Brain tumors, spine tumors and a comment about CTCA

pinkyfromtexas · New User Joined: 25 Jul 2009 Posts: 1 Location: USA

Greetings to all.

I am a 39 year old angry female cancer patient.

I am one of those people who hoped NOT for a miracle but a fighting chance from Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2008. I sought treatment at a local suburban hospital. I elected not to tell my then fiancee until New Years 2009 (insert your comment here.)

After I revealed my secret he moved my case to a very large, reputable hospital. Things were going ok but I had the fear that he would get tired of driving 40 minutes one way for each and every office visit or treatment. I discharged myself from the major hospital and sought doctors in another suburban community. However I told my now husband that the major hospital had arranged to have my testing performed in the suburbs and the major hospital would collect the data, evaluate and decide a course of treatment. I was too stupid to think my plan would work because my husband discovered the truth and chewed my ass out.

We went back to the major hospital as by now I had begun suffering severe leg pain.

What the major hospital told me is that I have a tumor on my spine and due to a pre-existing heart condition I am not a candidate for surgery.

I saw the TV commercials for CTCA and wanted to give it a try. So without discussing the issue with my husband, I telephoned to enroll. Then they asked for his insurance information so I had to tell my husband what I was up to (yep, got my ass chewed again).

Exactly one month ago we arrived at CTCA and I was full of hope and inspiration. This Monday I will get the official word from CTCA that they do not have the facilities/experience to deal with brain tumors and spinal tumors (Yes, I guess I picked up a brain tumor along the way).

Yes I admit my doctor shopping and secret manipulations may have cost me some valuable time. I am leaving CTCA very disappointed. Not once in their sales pitch/intro meetings did they say they could not handle all types of cancer (I am assuming my tumors are cancer. I will have a biopsy tomorrow of the spinal tumor).

If I need to move on to another facility, then so be it.

I called MD Anderson in my hometown of Houston (but not my current residence) and they told me they are unable to treat brain tumors.

I received a recommendation from a CTCA cancer buddy of Dr. Javad Hekmat-panah of the University of Chicago Hospital.

[url]http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/javad-hekmat-panah.html[/url]

My husband did recommend this hospital mainly because of the rating it received from UsNews & World Report Magazine

[url]http://health.usnews.com/health/best-hospitals/cancer-hospital-rankings/[/url]

I decided otherwise because it's in an ugly neighborhood. I realize now I may not have a choice. I had lots of choices in the past but squandered every one of them.

What's going through my head? I will tell you. Why do I deserve all this at such a young age? Why did I deceive my husband? Will he forgive me? I have put that man through hell, why should I expect him to continue to be at my side because of how stupidly I acted? Will I be here to see Christmas 2009? Will I see our first wedding anniversary in February 2010?

I am open to comments, suggestions and criticisms.

Thank You for reading.

kenobewan · Regular Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 25

Sorry you have had a hard time of it. I believe that you are right to be cautious who you consult with and seek more than one opinion.

I am certain that the staff at MD Anderson would be very surprized to hear about your call. They are one of the best cancer/ brain tumor centers in the country. If you want to try using the contact details on their website - [url]http://www.mdanderson.org[/url].

From what you are saying you have a metastic cancer that has begun in one site and spread. The best of luck with your treatments and let us know if you have better luck contacting a BT Treatment Center this time.

Here is a comprehensive list of treatment centers, including international - [url]http://www.virtualtrials.com/btcenters.cfm[/url].

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