CONTACTS 

SUBJECTS
Friend Diagnosed Throat Esophageal Cancer Starting Chemotherapy Radi

0503 -
0503 -    ..
0504 - Summary/Objective
0505 -
050501 - Follow up ref SDS 7 0000, ref SDS 6 0000.
050502 -
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050504 -
050506 -  ..
0506 -
0507 -
0508 - Progress
0509 -
050901 - Background reported on 100828 1532. ref SDS 6 RJ5H
050902 -
050903 - Received letter from Chris saying...
050904 -
050905 -    1.  Subject: RE: Change Phone and Email
050906 -        Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:11:28 -0400
050913 -         ..
050914 -    2.  Thanks for the update on communications. [...responding to the
050915 -        letter sent yesterday to everyone notifying of new phone and
050916 -        email, reported on 100922 2002. ref SDS 7 VB5H...]  I've been
050917 -        meaning to call you and want to hear about your trip back East
050918 -        ...[notified Chris about trip to Connecticut in a letter on
050919 -        100828 1532. ref SDS 6 L69S...], but received some bad news
050920 -        yesterday from Patrick (my good friend) who told me he has been
050921 -        diagnosed with cancer.  This has really just knocked me for a
050922 -        loop all over again. [...Chris has been the responsible sibling
050923 -        for her mother the past few years, and recently had to arrange
050924 -        for her care in a nursing home, mentioned in the letter to
050925 -        Chris on 100828 1532. ref SDS 6 WB7O...]
050926 -
050927 -            [...below on 100923 0952 1042 respond to Chris' letter.
050928 -            ref SDS 0 413L
050930 -         ..
050931 -    3.  He's had a large lump on side of his neck for about 6 mos.  He
050932 -        finally went to doctor who ordered an MRI and needle
050933 -        aspiration.  Doctor called him yesterday afternoon and told him
050934 -        the results.  On Monday he goes in for a pet scan to determine
050935 -        where the cancer is coming from.
050937 -         ..
050938 -    4.  His spirits are pretty good but I know this is going to be
050939 -        difficult for him.  I've been taking care of his 4 cats while
050940 -        he was visiting his sister in New Mexico and he just returned
050941 -        on Monday.  He will have to undergo chemo and radiation he was
050942 -        told by his doctor.  (Dr. Mickel, throat specialist here in
050943 -        S.F. - maybe you have heard of him because of your case
050944 -        history)  Told Patrick he should check him out to see if he was
050945 -        well known.
050946 -
050947 -            [...below on 100923 0952 1042 notify Chris have not
050948 -            encountered Doctor Mickel in connection with my care for
050949 -            achalasia. ref SDS 0 V16P
050951 -         ..
050952 -    5.  I will call you soon Rod.  Thanks for the email letting me know
050953 -        about your recent procedure as well.  Hope you are doing much
050954 -        better.
050955 -
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050983 -
050985 -  ..
0510 -
0511 -
0512 - 1042
0513 -
051301 - Sent letter to Chris saying...
051302 -
051303 -    1.  Subject: Patrick's Diagnosis
051304 -        Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:10:40 -0700
051311 -         ..
051312 -    2.  So sorry to hear about Patrick. [...diagnosed throat cancer,
051313 -        reported in Chris' letter received today, per above.
051314 -        ref SDS 0 H65I...]  Hopefully, new "targeted" treatments that
051315 -        helped Millie the past 6 years will be available for Patrick's
051316 -        recovery with minimal side effects. [...targeted treatments are
051317 -        explained in Millie's patient history reviewing an article on
051318 -        PARP, and shown on 100112 0830. ref SDS 2 1D4G...]
051320 -         ..
051321 -    3.  I am not familiar with Doctor Mickel. [...asked about in Chris'
051322 -        letter this morning, shown above, ref SDS 0 KF9Q...]
051323 -        Fortunately, have not gotten throat cancer, despite
051324 -        long-standing achalasia, finally treated with surgery last year
051325 -        on 091216. ref SDS 1 4M5T  While swallowing restrictions still
051326 -        occur, the problem is less severe.  Testing last month was
051327 -        negative for cancer. [...reported on 100827 0738. ref SDS 5
051328 -        0466...]  My concern is heart disease.  I need to maintain a
051329 -        level of exercise to prevent or at least stretch out
051330 -        recurrence.  Millie was terrific ensuring we hiked regularly.
051331 -        We were complimentary helping each other - made a great team!!
051333 -         ..
051334 -    4.  Getting chemo and radiation is standard after initial
051335 -        diagnosis.  Cancer obviously presents physical and emotional
051336 -        issues from pain and suffering with fear of decline and
051337 -        survival.  Hopefully, Patrick will achieve remission after
051338 -        adjuvant therapy, so treatments can be ended, perhaps for
051339 -        several years.  Though Millie never had remission, she enjoyed
051340 -        a quality of life worth living for many years thanks to you and
051341 -        others who were always there with encouragement. [...reported
051342 -        in memoriam for Millie on 100731 2221. ref SDS 4 CO7M...]
051343 -        Being engaged with people doing routine things is critical at
051344 -        this time for Patrick, as well.
051346 -         ..
051347 -    5.  Daily details of oncology care increase, while ability and
051348 -        desire to cope decline for both patients and doctors.  In Mil's
051349 -        case, the medical team was eventually overwhelmed and
051350 -        collapsed, reported in her last meeting at Kaiser. ref SDS 3
051351 -        4F6I
051353 -         ..
051354 -    6.  Starting out, Patrick is a long way from this situation.  Of
051355 -        course doctors, like all of us, have dynamics in their personal
051356 -        and professional lives that influence effectiveness.
051357 -        Overcoming negative synergy is aided by shielding patients from
051358 -        details of case management so that things get done without the
051359 -        patient being filled with worry and doubt that leads to giving
051360 -        up.
051362 -         ..
051363 -    7.  Patrick is very fortunate to have your friendship and
051364 -        experience from the past 10 years being close to Millie.
051366 -         ..
051367 -    8.  Keep in mind, too, that everyone is different.  There is no
051368 -        "right answer" to recovering from cancer.  The first treatment
051369 -        Millie had failed, so we moved to the next and it worked
051370 -        better.  First and foremost take care of yourself.  You can't
051371 -        help others if you neglect personal health and exercise.
051373 -         ..
051374 -    9.  Again, I'm so sorry you now have Patrick, and also your mom to
051375 -        continue being her main support contact.
051377 -         ..
051378 -   10.  Look forward to talking with you.
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