Update on my husband and the multitude of tests and diagnosis hits and misses. This past Friday we met with his oncologist to discuss the final tests which were molecular and genetic tests that they hoped would give them a better idea of the type of cancer and treatment options. In the end they still do not have a definitive diagnosis. They are leaning to lung cancer but as of now it's actually a 'cancer of unknown primary'. It is Stage 4 and they are offering that no treatment options are actually workable. They feel that chemo would simply make him feel ill in the time he has left (months to a year) and that radiation and surgery are also off the table. Our consultation, where they told my husband that he is terminal, has only months to live and they can offer no real options except palliative, was to be about an hour. I wanted more information on clinical trials, alternative treatments, more definition on how long he might expect to live, what symptoms he will have and how we address those......well......the doctor walked out of the appointment after 25 minutes because she had made another patient appointment with someone she said was 'really sick'. I guess sicker than a dying man, my husband. I don't think I've ever felt as disrespected or angry in my entire life. I've been through a lot in my life (more than some people, less than some) but the moment she walked out of the room, leaving us with so many unanswered questions and the worst news we could receive was devastating.

We can accept that my husband is seriously ill and is dying but my confidence in these doctors and the way this situation has been handled leaves me with many concerns. We will be getting a second opinion to allay these concerns and perhaps find any glimmer of hope in an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that may prolong his life. Perhaps at some point there really are no answers when one has cancer.

I am particularly interested in getting any feedback from members who had success with alternative treatments to help with symptom management? Vitamin C therapy? Marijuana (legal where we live, both medically and recreationally), other options? Not knowing the cancer type I just want to be prepared to support my husband for as long as I can and provide him with the best quality of life he can have.