Many of you have wonderful connections in the medical world. Please read this and respond to the young lady, or to me, if you have any suggestions.
And please lift her up in your prayers!
Edwin
From: Sarah Lindsey <sarah.lindsey.nc@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:51:11 -0400
To: Sarah Lindsey<sarah.lindsey.nc@gmail.com>; Sumit Gupta<sgupta@icrsaga.com>; <sumitandsarah@gmail.com>
Subject: An URGENT medical request – please read
Dear Family and Friends,
I am writing out of hope, faith, but also out of desperation. I need your help so please take the time to carefully read and immediately act on this email as time is certainly of the essence. As many of you are aware, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC), approximately 1 year ago in April 2010 at the age of 29. Sumit, my husband, and I, faithfully believe that the “right” doctor/person is out there that can help me; but we desperately need any and all help our family and friends could offer. Please circulate this letter to as many people as possible all over the world as I must quickly find this person. My life depends on it.
A brief history…
After my diagnosis, I immediately underwent a massive surgery at Duke Hospital in North Carolina (USA), where a 10cm tumor, my right adrenal gland, 20% of my liver, and 3 lymph nodes were removed. Post-operatively, my oncologist and surgeon advocated that I begin a type of oral chemotherapy known as Mitotane as a preventative measure for recurrence. This drug was known to help approximately 20% of Adrenal cancer (ACC) patients. After considerable research and prayer, my husband and I decided against the chemotherapy and turned our attention to multiple holistic treatments instead. We completely changed our lifestyle, eliminated all of the harmful toxins and foods that once were mainstays in our diet, and have added in a wide variety of cancer fighting foods, IV therapies, and mental and physical exercises in hopes of preserving and extending my life.
Despite our efforts, each scan since April 2010 has indicated new cancer growth in the lymph node region around the surgical resection, my liver, and lungs. In November 2010, I opted to try the Mitotane drug. Unfortunately, the tumor was not responsive, and I was removed from the drug in January 2011. I was next directed to a new clinical trial at Duke Hospital for the drug IGF-1 receptor antagonist OSI-906, which I began on March 16, 2011. There is a 33% chance that I am receiving a placebo instead of the actual treatment drug. I will never know. My next scan is scheduled for the week of April 27, 2011. Meanwhile, I’m in more and more pain every day and believe my tumors are continuing to rapidly grow.
While surgery remains the ONLY proven cure for those with ACC, my surgeon and doctors at Duke Hospital do not consider me to be a surgical candidate at this time due to the size and location of the tumor. They believe it is very vascular in nature and surgery could cause extensive internal bleeding.. However, my husband and I refuse to believe that surgery is not an option. There must be a surgeon in this world that can successfully perform this surgery. We need to find this person and immediately proceed with a surgical procedure that would remove all or most of this tumor from my body. At least that would give me more time and a fighting chance to eventually beat this cancer!
PLEASE quickly circulate this email to all doctors, or anyone you know that may be able to help us or at least guide us in the right direction. We are open to surgery, additional chemotherapy drugs that are more targeted to this cancer, or more holistic approaches. We know the answer is out there and need your help in finding it.
I can send additional information upon request, such as my latest CT scans, lab work, or any other information. The best way to contact us is via email at sumitandsarah@gmail.com.
no disrespect intended doc, and i totally empathize with the patient’s condition, yet, somehow, i must say it is ironic that after considerable ‘research’ they decided to quit scientifically proven treatments and take up holistic therapies to try and control the cancer (and now are back to looking for a doctor). anyways, my prayers are with the patient and their family.
[sorry that the very first comment that i leave on your blog is a snarky one]
No problem! I understand your point. Having just been down the road of cancer with my wife, I do understand the frantic confusion at time, as patients and their families grasp at anything. I agree, I probably wouldn’t have gone that route myself.
Emmy, Thank you for your concern. This was forward to me by a friend in DC, so I was happy to send it on. But your point is well-made. It’s easy to empathize too much. I’ll pay close attention to that from now on. I appreciate your prayers and attention!
Edwin
Pattie, RN
13 years ago
Sorry, but I have to agree with Pranab. This young woman decided against medical treatment in favor of snake oil and voodoo, and now that it is not working, wants to opt back into traditional medical care. Choices have consequences, and while I am saddened at her plight, her own choices brought her to this point. Although I am clearly not a surgeon, I would not risk this procedure, given the potential for serious complications and this woman’s past history of questionable follow up.
olivia
13 years ago
Dr leap, how is it possible to “empathize too much”? What are the poster’s concerns?
Hi there, I found your website by the use of Google while looking for a related subject, your site got here up, it seems great. I’ve added to my favourites|added to bookmarks.
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no disrespect intended doc, and i totally empathize with the patient’s condition, yet, somehow, i must say it is ironic that after considerable ‘research’ they decided to quit scientifically proven treatments and take up holistic therapies to try and control the cancer (and now are back to looking for a doctor). anyways, my prayers are with the patient and their family.
[sorry that the very first comment that i leave on your blog is a snarky one]
Pranab,
No problem! I understand your point. Having just been down the road of cancer with my wife, I do understand the frantic confusion at time, as patients and their families grasp at anything. I agree, I probably wouldn’t have gone that route myself.
Thanks for commenting!
Edwin
Emmy, Thank you for your concern. This was forward to me by a friend in DC, so I was happy to send it on. But your point is well-made. It’s easy to empathize too much. I’ll pay close attention to that from now on. I appreciate your prayers and attention!
Edwin
Sorry, but I have to agree with Pranab. This young woman decided against medical treatment in favor of snake oil and voodoo, and now that it is not working, wants to opt back into traditional medical care. Choices have consequences, and while I am saddened at her plight, her own choices brought her to this point. Although I am clearly not a surgeon, I would not risk this procedure, given the potential for serious complications and this woman’s past history of questionable follow up.
Dr leap, how is it possible to “empathize too much”? What are the poster’s concerns?
Hi there, I found your website by the use of Google while looking for a related subject, your site got here up, it seems great. I’ve added to my favourites|added to bookmarks.