Sorry about yesterday evening. I have an 84 year old uncle who fell ill with a glioblastoma brain tumor (click here) and the family is absolutely besides themselves.
It is a very unfortunate story and an odd one. As recently as last week he had climbed a ladder to remove debris from a rain gutter on the front porch without a problem. The other day he was sitting at the breakfast table with his 82 year old wife looking through an accounting book when he did nothing but flipped the pages. He would not respond when she called his name and she had thought he had a stroke. An ambulance was called and the story begins.
A Cat Scan showed up a brain tumor at his right temple. Surgery was preformed to determine the type of tumor and he was diagnosed. He was sent home without treatment by the doctors to live his life which could end anywhere from four days to six months. No treatment, not even the option of hospice or invoking the living will.
He was home yesterday alert and speaking to family. There are six daughters, two of whom are in the medical profession. They are all devastated.
One of the daughters, my cousin, had watched a television program whereby Duke University had found a use for a virus to defeat such tumors. In the program it was stated, the treatment had been successful on a 76 year old man. She had called Duke and received the news that while her father was a candidate for the treatment, which could potentially save his life, they could not offer it to him. Why? Because it is not approved by the FDA, is an experimental treatment and can only be administered if given chemo and/or radiation treatment without success.
Link: http://www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/modules/Research3/index.php?id=41
The FDA needs to consider allowing this treatment in such cases. The family has resolved to stay with the parents on a rotating basis and conduct life as usual as long as it continues. I have never been in the presence of a family so hopeless in my life. It is terrible for them. So. Life goes on.
It is a very unfortunate story and an odd one. As recently as last week he had climbed a ladder to remove debris from a rain gutter on the front porch without a problem. The other day he was sitting at the breakfast table with his 82 year old wife looking through an accounting book when he did nothing but flipped the pages. He would not respond when she called his name and she had thought he had a stroke. An ambulance was called and the story begins.
A Cat Scan showed up a brain tumor at his right temple. Surgery was preformed to determine the type of tumor and he was diagnosed. He was sent home without treatment by the doctors to live his life which could end anywhere from four days to six months. No treatment, not even the option of hospice or invoking the living will.
He was home yesterday alert and speaking to family. There are six daughters, two of whom are in the medical profession. They are all devastated.
One of the daughters, my cousin, had watched a television program whereby Duke University had found a use for a virus to defeat such tumors. In the program it was stated, the treatment had been successful on a 76 year old man. She had called Duke and received the news that while her father was a candidate for the treatment, which could potentially save his life, they could not offer it to him. Why? Because it is not approved by the FDA, is an experimental treatment and can only be administered if given chemo and/or radiation treatment without success.
Many millions of dollars from grant and
philanthropic funds have already been invested in this
genetically-modified poliovirus work, and significant additional funds
will be required to continue to move it forward. If you wish to donate to this important scientific advancement, please go to our online donation form.
Link: http://www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/modules/Research3/index.php?id=41
The FDA needs to consider allowing this treatment in such cases. The family has resolved to stay with the parents on a rotating basis and conduct life as usual as long as it continues. I have never been in the presence of a family so hopeless in my life. It is terrible for them. So. Life goes on.
