Mom

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

Both you and your family are in my thoughts.
Sara

[Luckey]

Sent some prayers your way, sure hope they help.

[BEEDEE]

Alan - you all are in my thoughts and prayers,

Brian

[Coinneach]

Sending healing thoughts to Caroline and her entire family.

[ChattanCat]

Alan,
All the best for the future and good health.
Wally

[James MacMillan]

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Standard]

Alan, tell mom and the rest of the family that we will also keep you in our prayers.

[gilmore]

I hope everything goes as well as it can for all of you.

I had lymphoma in 1999/2000, and was told by the first oncologist I saw that I would be dead within 3 or 4 years, and during my first visit with him. I got into a clinical trial at National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, that was successful. I have been cancer-free for 8 years, and it is highly unlikely that the kind of lymphoma I had returns after so long. It was a very positive experience for me. Everyone there is highly motivated, and moral is also high, which I suspect is due to their being incredibly, unbelieveably well-funded. If you haven't don't so, you might take a look at their search engine for clinical trials at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ and at http://clinicalresearch.nih.gov/ for background info.

I did a search and came up with this: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result...h+cell+sarcoma
which shows 3 trials, one a combo and 2 using single drugs. The combo study is for those with Stage III and Stage IV. (My cancer was stage IV at diagnosis, so don't believe it when some one tells you that no one survives a Stage IV cancer.) I found the MD's at NIH and NCI, National Cancer Institute, which is a part of NIH, very helpful and open to dialogue. I would not be surprised if they gave you candid assesments of where to look for resources, info, and more over the phone, if you call them.

There are other studies also that could probably be discovered through websearches. And these days one doesn't need to be refered by one's physician for studies, at least not at NIH. One can self-refer.

When one receives a diagnosis like this, one really has to become educated in one's disease, or have a friend or relative who will. You have to become an active partner in your helath care management, as they say. It's a bit of work, but is a much more successful way of dealing with it than just turning your treatment over to your MD's and unquestioningly doing whatever you are told.

If I can help you further, please feel free to email or PM me.

[string]

my prayers are with you

[Arizona Scot]

Alan you your wife and mother in law will be in our prayers. My wife's mother suffers from a nervous disorder that causes pain and restlessness in her legs and back. For years the doctors either misdiagnosised or didn't believe her think that she was drug seeking. She finally found someone who knew what it was and has been able to help her quite a bit. Keep the faith my friend, relief might not come right away but usually there is an answer out there. Tell your mother in law don't give up and we are all with her in spirit.