Aa
This is what they mean by effective?
I apologize in advance for this duplicate post, but I wanted to start another thread so that this thought doesnt get lost in the shuffle.
Anyway.....Turns out my brother wasnt paying attention.
I spoke with the doc myself....and she did say that the treatment is very effective and that 50% go into remission. The thing is, of those 50%, about 40% of those the cancer comes back.
I work with numbers for a living so this means, in agreement with the doctor, that the chances for long term survival are only 30%. They call that effective?!
The doc tried to comfort me and say you cant just look at those numbers. My mom had a successful surgery and right now she is doing well. I have to hold onto that. But still - the numbers terrify me.
I start the support group next week. Im falling apart - I cant sleep through the night and Im always crying. I have to be strong for my mom, but I cant pull myself together. Who the hell am I to feel sorry for myself when my poor mom, like many of you other women, have to go through this ordeal.
But come on, is 30% really considered effective? I was hoping for at least 50%. Actually the numbers really dont matter.....I just need my mom to fall into the category of beating this thing. Please pray for her.
Thank you.
Anyway.....Turns out my brother wasnt paying attention.
I spoke with the doc myself....and she did say that the treatment is very effective and that 50% go into remission. The thing is, of those 50%, about 40% of those the cancer comes back.
I work with numbers for a living so this means, in agreement with the doctor, that the chances for long term survival are only 30%. They call that effective?!
The doc tried to comfort me and say you cant just look at those numbers. My mom had a successful surgery and right now she is doing well. I have to hold onto that. But still - the numbers terrify me.
I start the support group next week. Im falling apart - I cant sleep through the night and Im always crying. I have to be strong for my mom, but I cant pull myself together. Who the hell am I to feel sorry for myself when my poor mom, like many of you other women, have to go through this ordeal.
But come on, is 30% really considered effective? I was hoping for at least 50%. Actually the numbers really dont matter.....I just need my mom to fall into the category of beating this thing. Please pray for her.
Thank you.
I posted just a little while ago to the other thread and I'm not sure if it got lost in the shuffle so I'll add it in...
Concerned,
Have you and the social worker talked about seeing a psychiatrist for anti-anxiety meds? You are right that you won't be as much help to your mom when your are busy with your own distress. I know people one who took valium and another something else for a while after a family member was diagnosed just to keep them from going bonkers. And in one case the mom needed to pull it together to help her daughter. As much as I avoid medication, in these cases it was a very good idea. What do you think?
As I said, if you look at the studies themselves, you will start to seeing that deriving general numbers from them is much more of an art than a science. And then they can loose all their power over you and you can just focus on your mom's unique pathway. I'm a mathematician, and so I tend to approach medical tests and results as black and white, but I've learned how different this field can be than math.
- C
Concerned,
Have you and the social worker talked about seeing a psychiatrist for anti-anxiety meds? You are right that you won't be as much help to your mom when your are busy with your own distress. I know people one who took valium and another something else for a while after a family member was diagnosed just to keep them from going bonkers. And in one case the mom needed to pull it together to help her daughter. As much as I avoid medication, in these cases it was a very good idea. What do you think?
As I said, if you look at the studies themselves, you will start to seeing that deriving general numbers from them is much more of an art than a science. And then they can loose all their power over you and you can just focus on your mom's unique pathway. I'm a mathematician, and so I tend to approach medical tests and results as black and white, but I've learned how different this field can be than math.
- C
Someone I know was diagnosed with Stage III lung cancer about a year ago. He has had two cycles of chemo and radiation. He is on steroids that has caused a fit man to plump up, lost his hair among other unpleasant things. He asked the oncologist what his survival rate was now that he had finished his treatment and appeared to be cancer free. The doctor replied the same as when you first came: 20% you will live beyond five years, 80% chance you will not. He asked me why he should continue coming to see a doctor. I told him to look at it as his glass is 20% full(I first said half full and he quickly reminded his percentage of 20%). I think they(the doctors) are considering these treatments effective because they are staged so high to begin with that 20% and 30% is a good number. I agree with you!! Do the research and find a better way. I will be thinking of you!!
Thank you, Dawn. Her name is Betty and she is truly a wonderful mother and a strong woman.
Im sure your sons turned out great. Im not exactly the best son because I have always taken my mom for granted. But I do love her very much and my heart is literally breaking over this.
I pray she is one of the lucky ones to go on many years with this.
Im sure your sons turned out great. Im not exactly the best son because I have always taken my mom for granted. But I do love her very much and my heart is literally breaking over this.
I pray she is one of the lucky ones to go on many years with this.
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