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unstoppable disease
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unstoppable disease

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    • January 21, 2011 at 4:45 pm
    Nebr78
    Participant

      i am waiting to evaluate 2 golf ball size lumps on my face and chest.  I had 7-8 strong doses of radiation and if they begin to shrink He will give them some more zaps..Strong chemo is out of the question as I have serious heart disease.

      What I am having trouble facing is if the lumps don't shrink, there is nothing more that can be done.

      How long might it be before the tumors kill me?  And will it be done slow or fast.?

      i am waiting to evaluate 2 golf ball size lumps on my face and chest.  I had 7-8 strong doses of radiation and if they begin to shrink He will give them some more zaps..Strong chemo is out of the question as I have serious heart disease.

      What I am having trouble facing is if the lumps don't shrink, there is nothing more that can be done.

      How long might it be before the tumors kill me?  And will it be done slow or fast.?

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    • Replies
        • January 21, 2011 at 7:07 pm
        sharmon
        Participant

          So sorry to hear about your situation.  I have done some research and there is a drug being tested called Oncovex.

          It is an injection into the tumor and is in late stage testing now.  It has mimimal side effects.  I wouldn't  think about giving up yet!   Where are you being treated. 

          Best of luck to you.

          • January 21, 2011 at 7:07 pm
          sharmon
          Participant

            So sorry to hear about your situation.  I have done some research and there is a drug being tested called Oncovex.

            It is an injection into the tumor and is in late stage testing now.  It has mimimal side effects.  I wouldn't  think about giving up yet!   Where are you being treated. 

            Best of luck to you.

            • January 21, 2011 at 7:50 pm
            Lori C
            Participant

              I would second the Oncovex suggestion.  If I recall you are in Nebraska?  I know it's being done in Chicago (Dr. Howard Kaufman, Rush University).

              Regarding your other questions, it's impossible to answer.   Are the tumors sub-q?  Do you have major organ involvement – lungs, liver, brain?   Sub Q tumors on your chest and face won't be fatal – not unless I am very ignorant on this disease process.  Melanoma that interferes with major organ function – that is what kills.

              A melanoma specialist could evaluate your situation and based on how aggressive your disease is moving, could give you some time frame – his best guess as to how long it would be before the disease caused organ failure, but it would only be a guess. 

              • January 21, 2011 at 7:50 pm
              Lori C
              Participant

                I would second the Oncovex suggestion.  If I recall you are in Nebraska?  I know it's being done in Chicago (Dr. Howard Kaufman, Rush University).

                Regarding your other questions, it's impossible to answer.   Are the tumors sub-q?  Do you have major organ involvement – lungs, liver, brain?   Sub Q tumors on your chest and face won't be fatal – not unless I am very ignorant on this disease process.  Melanoma that interferes with major organ function – that is what kills.

                A melanoma specialist could evaluate your situation and based on how aggressive your disease is moving, could give you some time frame – his best guess as to how long it would be before the disease caused organ failure, but it would only be a guess. 

                • January 22, 2011 at 4:39 am
                SusanE
                Participant

                  Regarding OncoVex- Omaha has it. Nebraska Cancer Specialists- We see Dr Ralph Hauke typically at Methodist Estabrook.

                  • January 22, 2011 at 4:39 am
                  SusanE
                  Participant

                    Regarding OncoVex- Omaha has it. Nebraska Cancer Specialists- We see Dr Ralph Hauke typically at Methodist Estabrook.

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