<snip>

Hi Andy,

I'm very sorry to hear about your nephew.  I hope the doctor has
missed the mark regarding your nephew's survival.  Something to
consider that I found recently while web browsing: "Clinical
prediction of survival has been found to be erroneous  (defined as
more than double or less than half of actual survival) 30% of the time
in expert hands."  I guess the converse of that is that they're not
erroneous 70% of the time.

I was diagnosed myself at 38 with stage 4 rectal cancer.  I've been
through radiation, quite a bit of surgery and a variety of
chemotherapies.  I'm 42 now and still kicking :-) (and still
undergoing treatment).  So it is possible to give this disease a
pretty good run for the money.

I wish you and your family well.  Hang in there.

Best regards,
Holden

andy-hart@rogers.com said...

Yes, you're probably right.  One thing though, it's also important
that your sister and her family don't feel isolated and ignored, so
let them know that you are there and willing to be involved as and
when wanted/needed.  A quick phone call just to ask how they're
doing and is there anything they'd like help with might be helpful
right now; for example your sister may not feel like doing even
routine things like going shopping if she and her family are still
talking and trying to come to terms with what has happened.  Somehow
there has to be a balance between allowing them space and not
allowing them to feel abandoned.

Have some more {{{{{hugs}}}}} to pass around to the family when you
see them next.

Everyone needs time to absorb the shock and then plan the course of action
to take, remain positive, remain hopeful.

Hugs cost nothing but in times of need mean so so much (and we all know that
so well here!)

Hugs Now

Alayne

Hello Andy,
Another Canadian. I thought so because I saw "bloor" in your posting headers. I
remember when The Wave changed back to Rogers, people were having trouble with
their settings and it was explained on Rogers cable channel.

Steph's a radiation oncologist (also) in Canada (if you see his posts).

I really do want to help you with information so you know how and when to
discuss things with his mother and father, but there's still so much missing
information. Some of this information will be important when making a decision
about what treatment, if any, to go for. It's my understanding that there's
different strengths -  "high dose" chemo and "palliative chemo" (to help with
symptoms).
I suspect they'll need a strong shoulder to rely on and you sound like "just the
ticket".

The abdominal cavity contains most of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the
kidneys and adrenal glands.
http://training.seer.cancer.gov/module_anatomy/unit1_3_terminology3_cavities.html

I don't know if they drew out fluids during the surgery and found cancer cells
in the fluids, or if they removed lymph nodes or if they saw cancer in one of
the organs there.

Is he still in hospital recovering? Or at home?
Has an appointment been set up to see an oncologist?
Maybe you could arrange to go with him to see his doctor or the oncologist and
take notes and a list of questions to ask.
I think the parents do need some time, but the situation needs a steering
committee and you may be able to play a role in that.

Do let us know as you obtain more informiation.
Since you like hugs, I'll send you some also.
*hugs to Andy and family*
J

nice try - spammer - quack !

Another one to filter (Block in your newsreader)

poster name:   Victor Zeng
posting e-mail: vzeng@mywellworks.com
J