Stem Cell treatment

[goldenoldie]

Well I am coming to the end of my series of chemo and the results (touch wood) have been good enough that my specialist is sending me to Montpellier Hospital (our "local" Centre of Excellence) for a three week cycle of stem cell treatment.

I have to go next Wednesday to have the 'protocols" or explanation of treatment discussed with to me and I wonder if anyone else has already had this and could give me a few pro's and cons? I always feel more knowledge is power. I have looked it up on the internet but its not the same as personal experience, so can anyone help? thanks

[csfmoneybags]

Sorry for the delay in replying, Goldenoldie! I have been in the UK for a few days so am only just catching up with the posts on the forum.

As I have posted elsewhere, under the Plan Cancer all patients are entitled to a full description and consultation on proposed treatment, but this is not in place everywhere. Your point about 'power' is important - when CSF was set up this was one of our objectives - to give people back control over their lives.

The important point about the consultation stage of your treatment is that you should be presented with options - including the right to refuse treatment. The possible side effects, and prognoses, should be explained to you. However, the vital thing is to be prepared to ask questions - the French medical profession is still considerably stuck in the past when it comes to volunteering information, operating on the principle that if you don't ask, it is because you don't want to know (not because you haven't had time to think of a relevant question.

This is where is is very useful to take someone with you who (given your likely 'distressed' state) can spot likely questions and either prompt you or ask them on your behalf. You can always ask for time to consider - don't be pressured into (for example) accepting radical surgery scheduled for the following day, without doing this.

Hope this helps - and god luck.

Andy Shepherd

[goldenoldie]

thanks for your comments Andy. I have always been a great advocate of asking questions and am compiling my list ready for tomorrow. I am lucky enough to be taking "pennycsf" with me, so I hope that between us we will sort out any problems.

I must say that my "local" Hospital -Perpignan have been excellent regarding the giving out of information and I cannot fault them in that or any other regard...I am hoping that Montpelier can come up to their standard!!...just watch this space!