[chrisy]

Hi Marie,
If I am understanding the dates in your "signature", your husband is having an MRI of his head (or is it skull?) and also having radiation both next week. And he currently has an appt at DFCI Monday of the following week. Right?

Waiting is just the hardest thing - especially when having symptoms. It definitely makes the mind race. It's so hard to not imagine the cancer just going crazy behind your back.

On the other hand, you have 2 oncologists telling you he can wait another week. I've had oncs tell me that, too - and part of my problem is that I always see this as urgent and want it taken care of NOW. Actually yesterday would be better! Although for me it's hard to hear "it's ok to wait a week", it is also somewhat reassuring.

I like the suggestions of seeing if you can waitlist, or at least let the doctor know your concerns. Although I know it's easy for me to say, but you are talking about not even a week and a half - and in the meantime you are also getting more info with the MRI. This will help in whatever decision process.

I don't know if you have your eye on something specific in terms of a treatment plan from DFCI, but if you are thinking of a some sort of chemo trial, getting a chemo treatment next week (even if you could!) might preclude getting into a trial, or at least delay it. The trial I'm in required 2 weeks since your last chemo. Besides, what chemo would you even do? I thought part of your goal for getting the 2nd opinion was to get guidance on WHAT chemo, if any, to use. I'm not sure if getting radiation might also cause a problem, so it's a good idea to try and get a green light on that if you're considering it.

I wouldn't worry about being blacklisted by Dana Farber - the very nature of the beast is that crap happens, I'm sure they understand this. I'd be astonished if they refused to take appointments for him or DQ him from future trials unless the trial protocols didn't fit based on the chemo he has taken (and note my comment above)

Keep the faith - I know you will.