Dear fellow members, I’m logging on for the very first time today, and I am reaching out because I desperately need some guidance. I’ve been reading through the threads and noticed several users mentioning that they sought chemotherapy treatments at specialized clinics abroad. My father is currently battling esophageal and stomach cancer, and the situation here at Johns Hopkins Hospital has become incredibly disheartening. They initially decided against surgery because of his heart condition—apparently, an operation of that magnitude on the esophagus is far too risky; the surgeons would have to manage his heart throughout the entire procedure, which carries a massive risk of dangerous arrhythmias. So, the plan was to proceed with chemotherapy first to shrink the tumor, hopefully making surgery viable down the road. However, after waiting a grueling month and a half for our first follow-up at the Mayo Clinic, we were hit with another wall. They’ve now ruled out chemotherapy as well—again, citing the cardiac risks—and are suggesting we move straight to palliative radiation. It feels like we're being told there's nothing left to do but manage the decline. I’ve come across many stories of people traveling to international clinics where, despite underlying heart issues, doctors actually fought to provide treatment rather than just letting a patient slowly slip away. I am feeling quite desperate. If you have any information on where you went or which specialists you contacted, please, I beg of you... I know deep down that sometimes these efforts feel futile, but I simply could not live with myself if we didn't try everything. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
Best regards,
Best regards,