Support for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses (Part II)

Michelle Cook83 said:I understand what you're going through; we all feel the weight when our loved ones face tragedy. However, patients aren't typically transferred to oncology immediately after surgery. They need time to recover from the procedure first, and during that window, appointments with an oncologist are scheduled. A surgeon can only note that further evaluation and treatment should be handled by oncology. What kind of lawsuit? Pull yourself together and get your father scheduled with an oncologist, because ideally, therapy should begin within 6 to 8 weeks post-op.

In our experience, they transfer patients about 5 or 6 days after surgery—I know this because my father’s roommate, who had nearly the exact same diagnosis, was transferred, while he was sent home. That’s how the individual in question spoke to us after the operation, telling us they were preparing him for oncology. Well, we never received an appointment. The lawsuit exists because his prognostications effectively robbed my sister and me of ten years of life. He is a surgeon; he doesn't have the authority to issue such prognoses because that isn't his field. A colleague of his actually confirmed this to me, refusing to offer any prognosis for that very reason. AND, it’s also because my father didn't receive the physical therapist he was entitled to after such a grueling surgery. It's because I was told almost directly that he’s old and not worth the investment. I am fully aware that the odds are slim, but if there is even a 1% chance to extend his life even slightly, I intend to take it rather than let someone snatch it away. We don't have the luxury of waiting 6 to 8 weeks; we need to act fast. Someone mentioned throwing piles of money at private specialists earlier. Back in 2011, a prostate tumor was successfully treated with significant help from a private oncologist, and we spent $667 on that. How many thousands of dollars has my father contributed to the American healthcare system over his 42-year career? You misunderstood—you don't go to a private oncologist to buy drugs or have them perform the primary treatment; rather, everything moves faster through them. They coordinate the care, whether it continues at Pula Hospital or, as he puts it, if Pula turns us away, we head to Rijeka because a smaller facility has to follow the lead of the larger one. They provide recommendations, facilitate doctor consultations, advise on the best course of action, and ensure you get all necessary test results incredibly quickly. If the surgeon did consult with oncologists, I assume he informs the family. No one told us anything. I am furious at how my father is being treated—as if he is just another number, just another old man. To me, he isn't. And just like the first time, I will fight for every single day of my father's life. I have no issue with his surgical work; he performed the operation flawlessly. But all he should have done was say, "My part is finished; now you need to coordinate with the oncologists."

gentlemarlin14 said:In our experience, patients are discharged about 5 or 6 days after surgery... I know this because my dad’s roommate, who had nearly the exact same diagnosis, was sent home just like that. And that’s how they spoke to us—telling us after the operation that we were prepping him for oncology. But then, we never actually got an appointment with an oncologist. We're considering a Lawsuit because his prognosis robbed my sister and me of ten years of life. He’s a surgeon, and he has absolutely no business giving prognoses; that isn't his field. Even one of his colleagues confirmed this, refusing to predict anything for that very reason. AND, to top it off, my father didn't get a physical therapist after such a grueling surgery, which was his absolute right. It's because the doctor basically told me straight to my face that he’s old and not worth the effort. I know the odds are slim—I'm fully aware of that—but if there is even a 1% chance to extend his life even slightly, I am going to take it, rather than letting someone just snatch it away. We don't have the luxury of waiting 6 to 8 weeks; you have to react fast. Someone mentioned earlier about throwing money down the drain at private specialists. Back in 2011, a prostate tumor was successfully treated with massive help from a private oncologist, and we spent $667 on that. How many thousands of dollars has my father contributed to the American healthcare system over 42 years of work? You're misunderstanding the point about the private oncologist—you aren't buying drugs from them, and they aren't the ones doing the primary treatment... it's more that everything moves faster through them. He will still be treated at Pula Hospital or wherever—if they turn us away at Pula, we go to Rijeka, since the smaller hospital has to follow the larger one. He just recommends, coordinates with doctors, advises on the best path, and gets all the necessary test results back incredibly quickly. If the surgeon consulted with oncologists, he should have communicated that to the family. No one told us a thing. I am furious at being treated like my father is just another number, just another old man. To him, he isn't. And I will fight for every single day of my father's life just like I did the first time. I have nothing against his surgical work—he did a stellar job—but he should have just said, "I've done my part, now you need to coordinate with the oncologists."

Look, I'm telling you this from a place of incredibly heavy experience. I truly believe you're wasting precious energy on something that won't bear fruit and will only make an already terrible situation worse.
Regarding "acting fast"—waiting for wounds to heal is standard medical practice worldwide. Radiation is an aggressive way to treat tissue. Would you apply that kind of treatment to an open wound? It doesn't work that way. Furthermore, without pathology results providing definitive, black-and-white proof of exactly what type of tumor it is and how aggressive or advanced the stage is, no doctor can decide on a treatment plan. No oncologist, whether they are private or part of a major institution, will initiate treatment without that critical data.
You cannot compare prostate cancer to metastatic colorectal cancer. These are entirely different diseases with different treatments and different outlooks. Metastatic colorectal cancer is a highly complex disease that is much harder to manage, and the medications used often exceed the risks and lead to $0.00. Just because your dad paid his Social Security taxes honestly doesn't mean you should abandon your fight.
Everything that is bothering you right now isn't a fixable issue, and you won't solve it with a Lawsuit; you'll only complicate your own life and shift your focus onto things that don't matter instead of staying 100% focused on your dad. We have all been through that frustration and anger—God knows what I've been through myself—and I'm telling you, it isn't worth it. When you're dealing with the "cancer package," the diagnosis itself is rarely the smallest problem; it's when all the side issues start grinding you down. You have to be smart about what you worry about and what is just a total waste of your mental energy.
Here’s the reality of the situation. Take it or leave it, depending on what fits your current circumstances. If you’re convinced that going private is the best move and you actually have the bankroll to back it up, then go for it—but for heaven's sake, keep a level head. Don't just dive in blindly; do your homework first. In situations like this, once you make a wrong turn, there’s no easy way to fix the damage. Just remember: the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Unfortunately, I had to learn that lesson the hard way.

Hey everyone. It’s been about three years since I last checked in here—I took a break after dealing with some heavy stuff involving my mother-in-law. Sadly, she passed away just two months after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Now, things have taken a turn for my own Mom; her CT scan just showed two 4 cm tumors, one in each lung. We’re heading over to Jordanovac tomorrow. I had one quick question: I’ve been reading about that lung cancer vaccine from Cuba, and I was wondering how much truth there is to it helping people? Also, is it even possible to get hold of it here in the States? Thanks for any help.

gentlemarlin14 said:Because he basically told me straight to my face that he's too old and it's not worth spending anything on him. Look, I know the odds are incredibly slim—I really do—but if there is even a 1% chance to give him more time, even just a little bit, I want to take it. I'm not letting anyone just take that chance away from us.

That was honestly so low of him. Everything Angela Wright told you hits the nail on the head. Most of us here are dealing with the exact same thing—someone close to us fighting cancer—and we’re all going through our own crisis because of it. My dad went through this same illness, and while he wasn't much older than yours, I truly get how you feel. It’s so hard when you're stuck in this mess without anyone to guide you through the process. And seriously—your father has every single right to everything he's asking for, period. No compromises there. Hang in there, everyone. Stay strong!

Michelle Cook83 said:Honestly, what that individual did was incredibly distasteful. Everything Angela Wright told you is spot on. Most of us here are part of a small circle where someone close—a spouse, a parent, a sibling—is facing a malignancy, and we’re all navigating that same crisis. My own father dealt with the exact same illness as yours; he isn't much younger than your dad, so I truly get how you're feeling. It’s an isolating experience when you don't have anyone in your immediate circle to guide you through the complexities of this process. And regarding the legalities? Your father is absolutely entitled to everything he's asking for; there's no room for compromise there. Hang in there, everyone. Stay strong.

Thank you so much for those kind words. Sending strength to your father as well.

Michael Cruz28 said:Hey there. I’ve been away from this forum for three years since I last posted about the issues my mother-in-law was facing. Sadly, my wife's mom passed away just two months after her brain tumor diagnosis. Now, my own Mom had a CT scan showing two 4 cm tumors, one in each lung. We’re heading to Jordanovac tomorrow. I have one question: I’ve read about a vaccine from Cuba for lung cancer, and I'm wondering how much truth there is to its effectiveness and if it can be obtained here in the US... thanks for any help.

There is no legal way to import Escozul into the US or anywhere else in the states. Beyond that, proving it actually works would require numerous independent randomized studies involving much larger groups of people to establish proper protocols, determine correct dosages, and rule out dangerous interactions with other medications and substances.
So far, only one relevant study has been published, and that was an in vitro study showing potential to destroy cancer cells, specifically glioma. But we are easily ten years away from actual clinical application because it still has to pass through two major phases—in vivo testing on animals and then clinical trials on humans. Every phase has its own sub-phases and takes time. Before those checks are completed, taking anything off the black market is a incredibly dangerous game because there are zero safety or verification systems in place. You can't even be sure if you're getting what you paid for or just encapsulated water.
Regarding complementary treatments, I know many people with lung cancer used white mistletoe injections, which can be legally purchased at our local pharmacies—specifically the one near Dolac, I believe they bought them there. I don't know exactly how effective it is, but I remember a woman on a forum with microcellular cancer who defied her prognosis and claimed it helped her. I lost touch with her, so I don't know how she's doing now.

Angela Wright said:There isn't a legal way to import Escozul into the US or anywhere else in the States. Besides, to actually prove it works, you'd need a ton of independent randomized studies with way more people. Shouldn't we be setting up protocols, figuring out real doses, and making sure it doesn't have dangerous interactions with other meds or stuff?
So far, they've only published one relevant study, and that was just in vitro, showing it might destroy cancer cells—specifically glioma. But honestly, we're probably ten years away from actual clinical use since it still has to pass two major phases: in vivo testing on animals and then clinical trials on humans. Every phase has its own sub-phases and takes forever. Before those checks are done, taking stuff off the black market is a super dangerous game because there's zero safety net. How are you even supposed to know if you got what you paid for or just encapsulated water?
As for complementary treatments, I know a lot of people with lung cancer used white mistletoe injections, which you can legally get at local pharmacies—I know some folks used to buy them at the shop near Dolac. I don't know how effective they really are, but I remember one lady on this forum with microcellular cancer who totally beat her prognosis and swore it helped her. I lost touch with her, though, so I'm not sure how she's doing now.

Thanks so much. You're seriously an angel in all this darkness.

Hey there,
Spent the day at Jordanovac trying to get Mom's admission sorted out. Brought along her discharge papers and those results from the Vineyard hospital. I even pulled the head nurse aside to see if she could give me the real scoop. She told me they haven't ruled out a malignant tumor, but it’s not a definite "yes" either. Is she just trying to keep me calm??? Anyway, the next steps are a bronchoscopy and a biopsy. I'm wondering what kind of tumors we might be looking at and what all the possible scenarios are. I want to hear it all—give me the absolute worst-case and the best-case outcomes.
I think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect, but I just need someone to talk to since sleep is definitely not happening right now...

Michael Cruz28 said:Hey there,
I was at Jordanovac today trying to finalize my Mom's admission. I brought the discharge papers and the results from the Vineyard hospital. While I was there, I asked the head nurse if she could give me the lowdown. She said they haven't ruled out a malignant tumor, but it's not a certainty either. Maybe she's just trying to comfort me??? Anyway, the next steps are a bronchoscopy and a biopsy. I'm wondering what kind of tumors we might be looking at and what the potential scenarios are. I want to hear both the absolute worst-case and the best-case versions.
I have a rough idea of the answers myself, but I just need someone to talk to since sleep is impossible right now...

🤦

The darkest scenario? Well, let's see: an embolism hits her and she loses the fight before the battle even officially starts... dark enough? 🙄

The brightest one? It wasn't tumor tissue at all, just scar tissue from some old lung inflammation that healed over long ago.... 🤷

So, what do you actually gain from having this data right now? Do you feel better, more prepared, or smarter?
You have to stop catastrophizing about the future!!! Right now! Immediately! Otherwise, everything is just going to spiral out of control. Believe me, there is nothing more counterproductive than what you're doing to yourself. You need to be a pillar of strength and support, but not by spinning out like this.
Everyone needs to pull it together and take things as they unfold. There is absolutely no way to know anything in advance, and it's impossible to prepare for every single one of the countless variations and nuances this situation might take.
You live day by day, and you look toward the future only as far as tomorrow.
You've taken the first step and now you're waiting for the PhD. Usually, the doctor can tell quite a bit already, and they typically tell you immediately if things look bad. But they aren't certain, which is why that nurse couldn't tell you anything—honestly, she isn't even allowed to.
Once the PhD arrives, you'll see where things stand, face reality, and then decide what needs to be done, if anything needs to be done at all.
That's how you should approach this: stay calm. Peace of mind is everything because if you lose it, you won't be able to function properly. Of course you're scared; that's perfectly normal, but you have to suppress it through rational thinking.
Come on, just stay brave and take it slow—one step at a time, one day at a time.

Angela Wright said:🤦

Worst-case scenario? Hmm, let's see: Strefit hits an embolism and loses the fight before it even starts... dark enough for you? 🙄

The bright side? It wasn't actually tumor tissue, just scarring from some old lung inflammation... 🤷

So, what are you going to do with all that info? Feel better, more prepared, maybe a little smarter?
You’ve gotta stop living in the future!!! Right now! Seriously! Otherwise, things are just gonna spiral. Trust me, there’s nothing more counterproductive than doing that to yourself. You need to be a pillar of support, but not like this.
Everyone needs to pull it together and just take things as they come. There’s absolutely no way to know what’s coming next, and you can't prepare for every single tiny variation of how this could play out.
Just live day by day. Look at tomorrow, maybe even the day after, but that's it.
You’ve taken the first step and now you’re waiting on the PhD. Usually, the doctor can tell you a lot pretty quickly—they'll tell you right away if things look bad. But they aren't 100% sure yet, which is why your sister couldn't give you any answers. Honestly, she isn't even supposed to.
Once the PhD comes in, you'll see where things stand, face reality, and then decide what needs to be done—if anything needs to be done at all.
That’s the mindset you need right now. Keep your cool. Peace of mind is everything because if you lose it, you won't be able to function. Of course you're scared—that's totally normal—but you have to use logic to keep those fears in check.
Come on, just stay brave and take it slow. One step at a time, one day at a time.

You're right, though. Try to keep thinking positive and save your energy for the days ahead.

Hey there. Mom is having a bronchoscopy scheduled tomorrow at Jordanovac... How painful is the procedure really, and what’s the recovery like? Since we’re driving all the way from Dalmatia and commuting every single day, I need to know how long she'll need downtime so I can plan our schedule. If anyone has a few tips or advice... Thanks a million!

Michael Cruz28 said:Hey there. My Mom is having a bronchoscopy tomorrow at Jordanovac... How painful is the procedure and what’s the recovery like? Since we’re coming all the way from Dalmatia and driving back and forth every day, I need to know how long the recovery takes so I can plan our schedule. If anyone has some quick advice... Thanks a million.

The procedure itself isn't really "painful"—it's just incredibly uncomfortable. Honestly, maybe even more awkward than a gastroscopy. It usually lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how things go. As for recovery—once it's done, she'll probably be ready to head home after about fifteen minutes, provided she isn't being admitted to the hospital. Good luck! I really hope everything turns out okay.

Thanks!

gentlemarlin14 said:The Lawsuit exists because his prognostications robbed both me and my sister of ten years of life. He is a surgeon, and quite frankly, he has no business offering such prognoses since that falls entirely outside his domain of expertise. This was even confirmed to us by one of his own colleagues, who refused to offer any prognosis whatsoever for that very same reason.

If they turn us away in Pula, we will head to Rijeka, given that a smaller hospital must defer to a larger one. Regardless, he provides recommendations, coordinates with physicians, advises on the best course of action, and issues all necessary medical reports with incredible speed... and so on.

First, I find myself in agreement with the preceding posts; do not squander your precious energy on a lawsuit or on harboring anger...
You and your sister have become secondary figures now; truly, your shock and your anxieties must take a backseat to the actual battle that lies ahead of you. Is it realistic to believe you would win a lawsuit? Do you honestly think that doctor and his associates would offer anything resembling honesty during a legal hearing?

And no, a small hospital does not have to listen to a larger one.
In my father's case, they established a diagnosis in Pula with remarkable speed and extreme courtesy. After consulting with close acquaintances who are physicians, we decided he should receive treatment in Chicago, under doctors who are more "specialized" regarding his specific condition. He received his diagnosis and underwent therapy in Chicago on an outpatient basis—there is no need for hospitalization unless it is absolutely vital. Private accommodations cost about 35 dollars a day; one simply cannot drag a critically ill patient to Istria day after day. Medical protocols are not universal, and approaches vary significantly, so you cannot expect one doctor to dictate a therapy and then assume another will follow suit just because the first one hails from a major hospital.

If you can afford it, go where you have received the most reliable recommendations. Good luck!

analogseal18 said:First off, I’m with the previous posts here. Don't waste your breath or energy on a lawsuit or staying angry...
You and your sister are secondary right now; honestly, your shock and worry take a backseat to the actual fight you have ahead of you. Winning a lawsuit is a long shot—do you really think that doctor and his crew are going to suddenly start being honest during a deposition?

And no, a small local hospital isn't obligated to follow what a major center does.
When my dad was diagnosed, they moved incredibly fast and were extremely polite about it at the Pula hospital. After checking in with some close friends who are doctors, we decided it made more sense to handle everything in Chicago with specialists who actually focus on his specific condition. He got his diagnosis and did his treatment in Chicago. It’s outpatient, so there’s no need for hospital stays unless it's absolutely necessary. Private lodging runs about $35 a night, and you just can't drag a critically ill patient back and forth to Istria every single day. Not everyone follows the exact same playbook; approaches vary, so one doctor can't just dictate a therapy and expect another doctor to blindly follow it just because they work at a bigger hospital.

If you can afford it, go where the experts recommend. Good luck!

That isn't quite how it works. Protocols are strictly defined and treatment is standardized everywhere because when a drug is registered, the protocol is registered too—meaning the dosage per unit of mass, which other drugs it can be combined with, the number of cycles, and exactly how to handle complications.
The treatment protocol for most medications is actually available online, usually right on the manufacturer's website.

Mom just had her bronchoscopy today. The doctors said we won't get the results for three to five days, maybe even longer. Mom mentioned the doctor performing the procedure called it some kind of "weird bronchi"... like they were deformed... They took samples from both lungs. There are shadows showing up pretty high up, right at the top of the lungs. I’m wondering if there’s any sense in trying something alternative while we wait for the official word. So many people here get wiped out by chemo, and honestly, the results are hit or miss... I'm just stuck on how to handle this. Money isn't an issue, so whether it's a specialized clinic abroad or even something extreme like a lung transplant... Does any of this make sense? I just want to help Mom, but I have no clue what to do, and worst of all, I don't even know if I can actually help at all.

Has anyone here dealt with Pimezon clinic or Dr. Samia before?

Has anyone here tried the Rudolf Breuss total therapy?

My father-in-law wrapped up his fourth round of chemo yesterday. We still have two more rounds left before we run a PET Scan to see if any actual progress has been made. I can't help but wonder—since he isn't experiencing any side effects at all—if the treatment is even doing anything, or if perhaps those beta glucans are just helping him weather the storm more easily.
I always find myself hoping for the best.

Amanda Miller69 said:My father-in-law finished his fourth round of chemo yesterday. There are two more rounds left, then we’ll run a PET Scan to see if it’s actually working. I can't help but wonder—since he hasn't had any side effects at all, is the treatment even doing anything? Or maybe that beta glucan is helping him ride it out easier.
I'm always holding out hope for the best.

The lack of side effects doesn't necessarily mean the therapy isn't effective.
Honestly, if I had to guess, I'd say it's working; otherwise, I would have expected to see some significant decline by now.
Let him power through those last two rounds and, by God's grace, we'll see where things stand. I'm just glad to hear he's doing well—I know how much you've been worrying about this.