Katz - Diane is right -- you have found support here. And I'm thrilled you want to present your doctor with a list of questions so you can better manage expectations.
We submitted your question to a Phoenix-based oncologist by the name of Dr. Mike Janicek. And while he mentioned that your case was extremely complex and it may be unlikely to get definite answers to difficult questions, here's what he had to say:
"As a general perspective, however, Kat should get a clarification regarding what is incurable vs. terminal. Many cancers are incurable, but patients can enjoy a reasonable quality of life with chemo- to keep the cancer "at bay" for some time. Terminal implies death is imminent from active disease in weeks to a few months at most... We rarely ever give chemo to terminal patients, and it does not sound at all like Kat should be categorized as "terminal."
I hope this at least helps a bit... Kat is a brave warrior in her long, brutal battle against cancer!"
MJ
To learn more about Dr. Janicek and his practice, visit this link.
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Katz - Diane is right -- you have found support here. And I'm thrilled you want to present your doctor with a list of questions so you can better manage expectations.
We submitted your question to a Phoenix-based oncologist by the name of Dr. Mike Janicek. And while he mentioned that your case was extremely complex and it may be unlikely to get definite answers to difficult questions, here's what he had to say:
"As a general perspective, however, Kat should get a clarification regarding what is incurable vs. terminal. Many cancers are incurable, but patients can enjoy a reasonable quality of life with chemo- to keep the cancer "at bay" for some time. Terminal implies death is imminent from active disease in weeks to a few months at most... We rarely ever give chemo to terminal patients, and it does not sound at all like Kat should be categorized as "terminal."
I hope this at least helps a bit... Kat is a brave warrior in her long, brutal battle against cancer!"
MJ
To learn more about Dr. Janicek and his practice, visit this link.
May 22, 2009 - 9:31amThis Comment
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