Dr. Irwin never did show up. So this evening Harold was as upset as you'd imagine and pretty well ready to go on a hunger strike. He is going to try - with help of friends I believe - to get this guy off his team and get an oncologist who actually cares to communicate and listen to his patient. Every day counts and it's been about a week now that Harold (or anyone else) has been unable to contact him. Lara, maybe now is a time to follow up again with trying to reach the highland patient advocates. They haven't called me back - none of the three.
Other news. Dr. Hassan was able to talk to one of Dr. Irwin's senior team members. He gave her a staging number as requested. As many suspected, Harold's cancer is at stage 3. 3B to be exact, with the B standing in for abnormal renal function according to Doctor and confirmed here , link provided by Emmy.
It doesn't look too good for that stage. I'm afraid the median longevity after diagnosis is 15 months. From what studies I've found online the longevity after a diagnosis including renal failure depends upon the level and type of failure - calcium-related or myeloma intrusion, healable or not, whether dialysis is temporary or permanent. etc. So I will continue to research a little. Anyone on this list have any other information?
Finally, Dr. Hassan confirms that dialysis is going to be a permanent part of Harold's life now. Done on outpatient basis at some point, once Harold moves out of Highland. I asked if the kidney function was stabilizing or improving in any way yet, and she said unfortunately not yet.
I might already have said, today Harold started on an initial chemotherapy that will hopefully help with stabilizing the kidney issue.
What else. The renal team is already working on lining up a clinic where Harold will be able to get his treatment
Peace, all.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I don't understand how Harold is on chemotherapy without having talked to the oncologist and signed consent papers??
ReplyDeleteIt's not the "final" treatment plan. This was prescribed by hi MD as part of getting his kidney thing under control so they can get going with the actual regimen. That's all I know. More information would be great. Can you talk to Harold about it?
ReplyDelete