deruo Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Sorry for xposting this here and in the general area.... Very briefly, this is what the situation is - My mom has been diagnosed with SCLC (yesterday) The only facility that we can get into says that it may be another week or TWO to see an oncologist. All we have at this point is a diagnosis. I don't want to wait 2 weeks and frankly, with the coughing she's been doing, I don't think it's a good idea - her breathing is getting worse. I've asked to be referred to a major cancer hospital in Toronto, but was told that it would probably be faster sticking with the referral we've already got. At this point, we're willing to pack up a wheel barrow of cash and head to the States to get her seen by specialists there - but who? Where? Do you need a referral in the States for everything like it seems you need here in Canada? We hear rumblings that as long as you can pay, you'll be seen "right away". Can ANYONE suggest what we should do? We're in southern Ontario, panicking, frustrated and willing to travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Don't panic,I know that is easy to say and hard to do.Actually 2 weeks isn't a really long time to wait , if she weren't coughing up blood I would suggest waiting but I don't think that's a good idea under the circumstances.You probably would wait longer here.I was coughing up blood also but mabe not as bad,I still ended up waiting 4 to 6 weeks until all the different tests and scans had been completed,and type,stage and all that stuff.Once it was all done & we met with onc,& thoracic surgeon & got all the bad news the surgeon (i liked him & trusted him a lot)kidding around said well Frank I happen to have an opening tomorrow.I said what time I'll be there.(just about floored him with that).The next day from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm I had my entire left lung removed.But bottom line I still waited 4 to 6 weeks while they did all kinds of tests and scans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitkathi Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 See if you she get on a waiting list (in case anyone cancels) at the hospital that she currently has an appointment with. A week isn't too terribly long, but to someone who has cancer and is stressed, anxious, and worried, it probably seems like a lifetime. But SCLC is quite aggressive so you wouldn't want to wait too long. It would probably take that long or longer to get seen at a U.S. hospital (especially major cancer centers like Sloan-Kettering in N.Y.) Good luck with whatever route you choose. I hope an earlier opening pops up. Sorry you had to find us but glad to have you on board. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. The people here are full of information and inspiration. Keep us posted. kitkathi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 I agree with Katie. I don't know much about SCLC, but I do know that she's right that it is the fast-growing one, so I would push, push, push for an earlier date and get it if you can. Also, if you feel she is so bad that she must have immediate attention, get her to ER. SCLC grows fast, but is very responsive to chemo. Keep us posted. God bless you, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 I second Katie! I was in remission for 1 year getting CT's every 2 mos and well between those two months I had a new tumor pop up in my L lung the size of a baseball. 60 days and there it was, a new one. Push and call everyone and try to get her in sooner. Call everyday to see if there is a cancellation. Good Luck, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Yes call everyday for cancellations. I hope they can get her in quick. Small Cell does espond very well to teatment. David C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Deruo, Waiting is such a terrible added stress to what you and your mother are currently going through. I agree, try to get on a waiting list for cancellations, and call every day (the proverbial squeaky wheel). If her coughing and breathing continue to deteriorate, run, don't walk to the nearest ER. I was "lucky" enough to have been admitted to the hospital because of severe shortness of breath when I was initially dx with SCLC, and my chemo was started within days. As said before, SCLC moves very fast but it usually responds very well to chemo. Hoping things go well for you both, keep us posted. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 deruo, We are also dealing with the Canadian healthcare system. My Mom was diagnosed last December with lung cancer and did not get a full diagnosis of SCLC until February 2004. We were fortunate that she was confirmed at a limited stage. She lives in a small town and the local hospital was not equipped to deal with her case at all. We kept being referred to visiting oncologists/pulmonary specialists who would come to town once a week. This all occured over the holidays and in January when things were not moving quickly and we had yet another run-in with a local doctor who would not provide a referral to a large facility in Montreal, my brother and I took things into our own hands. We made cold calls to some hospitals we had heard had first-rate cancer treatment. We asked to speak with someone in pulmonary oncology and were put through. Within 5 minutes of explaining our situation to them we had an appointment for our Mom. It would have been the next day, but we needed to pull all her x-rays, scans and test results from the hospital she was at. You could begin by asking around about good regional cancer facilities in the region (see link below). Get a hold of the main line for the hospital and ask for pulmonary oncology or failing that oncology. State your case and ask for their help. If they can help you, I am sure they will try. Ask for any hospital tests relating to the diagnosis to be placed on CD-Rom so that you may bring it if you are able to secure an appointment (this will speed up their ability to confirm diagnosis and move ahead). Lastly, do not cancel the existing appointment until you get something better. We too flirted with the idea of treatment in the US. We were fortunate that we were able to get her treated in a first-rate cancer facility here in Canada. The link below may help you as it provides information about cancer centres in Windsor, Hamilton, Toronto and London: http://www.cancercare.on.ca/access_regionalPrograms.htm Hope this is helpful! Keep the faith and breathe deeply. Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deruo Posted September 16, 2004 Author Share Posted September 16, 2004 Kel, if you don't mind me asking.... which chemo was used? We're using cisplatin and etopiside. I asked about others but was told that they got best results with these two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 deruo, Seems like the combination of cisplatin and etoposide is the same as what my Mom used. I will double check with her. I am on the other side of the country right now - give me a little while and I will get back to you. Keep fighting the good fight! Cheers, Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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