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• February 7, 2013 11:31 a.m.

  Sherry, you can connect with me through the Cancer Education Center at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The public number is (507)266-9288. I look forward to talking with you.

  - Sheryl Ness

• February 1, 2013 10:43 a.m.

  Sheryl I am a breast cancer patient that was treated in Eau Claire, WI. I have some rather personal questions to ask you. Is there any way I can contact you or you contact me without it being posted on the blog? I appreciate any help you could give me. Sherry

  - Sherry

• August 19, 2012 4:53 p.m.

  Two trillion six hundred billion dollars is presently spent yearly in the United States for health care. That amounts to about $8700 for every man woman and child. For a family of four it costs $32,800. That is more money than tens of millions of families earn in a year, especially after taxes. By 2029 there will be more than 70,000,000 people over the age of 70 and more than 80,000,000 who are at least 65 years of age. They will need medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and Veterans Administration benefits. According to the non partisan Congressional Budget Office the cost of medical care will go up to 25% of the Gross Domestic Product by 2025.That is only 13 years from now. This will bring the cost of medical care to over $50,000 for a family of four. By 2050 the cost will be 49% of the gross domestic product. That would amount to more than $90,000 for a family of four.That's crazy but unfortunately true. A check of the non partisan Congressional Budget will show this to be so. (The economy is expected to grow about 3% annually so the figures given above will be much higher.) The remedy many give is to ration care for all. Our solution should be to find cures for the illnesses so that we don't need so much medical care. That can only be done with increased medical research. American scienti

  - Alvin

• March 11, 2012 11:52 p.m.

  my son has two brain tumors,he gets sick to his stomach when he eats,he eats very little.

  - marie

• March 9, 2012 11:34 p.m.

  A little over a year ago I was diagnosed with early stage CML (chronic myelocytic leukemia). Altough I was very blessed to be able to be a part of a study through one of the best Cancer Centers in USA, I feel as though I am the only one on the planet with this cancer. It seems impossible to find current information on CML or find individuals with CML and what treatment they are on and how they are doing. Unfortunately, I am not given any answers regarding longevity on my drug because no one really knows. Basically I know that as long as my drug works, I'll hopefully be OK. Also, I have a hip implant that is failing after 5 yrs and is causing me problems and a great deal of concern due to higher cobalt levels in my blood. I am also wondering if this may have caused my CML as I was able to find some minute medical paper that mentions that metal ions in the body have been known to mutate chromosomes and are linked to cancer and leukemias, but no one seems to know or want to comment on this. Anyone out there that can?

  - Elisabeth

• March 7, 2012 10:05 p.m.

  Thanks, Pat, for your strong and intelligent advocacy. I, too, learned to be a good research advocate through the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC). I suggest folks check out NBCC's website

  - Christine

• March 5, 2012 1:25 a.m.

  Though my oncologist was a great member of my support/medical team, we had an honest talk regarding my diagnosis and lack of treatment from the beginning of symtoms. My lymphoma (Large B Cell) was diagnosed twice as anxiety problems from chest pains I was experiencing. At my third attempt with my primary doctor to determine cause of chest pains, a tumor now bulging out allowed me to be seen as someone in need of medical treatment - FAST; the tumor was actually the fourth one; the first three were the reason for the chest pains I experienced. Told I had two months to live, I was placed on list for chemo and later received radiation because the tumors were so large. It was explained to me by oncologist that protocol for chest pain does not warrant further medical treatment that would have spared me the extreme treatments and side effects. Most people do have anxiety; only a select number of us have cancer. We are not worth the extra care due to costs. Protocol cost me extra years and extreme side effects reducing quality of life. Anything we can do to help the medical profession, needs to be done, especially in an advocate position. Think about it: Would a family member of a medical professional be diagnosed with anxiety and left? Check the blogs out there -- many people are still asking, "Do you think this lump I have had the last several months is anything to worry about"? You'd think we were still in the stone-age.

  - Sherry

• March 1, 2012 10:59 a.m.

  The wisest of my oncology team told me after our 2nd go round with radiation for metastatic BC: "I can learn from you." This is a man who kept his office open and his staff on full schedule when I was in emergency situation. I am now on round three tratment, with chemo this time, 5 year survivor and with another wonderful "onc", recommended by the gentleman I just referenced. Don't count me out! I do believe my young onc is also learning from me as I learn from him. Just happy to be here at 63 and fully intend to celebrate #64!

  - Cynthia

• February 27, 2012 9:20 p.m.

  Thanks so much for promoting Disease Advocacy, dear Sheryl and Patricia. During the Oscars last night, I went on the Mayo web as I do almost every day...And, from my point of view the "Oscars" go to my doctors, my Dystonia Medical Research Association, the DOD, the NIH, the NORD, my Honorable Congressman's continual support of Dystonia and me, all of my fellow Dystonia Volunteer Advocates and patients like myself having a rare movement disorder. My rock and support comes from my relationship with all of them and their staff. After being misdiagnosed and treated for 2-3 years, my husband's eye surgeon looked at me while I was with my husband who was the patient, about 30 seconds later, the eye doctor said to me "You have a movement disorder in your eyes I need to send in to our neurology department." Two days later there I was in shock and anxiety learning the possible reality of the disease Dystonia. Neurologist told me to get involved with the research associations as soon as possible. Luckily, there was an annual meeting in Towson, MD. in a few months and then I became an NIH patient being evaluated, treated, and one of many Dystonia patients included in their research..also, I am a Brain Donor, Biobank Blood Donor, and open to all research of the disease for the good of future lives. At this point, I feel blessed to have Dystonia and love being a Volunteer Advocate for Dystonia, the DMRF. Disease can become an "Oscar"...empowering you and o

  - Dystonia Hat Lady