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• April 21, 2013 9:27 p.m.

  I have been trying to get the help of our cancer navigator for post cancer issues, but my calls, e-mails have never been returned. I don't understand why they say they offer this service when you can't get anyone to help you??

  - Sherry

• June 29, 2011 3:08 a.m.

  While there are many alternative cancer treatments that can cure cancer, the big advantage to the germany cancer clinic is that they are run by Medical Doctors who have small clinics (by American standards) and who have a great deal of interaction with the patients.

  - Nadia

• May 25, 2011 9:58 p.m.

  I finished chemotherapy in January of this year and now have chronic fatigue. In general, how long can I expect to experience this side effect? I feel more exhausted now then I did during treatment. I'd like to request intermittent leave and to be able to telecommute for work, but am uncertain what time period to request.

  - Ann

• May 16, 2011 12:32 p.m.

  It is hard to believe these web sites are dead.My Dr told me no soy supplements or soy in vitamins.

  - kathy

• April 7, 2011 11:44 a.m.

  Shery, My vitamin B has soy in it.Should I not take that? Some soy is ok but they say not a supplementI don't take soy supplement but it is in B50?

  - Kathy

• March 31, 2011 11:16 a.m.

  thanks Sheryl.. I read this on Fred Hutchinson cancer research center that tamoxifen cause aggressive breast cancer although it helps estrogen positive ones..

  - kathy

• March 29, 2011 7:20 a.m.

  This post is for Kathy who is asking about Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a medication that is used to treat and prevent breast cancer by blocking the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body. Tamoxifen is designed to treat estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Based on your cancer risk, and/or your cancer type (estrogen-receptor positive), your physician may recommend taking Tamoxifen as a preventative treatment or after your initial treatment for breast cancer. For more information on Tamoxifen, see this link on Mayoclinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601293

  - Sheryl

• March 26, 2011 8:34 a.m.

  Does tamoxifen cause aggressive breast cancer? I am just starting tamoxifen. Thanks

  - kathy

• March 17, 2011 7:40 p.m.

  Hi Kay, Contact the manufacturer ofthe drug directly. Since the drug companies are trying to image themselves as good guys and don't want to loose public support in favor of a public healthcare system, they are showing there best side by giving medication at no charge.This is good PR for them and could be a benefit for you.. Good Luck.

  - Jeff

• March 17, 2011 4:22 p.m.

  I have recently met two women who did not understand the risk of neuropathy with their chemo treatment at Mayo and are now suffering terribly. One cannot feel anything in her hands and the other in her feet. My experience, not only at Mayo, was that side effects, even the common ones, were not mentioned. For one example, the radiologist who told me I could take a couple of treatments and see if I could tolerate them. Research showed me that the nasty side effects don't happen immediately and some of the worst don't show up for months.

  - carol

• March 17, 2011 1:05 p.m.

  Okay, for Islet Cell cancer I've had 28 radiation treatments and 2 cycles of chemo with Adriamyacin and Streptozocin. The cancer in the last year has gotten more dense, it is advanced (per size) and localized. However, being male at 72 with several other chronic conditions; my doctor gave me a prescription for Sutent--as I wouldn't make it through surgery. Where do you go to pay for $5,000.00 per prescription and a co-pay of $1,650. ?

  - Kay

• March 10, 2011 12:34 p.m.

  Just wanted to thank you guys for your insurance help.I am doing fine now, but I just want to help people in the future with this problem.Things happen fast. T-Y Kathy

  - Kathy

• March 9, 2011 6:52 p.m.

  I would like to say that I am presently in remission from a rare form of chronic leukemia.I have had this disease for 16 years. I will relapse anytime from now until ? years if I'm lucky. I had 12 treatments over 7 months and one continuous treatment 24/7 for 7 days. I know your fears, chemo brain, fatique, people not knowing what to say and the rest.I find it disgusting that we are being allowed to be treated less then worthy by the insurance industry. I believe a positive attitude and love from and to your family is a great medicine. Health insurance companies discriminate against us because they see us as a loss to their year end profits. Pre-existing condition is legal discrimination by the health insurance companies( also self insured employers) against good people because they or their loved ones got sick.Hopefully the pre-existing condition clause will go away unless some of those good people in Washington overturn our chance to not be discriminated against. You mustn't worry about insurance when you are battling cancer. There are good non-profit hospitals like Moffitt in Tampa Florida who give state of the art treatment with care and compassion. I know there are other great hospitals out there as well. Focus on yourself and your loved ones. It will keep you strong. Keep a sense of humor . Laugh at the stuff that seems the worst. I believe there is medicine in laughter. Health care should be a right not a privelege. I apologize for being so long.

  - Jeff

• March 9, 2011 1:57 p.m.

  Kathy, The last thing you need to worry about at this time is insurance. Sherry just gave you some excellent information. Remember, state of mind does matter right now...so put the worry on hold and use your energy in getting yourself prepared to fight and win and carry on....Godspeed. Throat cancer with a full laryngectomy...but...a survivor! Life is good!

  - Mike

• March 5, 2011 11:58 p.m.

  Kathy, I am sorry to hear of your concerns and diagnosis. I too have similar worries and have battled cancer, continue to be currently in remission. For direct, immediate concerns of insurance loss, check with your local hospital/doctor for their social worker for latest on assist in this area. The hospital/doctor/labs, etc. may have (very likely) some type of resources to cover you for a portion of time in order to carry out services you are in need of for health care - hospital, doctor, lab/x-ray, prescriptions. Especially being a member already, they will want to try to keep your health care going for you until you can locate health care in another manner. (Example of assist: hospitals build into their annual planning and budget a varied amount to cover people such as this concern. Use it appropriately, and like I, I am so thankful for this service after my employer terminated me -- I had two months to live and was sent into treatment, told by doctor to take time off so I could concentrate on my health instead of working the up tp 60+ hours per week. I am approaching my one year anniversay, birthday of a new life!). Good luck!

  - Sherry

• March 5, 2011 8:58 a.m.

  I have breast cancer, that is a worry in its self but I am worried about insurance. If my small employer would drop insurance , I have no where to go.State ins requires no ins for a 6 month period,Where besides congress(which I have) can I write? They should say the ins co. I am with has to put me on as a individual and a reasonable rate! I hate for people to go bankrupt or spead all they have saved for because of this.

  - Kathy

• March 4, 2011 2:51 a.m.

  This post is for Kay. Mayo Clinic has a great overview of the Whipple procedure that you are asking about in the pancreatic cancer section. If you go to this link http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/DS00357/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs or simply type in Whipple procedure in the search box at the top of the page. This section also helps to prepare you for what to expect during your appointment and questions to ask your doctor. I hope you find this helpful.

  - Sheryl

• March 3, 2011 8:30 p.m.

  Dulcie, the best medicine for your daughter at this difficult time is peace. Try to stay calm and put everything in hands of God and the doctors, she will be fine.

  - Sue

• March 3, 2011 12:34 p.m.

  What a delight you are Elaine, separating age brain and chemo brain may not be important if you enjoy the big omelet life serves us. My best to you.

  - a.

• March 3, 2011 12:30 p.m.

  After radiation and chemo for islet cell cancer "they want to operate with whipple ir distal procedures." What items should I cover with my surgeon in this consultation? Thank you

  - Kay

• March 3, 2011 12:26 p.m.

  Thank you for proving this free information. It makes it easier for me to think about cancer when I don't need to guess about the answers. I'm currently in remission. g3AHke

  - Brenda

• March 3, 2011 12:22 p.m.

  Dulcie, you and your daughter are in my prayers..My sister had a brain tumor and Drs. at Mayo extended her life. I believe you both will be given special graces to cope with this. You are fortunate to have each other, prayers make a difference I believe.

  - a

• March 3, 2011 11:06 a.m.

  As two time ovarian cancer survivor, I have found the research and information regarding "chemo brain" very helpful and reassuring. Separating chemo brain and 82 years of age brain, is a full time endeavor! Thank you so very much for this excellent site.

  - Elaine

• March 1, 2011 11:46 a.m.

  PLEASE HELP. My daughter is about to undergo her second brain surgery in less than one year. Drs tell us it is a meningioma that is growing in her orbital bone, not tissue. How does a meningioma grow in and around bone? What is feeding it and why so fast? The first surgery took 11 hours and was awful. I won't go into all of it. They did destroy her tear duct so she can now no longer produce tears in her left eye which now fluid collects in the sac below her eye. We were told that some of the meningioma 10% had grown into a artery envolving her heart so they left it. I asked the Dr. to repeat that one. All surgery Now it has grown back and is has attached to a optic nerve/artery so due to the size of the meningioma they must remove it again and this time they are going to do raditation. Something about the amount of raditation needed for a growth this size would kill the optic nerve, so they are going in again to reduce the size so the radiation won't kill the nerve. THIS IS A HORRIBLE SURGERY AND IF I CAN FIND ANOTHER WAY OR ANSWERS TO MY MISGIVINGS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

  - dulcie