cancer treatment (Houston, Center, Anderson: insurance, home, quality of life)

[XodoX]

Hello,

my friend has cancer. They found out he had cancer last september. His insurance didn't cover it and he applied for the gold card. He has received all of his treatment at the LBJ. I thought it was a very good hospital ( since it's part of the UT medical center) , but he's having problems. The first chemo damaged his heart and it looks like there's no way that he will be able to survive another chemo. A month ago they refussed to give him a check up to see if his heart has improved or something like that, just to see if he is healthy enough for another chemo. The thing is that he is in a bad condition.
The gold card can only be used at county hospitals. I think LBJ is the best county hospital here? Now they managed to get him another appointment for some other check up in june. It seems like they don't care much. He has lost so much weight and everything, but they don't do nothing. It seems like they don't care because he "just" has a gold card.

His sister wants to go with him to a specialist to help him survive. Someone who really cares. They just can't afford such an expensive treatment.
I was wondering if anybody knows what one could do? Obviously, he can't get insurance now. But the county hospital is apparently not good enough. There must be another way to help him? His sister tried to find a way to help him, but couldn't find anything. Some specialist who is willing to help him. It's so sad.

He has "throat cancer". Not sure if you all it like this, but it's in his throat and damaged some tissues there. He hasn't been able to eat ever since and needs a feeding tube to "eat".

[Mom2Feebs]

MD Anderson takes care of indigent patients all the time. Your friend needs to come to Houston. Unfortunately, chemotherapy is extremely toxic (depending on the cocktail they use) and can do more damage than the cancer itself. My husband's grandfather had throat cancer and chemotherapy wrecked him for good. He would have died--and probably faster--from the cancer, anyway...but that's the choice we all make.

[texdav]

Md has been the number two hospital tated for cancer treatment for years. It is now rated the #1 hosiptal in the country for cancer treartent. I have known many epole that went thewre for treatment ;it top notch. Cancer treatment improves every year so its hard to equate even the treatment a year ago with now really.

[XodoX]

Thank you. He lives in Houston.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but dosen't take MD Anderson just patients on a charity basis ( those that can't afford it) ? I don't know how he would get in there.

[karuna95]

There are 2 public hospitals in Houston that take the Gold Card -- LBJ and Ben Taub. LBJ hosts some MDAnderson oncologists, and Ben Taub hosts Baylor oncologists, meaning that these docs also treat patients at these facilities.

A challenge of treating patients well at public hospitals is the lack of resources such as access to diagnostic procedures, either because there are too few machines available, the machines are spotty and don't work half the time, or because there are no machines available. So a public hospital may have the best oncologists working there, but the treatment they are able to provide may not be optimal, due to environmental limitations.

Of course, the type (i.e. throat cancer) and stage of cancer (i.e. stage 2) also affects the type of care offered. Learn as much as you can about the cancer, so that you can help your friend understand and make the best treatment decisions.

Some suggestions -- make sure your friend is accompanied by an advocate on his next appointment. The advocate is a friend or family member who can ask the questions that the patient forgets to ask, or doesn't think about asking. The advocate can also take notes for the patient about the treatment options and process.

M. D. Anderson's web site has some very useful tips for what to do, and how to plan for care, when a cancer diagnosis is received.
Patient Care Essentials - Newly Diagnosed - MD Anderson Cancer Center (http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/patient-care-essentials/newly-diagnosed/patient-care-essentials-newly-diagnosed.html - broken link)

Encourage your friend to also explore clinical trials as a treatment options. There are clinical trials to improve quality of life (i.e. reduce symptoms, improve physical performance, etc...), as well as trials to assess new treatments and treatment modalities. Until we develop the perfect way to treat cancer, clinical trials can offer very viable treatment options for patients.

Call 1-877-MDA-6789 for information about applying for supplemental finacial benefits. MDA does provide care for patients without resources, however, there are some pre-conditions, i.e. the patients' cancer cannot be adequately treated at LBJ, the patient is a Texas resident for a certain length of time, and of course, financial criteria.

Another resource -- patient support networks. MDAnderson operates an internet-based patient support network for patients and their caregivers. Lots of good topics and issues are discussed, as well as solutions and strategies used by other survivors. Of course, incredible support and encouragement are also provided. Anyone can sign up, you don't have to be an mdanderson patient. Anderson Network - Home - MD Anderson Cancer Center

Your friend is fortunate to have a caring and concerned friend like you, as well as family members around. Good luck to him!

[XodoX]

Thank you so much!! I just emailed them the information and his siter will call them.

I have not been to the Ben Taub Hospital, but is it better than LBJ? Honestly, the area LBJ is in etc. makes it look bad..kinda.

I'm not sure if he could be treated adequately at LBJ. Maybe they could, but they do a bad job , imo. It's so frustrating.

[4everwaiting]

There are so many people in this type of situation. Things that can be prevented,cured,treated. I have been supporting HCHD for many years.I thought it would be a good thing. I would be giving back to science to get well. This is not the case.
(I did not always have a gold card)It seems that the regard for safety is not a priority. Patient pays discount,full pay or insurance and gets medical treatment that seems to be literally; practiced on the human patient.

All of the facilities are teaching with not enough supervision. The original concept is great. Some of the workers and rules not so. A few issues are; not being able to deviate and no consequence.Does everyone get a diagnosis,how accurate? I have only encountered a few who get the job done right and make you comfortable. There is nothing done about mistakes. Some cover up little mistakes, what about the big ones. Getting medical records is near impossible. False information has also been put in my medical record. I recently found out medical notes/records affects getting employment.

Changes need to be made.....................

[RedRat44]

Tell your friend to change his/her diet to raw, uncooked foods, mostly greens. Do some research online. The body can heal itself. Hospitals/cancer treatments are brutal, ridiculously expensive and seldom cure anything.