Stomach Cancer Stage 4 - Treatment advice (Asif Chaudry)

John1962 fantastic news. It's great to hear something positive. Good luck as things continue

So pleased you’ve had some good news, hope it continues 

Hi SDH I’ve read your dad’s story and wow - what a journey you’ve been on. I’m so sorry to hear all you’ve been through, but also what a miraculous recovery he made. 

I saw you’ve done a lot of reading and I wondered if your dad took or consumed turmeric? I’ve seen some papers suggesting it could help gastric cancer and am currently in debate with my brother (who thinks he’s a scientist) and is challenging every suggestion I make. I don’t see the harm in trying and wondered if this was something you tried? Cancer Research even mention it on their website and say there has been some positive clinical trials and evidence, albeit not enough to make any substantial claims. My thinking was ‘what have you got to lose’. 

thanks 

I’ve been taking shilajit, and soursop capsules as well, at this point I thought anything was worth a try, no real proof if they work but nothing to lose 

Hi Eden, Turmeric should be fine to take, but dad's oncologist told us that overdoing it can be a bit hard on the liver x

Hi Sammay0099 , I am so sorry to hear about your situation and sending you lots of good wishes. Thank you so much for getting back to me.

That's interesting to hear his opinion was the same. I am doing this on behalf of my parents, who, don't like to challenge things, steer of course, in part, as they are so frightened and don't want to 'disrupt' the system. But, I'm really keen for my Dad to see him. Please could I ask your advice on two things.

1. Did you pay to see him privately, or get a referral via NHS/the system you're in? They are lucky that if needed, they could stretch to go privately, but I don't know if that means starting from scratch or if Mr.Chaudry could access all my dad's notes and files from everything so far?

2. My dad is with the Royal Marsden, but not the Sutton branch and is under the care of a doctor who he said has been quite cold, abrupt, condescending and dismissive when he was asking questions trying to understand things better wouldn't answer them and was like 'you've got cancer and that's it'. Could I ask how you got that referral? 

Please could I also ask what his approach is? My dad is starting Chemo soon, both IV and pills and they will re-assess after the first round but was told if he didn't try, it was 2-6 months.

So grateful for any response! Thank you!

Hi. I definitely understand how your parents are feeling. I tiptoed around the second opinion discussion as I didn’t want to question what I was being advised. I had a work colleague who had gone through cancer treatment and she gave me the push. I came to the realisation that it was my life on the line. I was nervous to tell doctor #1 however was surprised in that he knew Asif Chaudry and was supportive (which made it easier) I also have private insurance however doctor #1 practiced within the NHS as well (and many of my records spanned between the two)

In regards to a second opinion, I sort of went the long way round as I had found Asif Chaudry’s information on the HCA site. They have a page on their website to initiate a request for a second opinion which ironically led me to find out that he doesn’t really practice for the HCA, rather the Royal Marsden so it was a bit of a goose chase! I did however have his PA’s info so I booked my apt at the RM through her. All of my prior records had however been retrieved as HCA had started the process. While private, your Dad’s records can be accessed (with a consent form signed) I’ve been to A&E unfortunately a few times (colitis related) and each time the RM has been able to request records, scans, etc so there is a link between the two and apparently it’s something that’s done quite frequently. 

I’ve found a similar page for the RM which might be worth a try. Is your Dad being treated at Chelsea under NHS care? Based upon what is stated on this page, you can self refer.  

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/private-care/referrals

For assurance, I was also told I could start chemo with doctor #1 and change at anytime (due to health issues however my chemo was delayed)  as the chemo approach was the same. 

When I met with Dr Chaudry initially he reviewed my CT and other scans and advised that due to the spread of my cancer (to my peritoneum) that palliative chemo was the approach to be taken.  He is very considerate and reviewed with my husband and I in detail (although almost a year on, a lot of the discussion is now a blur) The next step was to meet with the oncologist (Sheela Rao) to discuss the approach with chemo. I met with her shortly after and while the treatment approach hadn’t changed, I made the decision to change my care to the RM  

I’ll have your Dad in my thoughts as he starts chemo. One important thing to note, ask him to document how he feels each day. Day 1 post chemo, Day 2 post chemo, etc even if it’s just a few words. It will help as he progresses with each round as he’ll get a sense of the days when he starts to feel a turn (ie less tired) It will also help each time you meet with the oncologist/consultant as it can sometimes be easy to forget a side effect that happened for only a few days. 

if I can answer anything further, just let me know. 

This is brilliant news Jon1961