I swear we have the best moderators in the Universe!!
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Sue in Vancouver, USA
ah, geesh! *blush* Thank you!
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I have to note, based on item#2 in Steve's thread above about the symposium and the discussions of AN treatments......
2. Doctors also disagree about this. At the symposium last August, we all watched as a panel of five distinguished doctors delivered 5 different opinions about the same patient, ranging from radiation, to surgery, to surgery and radiation combined. There is no definitive consensus on the question.It was interesting to see the doctors at the symposium disagree about which treatment option they deemed as best. I sat at lunch with Dr. Weit and Dr. Slattery (boy, it was great picking their brains.... when most of these docs pick our brains!
![Wink ;)](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
) and to have this exact same discussion about surgical vs. radiation. I, as a radio patient, wanted to take the opportunity to discuss with them (granted, they found our lunch table... I didn't go searching out their lunch table.... I guess we were the "cool kids" table) their thoughts on radio treatments whereas most of them do surgical procedures. They were more than eager to discuss, what they believe to be the best procedures as its procedures they do (hence, as noted around the forums of "doctor bias".... tout what they do or know).... yet, they seemed opened minded enough to note radio if they felt it was warranted. It was great to have them in a "relaxed" environment (ie: stuffing our faces over lunch) to have them sit back and talk these things with us .... and in our discussions, there was no right or wrong answer.... just professional perspectives based on their AN treatment experiences yet, open-minded enough to hear out the radio discussion (especially since they had a radio "success story" talking with them, ie: me).
I have always noted about obtaining as many dr opinions in this journey (or any other medical journey) to learn, from a medical professional as much as we can (which james shared with us here... and I thank him)..... and to discuss with patient referrals (ie: either obtained through the potential treating facilities or through venues like this forum, etc). To me, knowledge is power in helping to take control of our own well-beings. All we can do is hope that the post-treatment outcomes, regardless of what one chooses, will be good.... and heck, we're all here to cheer on anyway!
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I had coffee this am..... the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet.
Phyl