Starting the research process

kitty · New User Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Good morning,

I am not sure where to even start...

My husband is "sick". Weight loss, loss of appetite, change in bowel functions. Without giving all the details, I really became concerned within the last few weeks - when these outward syptoms became glaringly apparent. Our relationship has been a bit rocky over the past year - I lost my job, his work environment changed - a lot of related stress. I am so angry at myself for not noticing anything sooner.

Yesterday, he finally confided in me that he thinks he may have either colon or prostate cancer (he had prostitatitis about 10 years ago and some current symptoms are similar). He thinks both. He has secretly done some research, but to what extent I do not know. So now I am on the bandwagon. However, it is very difficult to get any info. from him as far as symptoms, etc. He has always been like that.

He is completely against medicine, surgery, chemo, radiation. He strongly feels the body can heal itself given proper nutrition. He is currently taking nutritional suppliments to *supposedly* boost his immune system, etc. Apparently, he heard of a chemist from MIT, who is a prostate cancer survivor, who developed the suppliment regime he is taking. I agree in that suppliments may play an important role in proper health, but traditional cancer treatments are very important.

Anyway...we live in Michigan, 30 miles west of Ann Arbor. We currently do not have a primary care physician per se as we never feel the need to go to the Dr. I want my husband to get a diagnosis. He is very reluctant because he hates traditional medicine. I want the absolute best care for my husband. Our insurance is a PPO. I need to drag his butt to a doctor -otherwise he will not go on his own until he is at his witt's end. I honestly do not know where to start considering we don't have a pcp. At this initial point, would an internist be an appropriate start? Family doctors, God bless them, always seem too busy treating people with the common cold, flu, etc...

Additionally, if you live in or near the Ann Arbor area, can anyone recommend a good "starting point" physician? Preferably, affiliated with St. Joseph Mercy, not Uof M

Thank you.

brainman

kitty, I am very sorry about your husband's health concerns and doubly sad that he is resistant to going to a doctor. There is no way for him to know what he has without seeing a doctor. It might not even be cancer.

The place to start is really with a GP. Sometimes it is next to impossible to get in to see a top specialist without a referring physician. And a GP can at least rule out a few issues and point you in the right direction.

Keep us informed. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

kitty · New User Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Thank you Brainman. Your responses are always very compassionate.

[quote]There is no way for him to know what he has without seeing a doctor. It might not even be cancer.[/quote]

I agree. We had a lengthy, detailed discussion this afternoon and I brought up this point, although he is quite certain he knows what is wrong. I understand his not wanting to undergo surgery, chemo, etc. - we talked about this many years ago under a hypothetical assumption. However, he really does need a definitive diagnosis - I need a definitive diagnosis so I can know how to better help him.

So...I am researching physicians now. I will keep you posted.

brainman · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Starting the research process

Even if after going through the not so difficult steps to get a diagnosis and finding out that it really is cancer, your husband will have more information to help him make a decision about treatments. If he opts for no treatment, he at least as some idea about what he can expect.

But each of us is different and need to make these decisions for ourselves.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1302

Hi Kitty,

I fully agree with Brainman's (Jim's) last post. I know how darn hard-headed these men can be, but the least he should do for you is to have an accurate diagnosis. He's shooting in the dark by taking supplements that may not even be beneficial to whatever problem he actually has. (Did that make sense?)

Good luck and God bless.

Keep us posted and tell him you'll sick me on him if he doesn't at least go to the doc to find out what is wrong. Wink

Why live thinking the worst when it may be something treatable?

Many good wishes,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

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