Visiting Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Just looking for a few extra prayers this week. Sharon will be visiting Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Chicago (Zion, IL) this week.  We are looking for a 2nd opinion and just a fresh set of eyes. We thought it was time for a total evaluation looking not only at the chemotherapy treatment and results, but Mom's overall immune system. The goal is to get her stronger to be able to continue chemotherapy treatment.

After over a month of Mom dealing with very harsh side effects that she couldn't get under control, the decision was made that she would need to change her treatment to another chemotherapy mixture because of the side effects.  For those of you that have dealt with cancer treatments, the last thing you want to do is change the treatment because of side effects; you only want to change because the treatment has developed immunity to the drugs so you need to switch it up.  As she is at a crossroads for what to do next, we searched out different hospitals and approaches, and ultimately decided that Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) was the right choice.  They take a slightly different approach having her visit a team of doctors and specialists.  She will visit an oncologist, gastroenterologist, and a general physician to look at all of the pills and different drugs she is taking to work thru the side effects.  She will also have a Naturopathic and Nutrition consult as well as a Mind/Body discussion for a look at some of the alternative medicine techniques to help with the side effects.  Overall, we are cautiously optimistic, but relieved for her to at least a complete evaluation to give her confidence with her current oncology team if nothing else.

Monday's appointments --
Today, she started with some intro appointments, history reviews and tests. Overall, a pretty easy day, and a very nice, courteous team that is eager, helpful, and making this process as least seem easy & relaxed.

More to come in the next few days, I will be sure to update as we go along this week.

Thank you for all that you do for my mom, in mind, spirit, thoughts, prayers, love and support. She appreciates it, we all appreciate it!