Re: Fw: A guide to cancer treatment decisions

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/25/2007 12:28:05 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, stompingelk@... writes:

JOY,you are a Blessing!!

She IS!!!! She truly is!!!!!! You ALL are!!! ~Many Blessings and Love ~

JANEYMay the SPIRIT of Christmas bring you PEACEThe GLADNESS of Christmas give you HOPEThe WARMTH of Christmas grant you LOVESee AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

[Guest guest]

JOY,you are a Blessing!!

--- Joyce Hudson <bjoyful@...> wrote:

> Cancer treatment: Get involved in your cancer

> treatment decisions - MayoClinic.comEspecially for

> Janey. Blessings, Joy

>

>

>

>

> Medical Services | Health Information | Appointments

> | Education and Research | Jobs | About Cancer

> treatment: Get involved in your cancer treatment

> decisions

> Helping your doctor make decisions about your cancer

> treatment may make you feel more confident as you

> begin your cancer treatment. Find out how to get

> involved.

> You've just been diagnosed with cancer. Your mind is

> reeling. And now your doctor wants you to sort

> through the data and help decide on a cancer

> treatment plan.

>

> As research continues and more cancer treatment

> options become available, it's true — your doctor

> will likely encourage you to become an active

> participant in the decision-making process.

>

> But how do you decide upon a cancer treatment plan?

> Explore your options and discuss them with your

> doctor. Working together is a good way to feel more

> in control of your disease and more comfortable as

> you move forward with your cancer treatment.

>

> Before you begin

> Before exploring cancer treatment options, establish

> some ground rules. You'll be more comfortable with

> any decisions you make if you:

>

> a.. Decide how much you want to know. While most

> people want to know exactly what their cancer

> diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options are,

> others don't. If you don't want to know all the

> details, let your doctor know, and you and your

> doctor can devise a strategy that's appropriate for

> you.

> b.. Decide how you'll want to make your cancer

> treatment decisions. Think about how you normally

> like to make difficult decisions in your life. Are

> you someone who likes to gather all the information

> you can and take the lead in the decision-making

> process? Or do you prefer to turn all decisions over

> to someone you trust who has the expertise to make

> decisions for you? You might also be somewhere in

> the middle, sharing the decision process with your

> doctor.

>

> Your decision process for your cancer treatment is

> likely to be similar to the way you make other

> important decisions in your life. Cancer treatment

> decisions can be quite complex, and you'll need to

> develop a trusting relationship with your doctor so

> that you can work together. It may be reasonable to

> ask your doctor what he or she would recommend for

> his or her own family members if they were in your

> situation.

>

> c.. Have realistic expectations. Your doctor can

> give you estimates about what you can expect from

> each type of cancer treatment. But what you do with

> these estimates is up to you. Exactly what side

> effects you may be willing to put up with will

> depend on what the benefits of the cancer treatment

> are likely to be. Talk to your doctor about your

> preferences.

> d.. Keep the focus on you. Don't let anyone

> pressure you into a particular cancer treatment

> option. Pick what you feel most comfortable with.

> e.. Accept help. You'll need support throughout

> your treatment. Support can come from your doctor,

> your friends and your family. If you don't feel

> supported in your decision making, contact groups

> like the American Cancer Society, which can put you

> in contact with cancer survivors who can help

> support you through this process.

> It might help to write down your expectations and

> preferences before you meet with your doctor. That

> might help you better express your hopes for and

> feelings about your cancer treatment.

>

> Now, set your goals

> What do you want out of treatment? A cure,

> stabilization or solely symptom relief? Deciding

> what you want out of treatment will help you narrow

> your treatment choices. Depending on your cancer

> type and stage, your goals for treatment might be:

>

> a.. Cure. When you're first diagnosed, it's likely

> you'll be interested in treatments that cure cancer.

> When a cure is your goal, you may be willing to

> endure more short-term side effects in return for

> the chance at a cure.

> b.. Control. If your cancer is at a later stage or

> if treatment has been unsuccessful, you might adjust

> your goal to controlling your cancer. Different

> treatments may attempt to temporarily shrink or stop

> your cancer from growing. If this is your goal, you

> might not be willing to endure the side effects of

> harsher treatments.

> c.. Comfort. If you have an advanced stage cancer

> or one that hasn't responded to treatments, you

> might decide that comfort is most important to you.

> You and your doctor can work together to make sure

> you are free of pain and other symptoms.

> Research your treatment options

> To make a reasonable treatment decision, keep in

> mind the type of cancer you have, its stage, and

> what treatment options are available and how likely

> these treatments are to work. Talk to your doctor

> about Web sites, books and patient education

> materials to supplement your discussions.

>

> Most people receive chemotherapy, radiation, surgery

> or a combination of the three as part of their

> cancer treatment plan. Certain hormone-sensitive

> cancers, including breast and prostate cancers, may

> be treated with hormone therapy. Some treatments are

> experimental and are only available through clinical

> trials — studies used to help researchers

> understand the safety and efficacy of new

> treatments.

>

> Analyze the benefits versus the risks

> Compare the benefits and risks of the different

> cancer treatments to decide which treatments fall

> within your goals. Rate the treatments you're

> considering based on the pros and cons of each. Some

> aspects you'll want to consider for each treatment

> include:

>

> a.. Side effects. Each treatment has its own set

> of side effects. Take time to review the side

> effects and decide whether they'll be worth enduring

> or too much to handle. Your doctor can give you a

> good idea of how common the various side effects are

> for each treatment. He or she can also explain

> options for managing side effects to make treatment

> more tolerable.

> b.. How treatment affects your life. Will

> treatment mean a day off work or several weeks off?

> How will your role in your family change? Will you

> need to travel far from home for your treatment?

> Look at how treatment will affect your everyday

> life.

> c.. The financial costs of treatment. Investigate

> what types of treatment will be covered by your

> insurance provider. If a treatment or aspect of a

> treatment isn't covered, can you afford it? Call

> your insurance company if you're unsure.

> d.. Your health in general. If you have other

> health conditions, ask your doctor how treatment

> will affect those conditions. For example,

> corticosteroids are commonly used in people with

> cancer. This could complicate diabetes treatment and

> affect your risk of cataracts, hypertension and

> osteoporosis.

> Your personal values and goals will make a

> difference in what treatments are best for you. Only

> you can decide what type of treatment will fit best

> in your life. But don't feel as though you have to

> make a choice and stick with it — it's very

> possible that you may change your mind during

> treatment, and that's fine.

>

> Communicate with your doctor

> Effective communication with your doctor is the best

> way to make sure you're getting the information you

> need to make an informed decision. To make

> communicating with your doctor easier, try to:

>

> a.. Speak up when you don't understand. If you

> need further explanation or clarification, tell your

> doctor. If you don't speak up, your doctor may think

> you understand.

> b.. Write your questions in advance. Appointments

> can be stressful and emotional. Don't expect

> yourself to remember all the questions you want to

> ask.

> c.. Record your conversations. Whether you take

> detailed notes or bring a tape recorder, try to keep

> track of what your doctor tells you. This record

> will be a good reference if you have questions

> later.

> d.. Bring someone with you. If you feel

> comfortable sharing your medical information with a

> friend or family member, bring along someone to take

> notes with you. Then you'll have another person with

> whom you can talk through your treatment decisions.

> Don't expect you and your doctor to fully understand

> each other after one meeting — it may take a few

> conversations before you both feel as though you're

> on the same page.

>

> Other things to keep in mind

>

=== message truncated ===

Spiritual freedom is my birthright.

I am a free thinker. I am able to rise above mental

prejudices and stereotypes of others.

I am a free thinker. Nobody and nothing can manipulate

me or deceive me.

I am a free thinker. I freely choose truth and love.

Today, I embrace a greater degree of spiritual

freedom.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

[Guest guest]

I send patients to the cancer treatment centers of america. this place integrates both western and natural medicine treatments along with spiritual, nutritional, massage therapy; physical therapy; so that the treatment is focused on the whole person/

I have had more bad stories from the mayo clinic plus I have been personally screwed up by them.

nancie

Re: [ ] Fw: A guide to cancer treatment decisions

JOY,you are a Blessing!!--- Joyce Hudson <bjoyfuliglou> wrote:> Cancer treatment: Get involved in your cancer> treatment decisions - MayoClinic.comEspecially for> Janey. Blessings, Joy> > > > > Medical Services | Health Information | Appointments> | Education and Research | Jobs | About Cancer> treatment: Get involved in your cancer treatment> decisions> Helping your doctor make decisions about your cancer> treatment may make you feel more confident as you> begin your cancer treatment. Find out how to get> involved.> You've just been diagnosed with cancer. Your mind is> reeling. And now your doctor wants you to sort> through the data and help decide on a cancer> treatment plan.> > As research continues and more cancer treatment> options become available, it's true â?" your doctor> will likely encourage you to become an active> participant in the decision-making process.> > But how do you decide upon a cancer treatment plan?> Explore your options and discuss them with your> doctor. Working together is a good way to feel more> in control of your disease and more comfortable as> you move forward with your cancer treatment.> > Before you begin> Before exploring cancer treatment options, establish> some ground rules. You'll be more comfortable with> any decisions you make if you:> > a.. Decide how much you want to know. While most> people want to know exactly what their cancer> diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options are,> others don't. If you don't want to know all the> details, let your doctor know, and you and your> doctor can devise a strategy that's appropriate for> you. > b.. Decide how you'll want to make your cancer> treatment decisions. Think about how you normally> like to make difficult decisions in your life. Are> you someone who likes to gather all the information> you can and take the lead in the decision-making> process? Or do you prefer to turn all decisions over> to someone you trust who has the expertise to make> decisions for you? You might also be somewhere in> the middle, sharing the decision process with your> doctor.> > Your decision process for your cancer treatment is> likely to be similar to the way you make other> important decisions in your life. Cancer treatment> decisions can be quite complex, and you'll need to> develop a trusting relationship with your doctor so> that you can work together. It may be reasonable to> ask your doctor what he or she would recommend for> his or her own family members if they were in your> situation.> > c.. Have realistic expectations. Your doctor can> give you estimates about what you can expect from> each type of cancer treatment. But what you do with> these estimates is up to you. Exactly what side> effects you may be willing to put up with will> depend on what the benefits of the cancer treatment> are likely to be. Talk to your doctor about your> preferences. > d.. Keep the focus on you. Don't let anyone> pressure you into a particular cancer treatment> option. Pick what you feel most comfortable with. > e.. Accept help. You'll need support throughout> your treatment. Support can come from your doctor,> your friends and your family. If you don't feel> supported in your decision making, contact groups> like the American Cancer Society, which can put you> in contact with cancer survivors who can help> support you through this process. > It might help to write down your expectations and> preferences before you meet with your doctor. That> might help you better express your hopes for and> feelings about your cancer treatment.> > Now, set your goals> What do you want out of treatment? A cure,> stabilization or solely symptom relief? Deciding> what you want out of treatment will help you narrow> your treatment choices. Depending on your cancer> type and stage, your goals for treatment might be:> > a.. Cure. When you're first diagnosed, it's likely> you'll be interested in treatments that cure cancer.> When a cure is your goal, you may be willing to> endure more short-term side effects in return for> the chance at a cure. > b.. Control. If your cancer is at a later stage or> if treatment has been unsuccessful, you might adjust> your goal to controlling your cancer. Different> treatments may attempt to temporarily shrink or stop> your cancer from growing. If this is your goal, you> might not be willing to endure the side effects of> harsher treatments. > c.. Comfort. If you have an advanced stage cancer> or one that hasn't responded to treatments, you> might decide that comfort is most important to you.> You and your doctor can work together to make sure> you are free of pain and other symptoms. > Research your treatment options> To make a reasonable treatment decision, keep in> mind the type of cancer you have, its stage, and> what treatment options are available and how likely> these treatments are to work. Talk to your doctor> about Web sites, books and patient education> materials to supplement your discussions.> > Most people receive chemotherapy, radiation, surgery> or a combination of the three as part of their> cancer treatment plan. Certain hormone-sensitive> cancers, including breast and prostate cancers, may> be treated with hormone therapy. Some treatments are> experimental and are only available through clinical> trials â?" studies used to help researchers> understand the safety and efficacy of new> treatments.> > Analyze the benefits versus the risks> Compare the benefits and risks of the different> cancer treatments to decide which treatments fall> within your goals. Rate the treatments you're> considering based on the pros and cons of each. Some> aspects you'll want to consider for each treatment> include:> > a.. Side effects. Each treatment has its own set> of side effects. Take time to review the side> effects and decide whether they'll be worth enduring> or too much to handle. Your doctor can give you a> good idea of how common the various side effects are> for each treatment. He or she can also explain> options for managing side effects to make treatment> more tolerable. > b.. How treatment affects your life. Will> treatment mean a day off work or several weeks off?> How will your role in your family change? Will you> need to travel far from home for your treatment?> Look at how treatment will affect your everyday> life. > c.. The financial costs of treatment. Investigate> what types of treatment will be covered by your> insurance provider. If a treatment or aspect of a> treatment isn't covered, can you afford it? Call> your insurance company if you're unsure. > d.. Your health in general. If you have other> health conditions, ask your doctor how treatment> will affect those conditions. For example,> corticosteroids are commonly used in people with> cancer. This could complicate diabetes treatment and> affect your risk of cataracts, hypertension and> osteoporosis. > Your personal values and goals will make a> difference in what treatments are best for you. Only> you can decide what type of treatment will fit best> in your life. But don't feel as though you have to> make a choice and stick with it â?" it's very> possible that you may change your mind during> treatment, and that's fine.> > Communicate with your doctor> Effective communication with your doctor is the best> way to make sure you're getting the information you> need to make an informed decision. To make> communicating with your doctor easier, try to:> > a.. Speak up when you don't understand. If you> need further explanation or clarification, tell your> doctor. If you don't speak up, your doctor may think> you understand. > b.. Write your questions in advance. Appointments> can be stressful and emotional. Don't expect> yourself to remember all the questions you want to> ask. > c.. Record your conversations. Whether you take> detailed notes or bring a tape recorder, try to keep> track of what your doctor tells you. This record> will be a good reference if you have questions> later. > d.. Bring someone with you. If you feel> comfortable sharing your medical information with a> friend or family member, bring along someone to take> notes with you. Then you'll have another person with> whom you can talk through your treatment decisions. > Don't expect you and your doctor to fully understand> each other after one meeting â?" it may take a few> conversations before you both feel as though you're> on the same page.> > Other things to keep in mind> === message truncated ===Spiritual freedom is my birthright. I am a free thinker. I am able to rise above mentalprejudices and stereotypes of others. I am a free thinker. Nobody and nothing can manipulateme or deceive me. I am a free thinker. I freely choose truth and love. Today, I embrace a greater degree of spiritualfreedom.__________________________________________________________Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ