After posting questions on the ACS Message Boards, a helpful lady provided me a link to this sight and indicated that perhaps the members of this forum could help. I'm going to definitely bookmark this site. My husband had a right upper lobectomy in March 2003 after 6 months of fighting with physicians to obtain a diagnosis for a mass found on a chest xray (diagnosis confirmed the day after Christmas-some present). He has a hard time dealing with his condition and has left all the research up to me - my life has become a living hell. The surgeon suggested a "low-dose" palliative chemo just as a precautionary treatment since he is presently cancer free, especially after confirming my opinion that a treatment with high dose chemo and radiation was too dangerous and extreme and not required (this was suggested by the first oncologist). The second oncologist again suggested the same basic treatment but without the radiation based on a recently completed clinical study that was presented at the yearly Oncology meeting. I have done extensive research on all the cancer drugs and the two suggested are noted as highly toxic and recommeded for advance cancer patients who cannot have surgery. Not our case. I requested "low dose" chemo and was looked at as if I was speaking a foreign language and informed that he had no idea what I was talking about. Extensive research about the "AMAS" blood test also seemed to be a good source for follow-up and possible early detection in the event of recurrence, but this request too was brushed off because of no knowledge of such a test. I am so exhausted fighting the so called "experts" and dealing with Cancer Centers who appear only interested in dollars and not treatment. We have been left to obtain all the information and obtain the blood test on our own, but the oncologist will be "happy" to followup based on the results that we provide him.
I have researched every site I can find on the internet trying to find a low dose chemo regimen but without success. Does anyone know of a link or have personal knowledge of same? I'm at my wits end. The stress is getting unbearable. We are planning a four day trip to California the end of August to celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of some friends. Damn the cost - I opted for the ocean front room at a 4 star hotel and will be making an appointment at the spa for a nice massage. I need it bad!!
Sorry to go on for so long, but I could sure use some help in finding the information about low dose chemo regimens. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My husband has a network of male friends who are also cancer survivors that he can talk to, but I'm on my own and dealing with this solo.