest concepts in therapeutic design and offers the most advanced cancer care services. Located within the Mountain View Corporate Center (at exit 33 off I-78), the outpatient center in Basking Ridge will be convenient for cancer patients who live in central New Jersey. "Cancer patients from this area who choose to receive care from Memorial Sloan-Kettering must frequently travel into Manhattan for treatments and services," said Abe Lopman, Executive Director of MSKCC's Regional Care Network. "Approximately 17 percent of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's patients live in New Jersey and this new Basking Ridge facility will allow many of these patients to receive their outpatient cancer care in a setting that is closer to home." The center offers the highest standard of comprehensive cancer care, delivered by MSKCC clinicians in a facility designed to meet the unique needs of cancer patients and their families. A full complement of services to detect, diagnose, and treat cancer will be provided. These include outpatient chemotherapy, radiation oncology, comprehensive diagnostic radiology, medical and surgical consultations, cancer screening, patient education, and integrative medicine. Imaging technology at the center includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner, digital x-ray imaging, mammography, stereotactic mammography, and ultrasound diagnostics. Treatment tools include a CT simulator and two state-of-the-art linear accelerators that map and deliver intensity-modulated radiation beams. This leading-edge technology enhances the precision of radiation therapy while reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue. Chemotherapy treatments are administered in a soothing environment where the nurses and staff appreciate and understand the concerns of cancer patients and their families. The staff's sole focus is on cancer, so patients can be sure that their treatment will reflect the most advanced knowledge about how to treat and live with cancer. Designed by the Philadelphia-based firm EwingCole, the new facility occupies a small portion of a 26-acre tract of wooded land, leaving most of the property with tranquil views of nature. The building has a curved form and a soft look, and windows throughout the center flood interior spaces with light. Even typically isolated interior spaces such as those used for MRI services offer daylight and views of nature. Inside and outside, the color palette emphasizes earthy, natural hues and warm colors. Memorial Sloan-Kettering has been providing exceptional care for patients with cancer in New Jersey for more than a decade with facilities in Dover and Denville, New Jersey. Those programs have now been moved into the new facility in Basking Ridge, which has the potential to expand to a total 162,000 square feet. The new facility employs approximately 100 people, including 15 physicians, and is expected to accommodate 200 outpatient visits each day. All staff, including physicians, are full-time employees of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and have the same level of training and expertise as staff at MSKCC's Manhattan location and other regional sites. MSKCC's growing network of regional care centers also includes facilities on Long Island and in Westchester County, New York. In 2005, there were more than 450,000 outpatient visits at these regional care sites. MSK Basking Ridge is the largest ambulatory care facility in MSKCC's regional care network and the first stand-alone facility for MSKCC in New Jersey. "We are replicating Memorial Sloan-Kettering's very successful model of outpatient cancer care, based on years of experience of our expert medical staff, and making our services more accessible to patients," said Lopman. ### Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research, and education in cancer. Our scientists and clinicians generate innovative approaches to better understand, diagnose, and treat cancer. Our specialists are leaders in biomedical research and in translating the latest research to advance the standard of cancer care worldwide. MSK At Basking Ridge By The Numbers * 2 Linear Accelerators * Digital and Sterotactic Mammography * 1 MRI * 1 PET/CT * 1 CT Scanner * 1 CT Simulator * 23 Chemotherapy Suites * Lab and Pharmacy * Dermatology and Mohs' Surgery (Treatment for squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas that allows the surgeon to pinpoint and remove cancerous tissue while leaving the healthy skin intact.) Cost: Approximately $72.5 million, including design and construction More than 100 employees, including 15 physicians Contact: Christine Hickey Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=50974 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) opened a new state-of-the-art outpatient cancer treatment facility in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, today. The new 85,000-square-foot facility incorporates the latest concepts in therapeutic design and offers the most advanced cancer care services. Located within the Mountain View Corporate Center (at exit 33 off I-78), the outpatient center in Basking Ridge will be convenient for cancer patients who live in central New Jersey. "Cancer patients from this area who choose to receive care from Memorial Sloan-Kettering must frequently travel into Manhattan for treatments and services," said Abe Lopman, Executive Director of MSKCC's Regional Care Network. "Approximately 17 percent of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's patients live in New Jersey and this new Basking Ridge facility will allow many of these patients to receive their outpatient cancer care in a setting that is closer to home." The center offers the highest standard of comprehensive cancer care, delivered by MSKCC clinicians in a facility designed to meet the unique needs of cancer patients and their families. A full complement of services to detect, diagnose, and treat cancer will be provided. These include outpatient chemotherapy, radiation oncology, comprehensive diagnostic radiology, medical and surgical consultations, cancer screening, patient education, and integrative medicine. Imaging technology at the center includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner, digital x-ray imaging, mammography, stereotactic mammography, and ultrasound diagnostics. Treatment tools include a CT simulator and two state-of-the-art linear accelerators that map and deliver intensity-modulated radiation beams. This leading-edge technology enhances the precision of radiation therapy while reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue. Chemotherapy treatments are administered in a soothing environment where the nurses and staff appreciate and understand the concerns of cancer patients and their families. The staff's sole focus is on cancer, so patients can be sure that their treatment will reflect the most advanced knowledge about how to treat and live with cancer. Designed by the Philadelphia-based firm EwingCole, the new facility occupies a small portion of a 26-acre tract of wooded land, leaving most of the property with tranquil views of nature. The building has a curved form and a soft look, and windows throughout the center flood interior spaces with light. Even typically isolated interior spaces such as those used for MRI services offer daylight and views of nature. Inside and outside, the color palette emphasizes earthy, natural hues and warm colors. Memorial Sloan-Kettering has been providing exceptional care for patients with cancer in New Jersey for more than a decade with facilities in Dover and Denville, New Jersey. Those programs have now been moved into the new facility in Basking Ridge, which has the potential to expand to a total 162,000 square feet. The new facility employs approximately 100 people, including 15 physicians, and is expected to accommodate 200 outpatient visits each day. All staff, including physicians, are full-time employees of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and have the same level of training and expertise as staff at MSKCC's Manhattan location and other regional sites. MSKCC's growing network of regional care centers also includes facilities on Long Island and in Westchester County, New York. In 2005, there were more than 450,000 outpatient visits at these regional care sites. MSK Basking Ridge is the largest ambulatory care facility in MSKCC's regional care network and the first stand-alone facility for MSKCC in New Jersey. "We are replicating Memorial Sloan-Kettering's very successful model of outpatient cancer care, based on years of experience of our expert medical staff, and making our services more accessible to patients," said Lopman. ### Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research, and education in cancer. Our scientists and clinicians generate innovative approaches to better understand, diagnose, and treat cancer. Our specialists are leaders in biomedical research and in translating the latest research to advance the standard of cancer care worldwide. MSK At Basking Ridge By The Numbers * 2 Linear Accelerators * Digital and Sterotactic Mammography * 1 MRI * 1 PET/CT * 1 CT Scanner * 1 CT Simulator * 23 Chemotherapy Suites * Lab and Pharmacy * Dermatology and Mohs' Surgery (Treatment for squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas that allows the surgeon to pinpoint and remove cancerous tissue while leaving the healthy skin intact.) Cost: Approximately $72.5 million, including design and construction More than 100 employees, including 15 physicians Contact: Christine Hickey Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=50974

Donna Thanks for that link! What an uplifting concept!! Chris

Peggy Adding my prayers and best wishes to you and your son. Chris

Grace, I am so sorry about this latest news. Please know you and your family are in my prayers. Grace, there is still HOPE. Please remember that. As long as his oncologist is conferring with the other doctors there is HOPE. As hard as this is, you will make it through this. You will find the strength and your husband will not hate you for keeping up the search, the fight for the magic bullet! And, remember too, we are all here for you and we will all do whatever we can to help you. Sending you love, hugs, and prayers, lots and lots of prayers, Chris

Lori My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Chris

Hello Jodi and welcome I am so sorry about your dad's situation. I am glad you have posted and shared your story with us. Although I personally cannot give you much in the way of advice I am sure that the others will be along soon with some wonderful words of wisdom. I will say that a 2nd opinion from a comprehensive cancer treatment center would most likely be a very good move. Please keep us posted and let us know how we can help. Sending prayers to you and your family, Chris

Hi Chuck I have no experience with the device you mention here but have heard of it before. I did a quick search and came up with the following information site. http://www.altered-states.net/barry/Lak ... ectric.htm If nothing else it was an interesting read. Please note the disclaimer at the very, very end of the page... DISCLAIMER Altered States products are sold for learning, self-improvement and simple relaxation. No statement contained in this catalogue, and no information provided by any Altered States employee, should be construed as a claim or representation that these products are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or any other medical condition. The information contained in this catalogue is deemed to be based on reliable and authoritative report. However, certain persons considered experts may disagree with one or more of the statements contained here. Altered States assumes no liability or risk involved in the use of the products described here. We make no warranty, expressed or implied, other than that the material conforms to applicable standard specifications. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb,radionics tool,or supplement discussed herein. Wishing you and Lisa all the best, Chris

Laura, Never apologize for "rambling". We are here to listen and help you however we can. I am sorry that your mom is going through this. This cancer journey is a very difficult road but it is do~able. It sounds like your mom's oncologist has a good outlook on your moms case and is willing to fight this with her. It may not always be easy, but as long as they is HOPE, it is worth it. Try some Boost or Ensure for mom, those are full of good stuff that will help her regain some of her strength. And keep pushing fluids. That is so important. Please keep us posted, ramble when you need to~ Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and your family, Chris

Char Some great information and advice here already. I would only add that talking to the dr about it is always a good and safe bet, as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep us posted, Chris

I know the commercial you are talking about and I agree. A commercial like that to bring lung cancer to the front and center would be such a great thing! Chris

Hi I have to agree with Randy. A trip to the ER definitely sounds like a good idea. Best to err on the side of caution. Keep us posted, Sending prayers and positive thoughts Chris

Shirley Prayers continue. Please know you are all in my thoughts. Keep us posted Hugs Chris

Melinda My prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Chris

Shirley Thanks for the update. I sent you a reply to your pm. Prayers continue of course and they will as you know. Try and relax and keep that paranoia at bay. I know it is easier said than done..... Hugs and yell if you need me Chris

Shirley Prayers are said, and more to come. Please please please try and keep calm. This is the time of year for ALL those nasty germs to rear their heads, colds, flu~type things. Praying that is all Dad has. Keep us posted and know the prayers will continue Chris

Kelli I have no answers for you but wanted to let you know how very sorry I am that you are having to go through all of this. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Chris

Modern Radiation Therapy Ups Lung Cancer Survival 01 Sep 2006 Modern three-dimensional radiation therapy has been proven to be more successful at curing lung cancer than older two-dimensional radiation therapy for some patients with early stage lung cancer, according to a new study in the September 1, 2006 edition of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 87 percent of all lung cancers diagnosed. Currently, the best treatment for stage I NSCLC is surgery or stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), often followed by chemotherapy if the lesion was larger than 3 cm or radiotherapy and chemotherapy if the surgical margin or hilar or mediastinal nodes were positive at the time of operation. The five-year survival outcomes are very high, with 50 to 67 percent of these patients living at least five years after diagnosis if patients had a well staged stage I NSCLC. When surgery is not an option because the patient has heart problems or other complications, treatment options include varying types of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, alone or in combination. In this study, doctors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston wanted to see if conventional radiation therapy worked as well as the newer three- dimensional conformal radiation therapy (also called 3D-CRT) at curing patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer. 3D-CRT was created to improve upon older types of radiation therapy by allowing doctors to aim several radiation beams at the tumor to shape or "conform" the radiation to the lung. The idea is that tailoring each beam allows doctors to give more radiation to the tumor while keeping it away from nearby healthy tissues. Between 1978 and 2003, 200 patients with medically inoperable stage I NSCLC were treated with radiation therapy alone. Eighty-five received 3D-CRT while 115 received conventional therapy. Thirty-six percent of patients who received 3D-CRT lived five years after diagnosis compared to 10 percent who received the conventional therapy. Their causes of deaths were more related to intercurrent disease rather than cancer. Local failure was significantly reduced by 3D-CRT compared to conventional RT. "This study proves that three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy improves outcomes for patients with medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer," said Ritsuko Komaki, M.D. "Patients with this type of lung cancer should ask their radiation oncologist about 3D-CRT." Dr. Komaki is a radiation oncologist and professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. For more information on lung cancer, visit http://www.rtanswers.org. ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,500 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment. American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology http://www.astro.org http://www.rtanswers.org Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=50955 .

Linda I was very wary about some of the no~name sites, (so to speak) when I was looking for information, too. I have a ton of other info that I am so skeptical about that I am hesitant to post it. (about other topics as well as the soy issues) Brad was the type that hated any type of drug so the treatment program was doubly difficult as it went against everything he used to strive to avoid. Hence my quest into natural and alternative therapies. I will continue to dig through what I have and if I come across anything else I will be more than happy to post it. All my best to you Chris

Linda I did a quick scan through some of the files I have here and came up with this. Hope it helps a bit.. Chris 'Phytoestrogens' May Reduce Lung Cancer Risk Smokers, Non-Smokers Benefit From Certain Foods Foods containing chemicals with weak estrogen-like activity appear to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer in smokers and non-smokers, according to new study results. M. D. Anderson investigators reported in the Sept. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association that participants who ate the highest amount of foods with dietary “phytoestrogens” had a 46% reduced risk of developing lung cancer, compared to those who ate the lowest quantity. Phytoestrogens are plant chemicals (such as soy, grains, legumes and vegetables) that bind to the estrogen receptors present in normal and malignant lung tissue, and that could play a role in the regulation or deregulation of cancer growth. Men and women benefit from different foods The study also found the following gender-specific benefits: Men and soy – Men who ate the highest amount of soy-isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen found in soymilk, soy, miso) lowered their risk of developing lung cancer by 72%. Women and fruit – Women who ate certain lignans (a type of phytoestrogen found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, berries and teas) lowered their risk of developing lung cancer by 41%. For those women who also used hormone replacement therapy, this protective effect was further enhanced. The type of lignans found effective in the study include broccoli, carrots, lettuce, onions and flaxseed. Reliability of participant memory may weaken study results More than 3,500 people participated in the research, making it the largest case-control study to examine dietary phytoestrogens and lung cancer risk in the United States, researchers say. Between 1995 and 2003, the research team enrolled 1,674 patients treated for lung cancer at M. D. Anderson, and 1,735 healthy “control” volunteers from private clinics in the Houston area. The participants were asked detailed questions about their diet for the year prior to their enrollment or to their cancer diagnosis, with the assumption that what they ate that year reflected their general eating pattern over a number of years, says the study’s lead author, Matthew Schabath, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in M. D. Anderson’s Department of Epidemiology. “What we’ve found is intriguing and supports a small but growing body of evidence that suggests estrogenic-like compounds in food may help protect against development of lung and other cancers,” Schabath says. “But these kinds of studies, which rely on a person’s recall of the food they’ve eaten months before, have known limitations and require more investigation.” Non-smokers’ lung cancer risk reduced by foods One of the most intriguing findings, Schabath says, is that people who never smoked had a reduced chance of developing the disease if they ate large quantities of phytoestrogen-rich food. “About 15% of lung cancers occur in those who have never smoked. Besides exposure to second-hand smoke, other risk factors for these cancers are yet to be determined,” Schabath says. Previous hormone replacement research leads to study The study builds on the group’s 2004 finding that women who used hormone replacement therapy (medication that restores estrogen to postmenopausal women) had a lower risk of developing lung cancer than women who didn’t use these agents, given a similar history of cigarette use. If estrogen drugs could protect against lung cancer, the researchers wondered if the same is true of foods that have naturally occurring low levels of estrogens. Several epidemiological studies of phytoestrogenic foods had suggested that might be the case for breast, endometrial and prostate cancers. Results don’t mean smoking should continue As promising as the study findings are, they shouldn’t be seen as a license for smokers to continue smoking while increasing consumption of vegetables, cautions the study’s principal investigator, Margaret Spitz, M.D., chair of M. D. Anderson’s Department of Epidemiology. “The best cancer prevention advice continues to be to stop smoking, and it is clear that all of us can benefit from healthy eating and exercising,” Spitz says. “Still, our results generally show that higher intake of these foods resulted in lower lung cancer risk, and that is certainly a tantalizing preliminary finding.” http://www.cancerwise.org/october_2005/ ... isplayFull

Hello Melissa and welcome I am so glad you posted your mom's story here. What a wonderful, caring and loving daughter you are! I hope you will continue to post and share your positive attitude and uplifting outlook with us all here. Chris

Hello Sue and welcome, I am sorry you had reason to find us here on this site, but very glad you did. You have gotten some pretty good advice here so far and I cannot add to that. Most of the people here DO feel strongly about getting second opinions. It never hurts to see what other options are out there. Please keep us posted and know that we are here to help you however we can as well as support you in your fight. Chris

Joanie and Brian Continued prayers for you both. I hope this will all be behind you soon~ Hugs Chris

Oh WOW.. it just keeps getting better and better!!! The new logo is great! Keep up the good work Katie and Rick and thanks so much for ALL that you do!! Chris

Congratulations Maryann~ And welcome to this wonderful site We look forward to getting to "know" you! Chris