macliam

There you go, "Dum spiro, spero!" Still not a pleasant journey ahead, but far less bleak than you thought.

Good luck with the treatment.

liveaboard

It's great to hear that the prognosis is so hopeful!
Cancer isn't the automatic killer it used to be. Those medical science people have been coming up with some useful stuff.
Please keep us informed.

Ukkram

Thanks for all the heads up. Much appreciated. We are off to Porto on Monday with the SNS card that is actually an A4 page and not a card.

If the appointment is for longer than 2 weeks we will divert to Lisbon and go to Hospital da Luz by train. It is a private hospital and has an oncology section.

An interesting fact is that a new "Edge" Radiosurgery was done in PT to treat cancer. This is the most sophisticated method to date and PT was the first to use it. It is a non evasive treatment that targets cancer growths without damaging adjacent tissue and does not need open surgery and it has better results.
One up for PT.

spouse of scouse

UKkram, I'm very sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis.

You're probably well over people telling you their own stories, so just scroll past if this is the (understandable!) case.

My brother was 49 when he was diagnosed 5 years ago with cancer of the larynx. He had a biopsy and the cancer was found to have spread to his lymph nodes. He had surgery, with a cut from ear to ear. This was followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The prognosis wasn't great when he was diagnosed, but after his surgery and treatment his specialists were cautiously optimistic. 5 years later he's still cancer-free. He has regular check ups and everything's been bang on every time.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, unless you and your wife are told definitively that there's nothing that can be done, there is always a good chance at beating the bastard.

I know that doesn't take the worry or shock away, nor does it make the treatment easier, whether as the person with cancer or as those who love and support them (like you). It's such a difficult time, all I can advise is laugh when you're able to, cry when you need to, yell when you want to, and never give up hope that you and your wife will still have many years together. Sending you both my very best wishes.

captainflack

Really encouraged to hear that your wife has a good fighting chance here.

My dad was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2002 at 59. Had chemo and beat it, but the doctor explained a bit nonchalantly that it would come back and kill him within 2 years.

5 years later it returned, he did different chemo, lost less weight and didn't lose his hair again.

And now, he's 10 years clear. It hasn't returned again. This is as much down to the advances in treatment as it is to the doctor's not having much clue what the prognosis was.

Thanks to the wonders of medical science, my dad survived to see my wedding, see us have two kids, and spend time with them growing up, and I think he'd be the first to say the past 15 years have been the best of his life. The lows in life are tough, but they make you appreciate the highs even more.

Ukkram

Thank you so much for the support. I really appreciate it as we have no other support here in the north. Not even our next door neighbors can interact with us so we are left to our own grief.

This is why this forum is the only way I can get support and I thank you guys for doing so. It REALLY HELPS.

Today we went back to Porto. One main train to the city and and 2 more underground tubes to the hospital.

All was very simple as we had a fear of this trip but the auto ticket machines were in English. Very simple to use.

Her SNS card was accepted and we now have to wait for them to phone us for the appointment. It may take 6 days for her to see the Oncologist.

BEVS

Still tough days ahead but the above is so encouraging. That they have up to the minute treatment facilities.

Hopefully treatment will get underway shortly .

Wish you all the best Ukkram.

ouriquejan

Only just seen this Ukram and my support is winging it's way northward to you both.

Good luck today.

Ukkram

Thanks for all the support. Very much appreciated.

My wife is now on OPI-Porto Oncology Hospital books and will be getting her medical card from them on her next visit.
They will phone us in about 5 working days to give her an appointment and that should be a day or two later.
The oncologist will determine what procedure to do and schedule it for another day.

ouriquejan

Glad everything is moving quickly for you both.

qianh

Hi Ukkram, so sorry to hear your wife's diagnosis but it's good to hear things are moving towards good direction! Wish all the best to you and your family!

Qian

Saz1

Hope all goes well for your wife. My dad had exceedingly good treatment in Faro for his bowel cancer and had nothing but praise for the staff and his treatment.

GeniB

I am so pleased to hear your wife's results weren't as bad a was first thought Ukkram.. Another friend of mine was treated last year in Hospital da luz.. an excellent place.she will be in good hands . wishing you lots of success..Reading your last note again..She may be in Porto.. Oncology is usually treated in public hospitals in Portugal and has a very enviable record of success.. so wherever she is she's in the best hands

Ukkram

Thanks GeniB. She is indeed with Portugal Institute of Oncology (IPO) at Sao Joao hospital in Porto. This is the biggest hospital in the Iberian Peninsula with the most modern equipment to date.
It is also the main center for cancer research in PT so she is in good hands.

EMR

A very close friend of ours had treatment for throat cancer in lisbon about 3 years ago.
The treatment he received was incredible and today after his latest check up he was given an all clear.
Portugal has an amazing health service when you need it.