Dr. Geffen:

I was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer and am currently receiving chemo/radiation.  I have heard great things about your book and would love to get a copy.  I have tried several book stores, but no one has it.

Do you happen to know how I can get a copy?  Thank you!

Lisa

I cannot believe that the Dr. sent you this response.  I too have stage 4 lung cancer.  You should never give up hope.  There are people who have been diagnosed with stage 4 who are now "NED."  I am really suprised about this reply from the Dr., after reading his synopsis on the 7 levels of healing. 

 I have ovarian cancer since 2003, have had several surgeries after which I had a bowel obstruction requiring a Foley catheter.  I have been unable to gain weight since that time which worries me because I can't afford to lose any more weight.  I have heard that sugar is not good for cancer, so I have been staying away from a lot of great tasting foods including ice cream which I love.  Do you have any advice for me as to what I can do to gain weight?  Everyone tells me I'm too skinny.  By the way, I am juicing, drinking one glass of carrot juice in the morning and a glass of green juice a second time during the day.

 Primary peritoneal carcinoma sarcoma I know is rare and not much is known about it.  Mine is stage IV and I am 70 years old with past heart and kidney disease.  My question is what is the average length of survival of all of the known cases of this type of cancer. I am told by my oncologist that it all depends on the individual.  Nice cop out, but I would really like to know more.

 Dear Dr. Geffen;

I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of ovarian cancer. Carcinoma sarcoma ovarian cancer stage 3 b  . I had a hysterectomy and they removed the tumor and a piece of my bowel. The cells had gone into my pelvis  but they removed all they could see. I had a wonderful surgeon. My last cat scan showed no measurable disease and my CA-125 is 8. I am currently in a clinical trial in Boston Ma. at Dana Farber with taxol, carbo, and Avastin. There has been alot of good things with Avastin for breast cancer and lung cancer but this is so rare the doctors rewrote the study to get me in. I want to thank you for this great site for sharing information and receiving information. I will let you know when I am healed by God and the medicines. God bless you.

Cindy in NH

 I also opted not to have chemo.  After weighing the benefits vs the side effects, we figured that chemo only gave me a 3% better outcome.  My oncologist said he was comfortable with my decision though it does nag at me a bit.  I am taking Arimidex.

June 2008  ar age 65 I had a total mastectomy.  I had a .8cm invasive tumor along with associated DCIS.  Stage 1b,  node negative, estrogen & progesterone positive, HER-2 negative.  I did not need radiation.  There is no family history of breast cancer.

Everything indicated that I was in the "low group" and would not need chemo.  Then the Oncotype DX test was done and gave me a score of 30 which was one point below the "high group" which needs chemo.  My first reaction was to go for chemo but then after carefully looking over the charts and grafts & asking a ton of questions many of which we could not get answered, we decided a 3% improvement was not worth the side effects.

 My name is Patti and I had a total hysterectomy in May, 2008, and a 9 cm. tumor removed.  I had ovarian stage 3 and uterine, stage 1.  The ovarian is clear cell which is aggressive.  Although my biopsies were all negative............due to the aggresive cell and tumor size, I am in chemo.  I'm doing wonderful and feel great.  Even with the chemo !!  Thank God.

I live alone and have no family, etc...............so I must do well.  I've used "my mind" so get through some of the unpleasantness.  My CA-125 was only 17 prior to surgery, so the doctors actually felt that possibly I did NOT have cancer................but,I DID !

So, I really have NO faith in the CA-125. 

What is Avastin?

Take care and good vibes to you.

Patti in Pa. 

Hey Patti sounds like what you need to do. I hope all is well and that you will be able to look back Like I have . Good luck too you :)