I watched part of a PBS miniseries on cancer treatments

[stellas]

Last night. The second half is tonight.

It made me feel vacillating waves of gratitude and abject horror. And it was completely fascinating.

I had no idea that 50 years ago there was a children's hospital where researchers exclusively worked with kids with leukemia, trying different combinations and doses of rudimentary chemotherapy on them to try and save them. They all died within a few years.

It wasn't until the 1970s that they figured out how to get a 30% long term survival rate.

We are SO LUCKY to live when we do.

[shell403b]

stellas, did you happen to catch 60 Minutes on Sunday? There was a segment on POLIO(!!) treatments for cancer. Fascinating, and hope-inspiring. I think you can get 60 Minutes online.

[shopgirl07]

So true. I remember Ted Kennedy describing his son's battle with cancer in the early 70s. Back then you had to pay out of pocket for chemo treatments, insurance didn't cover any of it. He felt so blessed that he was able to pay for his sons treatment but so sad that other parents couldn't.

[CajunShrimp]

I am watching it right now. It is fascinating. The doctor who developed radiation treatment wound up losing his hand, arm and lower lip to radiation poisoning.

[bcv513]

Mar 31, 2015 7:41:34 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

So true. I remember Ted Kennedy describing his son's battle with cancer in the early 70s. Back then you had to pay out of pocket for chemo treatments, insurance didn't cover any of it. He felt so blessed that he was able to pay for his sons treatment but so sad that other parents couldn't.

I remember reading about that. Ted Kennedy said something like his son lost a leg but gained a life. And I always think about the Bushes and the daughter they lost to leukemia. There was absolutely no treatment then.

[pagas]

Have you read The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks?

[MixedBerryJam]

I didn't realize it was a multiparter. I DVR'd last nights (9 is too late for me to start a program). I have to make sure I have the second part scheduled, too.

[snipsnsnails]

The book it's based on is fascinating and eye opening.

[thebreakfastclub]

I watched the first hour last night, but I had to turn it off. It was so hard to see those kids with cancer. My nephew died of neuroblastoma less than 6 months ago.

Nothing worked for him. They tried chemotherapy, regular radiation, extremely high radiation (where he was isolated in a bunker for 72 hours), a surgery that left him with one kidney, and some clinical trials. He did manage to live a pretty normal life during his 4 years with cancer. The side effects are very cruel though - hearing loss, developmental delay, damage to fine motor skills.

Funding for childhood cancer is a challenge, so I wonder how that will be addressed in the balance of the series.

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2015 7:38:24 GMT -5 stellas said:

Last night. The second half is tonight.

It made me feel vacillating waves of gratitude and abject horror. And it was completely fascinating.

I had no idea that 50 years ago there was a children's hospital where researchers exclusively worked with kids with leukemia, trying different combinations and doses of rudimentary chemotherapy on them to try and save them. They all died within a few years.

It wasn't until the 1970s that they figured out how to get a 30% long term survival rate.

We are SO LUCKY to live when we do.

Just to chime in so you don't miss anything, IIRC, it's in 3 parts: last night, tonight, and tomorrow.

It's incredible how far we've actually comes since the 70s in terms of treatment.  I worked and volunteered for over a decade with children and families who had children undergoing experimental treatment for various diseases, so many of with cancer, I've never forgotten what they went through, those who survived and those families where their child(ren) didn't.

thebreakfastclub I'm so sorry for your loss.

[nursewife]

I'm going to have to watch this! I so enjoy watching/reading about progress in medical science. It astounds me how far treatments have come in the last 20-30 years. It makes me so thankful to live nowadays when there are so many treatment options for various illnesses. I can't wait to see how much more research and progress is made in the coming 20-30 years. I just love learning about the mechanisms regarding how different treatments and medications work on the human body. Science is so astounding and interesting. When I'm reading or watching things like that, I get even more mad about anti vaxers. So, so many people were desperate for treatments for so many deadly diseases in the past. Families would have lined up for blocks to get what we take for granted now in regards to immunizations.

[pagas]

Mar 31, 2015 12:04:36 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Mar 31, 2015 7:44:38 GMT -5 pagas said:

Have you read The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks?

Yes, I really enjoyed it. It was actually an imoan rec from here. However, I was derpy and just downloaded it. It was about halfway through when I realized it was true:/ Kind of like when I read the first and then 3rd books in the Divergent series.

It took place where I grew up, we drove by the Crownsville hospital whenever we visited my grandmother. It was a great book.

[cville]

Is this based on the Emperor of All Maladies? I read that and the descriptions of the breast cancer treatment John Adams's daughter went through made me cry harder than I'd cried at a book since Bridge to Terebithia.

[dexteroni]

Is the the Ken Burns series? I want to watch that but didn't realize it had already started. Hopefully it will be available on demand.

[sugarbear]

I don't think I can watch it. My mom was diagnosed in 1978 and was ill for four years. My Dad says that she tried every doctor they could find but that eventually, they couldn't afford treatment anymore and my mom pretty much gave up. He can talk about it now, but it's only fairly recently that he's gone into detail about how hopeless they felt.

And, just like that, I made another cancer post about me. LOL. It's kind of on my mind these days.

Someone will have to let me know if Part 3 is more about the future. If it gives me hope, I'll be inclined to watch it.

[Scout'sHonor]

I was going to post this on CEP, but I'll just join in here.  It was really well done.  The pictures of people just sitting around the radiation machines were crazy.  And that they have written record of breast cancer from ancient Egypt!  It definitely made me grateful for all those who willing did the clinical trials before us.  And I nearly broke down when the little girl's mom said something about "She'll be 32 and showing off her port scar."  I'm turning 32 this year and my scar is still itchy and painful after 6 months of the port being gone.

[lemons]

I'm not sure I could watch it. We were told chemo isn't working yesterday and there aren't many trials he qualifies for. Getting other opinions soon.

[sallywalker]

One of our physicians is on there! I need to watch.

[elleblue]

{{{lemons}}}

I'm recording it, not sure when I'll be able to watch it. The subject matter hits too close to home right now.

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2015 14:19:43 GMT -5 lemons said:

I'm not sure I could watch it. We were told chemo isn't working yesterday and there aren't many trials he qualifies for. Getting other opinions soon.

Hugs. Anything at MSKCC he qualifies for? They're running quite a few right now.  I know all the good hotels near the outpatient center and main hospital...

[Deleted]

I am definitely not going to be able to watch this, maybe ever, though I'd like to.

[snipsnsnails]

(((lemons)))

[Scout'sHonor]

Mar 31, 2015 15:02:02 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I am definitely not going to be able to watch this, maybe ever, though I'd like to.

H came home while I was halfway through and wondered why I'd watch.  He also questioned my decision to watch The Fault in Our Stars awhile back.
and big hugs lemons, this shit sucks.

[stellas]

Mar 31, 2015 15:07:49 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Mar 31, 2015 15:02:02 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I am definitely not going to be able to watch this, maybe ever, though I'd like to.

H came home while I was halfway through and wondered why I be watching.  He also questioned my decision to watch The Fault in Our Stars awhile back.
and big hugs lemons, this shit sucks.

It was really hard to stomach, and definitely set me back some on my reducing fear levels progress.

(Hugs) lemons.

[jane6672]

I'm so sorry, lemons.

[lemons]

Mar 31, 2015 15:00:13 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Mar 31, 2015 14:19:43 GMT -5 lemons said:

I'm not sure I could watch it. We were told chemo isn't working yesterday and there aren't many trials he qualifies for. Getting other opinions soon.

Hugs. Anything at MSKCC he qualifies for? They're running quite a few right now.  I know all the good hotels near the outpatient center and main hospital...

He's had too many lines of chemo to qualify for most trials but I will definitely check them out. Also looking into Mayo Clinic.

[lemons]

Mar 31, 2015 15:07:49 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

Mar 31, 2015 15:02:02 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I am definitely not going to be able to watch this, maybe ever, though I'd like to.

H came home while I was halfway through and wondered why I'd watch.  He also questioned my decision to watch The Fault in Our Stars awhile back.
and big hugs lemons, this shit sucks.

That's based on a lung cancer patient, right? I'd have to say that's in my never watching movie list.

[lemons]

Mar 31, 2015 15:06:08 GMT -5 @fflychaser said:

Mar 31, 2015 14:19:43 GMT -5 lemons said:

I'm not sure I could watch it. We were told chemo isn't working yesterday and there aren't many trials he qualifies for. Getting other opinions soon.

lemons, any chance the doctors have checked trials at the NIH?

I will definitely check. His oncologist at JHH is also looking for trials he may be able to qualify for.

[Scout'sHonor]

Mar 31, 2015 16:20:38 GMT -5 lemons said:

Mar 31, 2015 15:07:49 GMT -5 Scout'sHonor said:

H came home while I was halfway through and wondered why I'd watch.  He also questioned my decision to watch The Fault in Our Stars awhile back.
and big hugs lemons, this shit sucks.

That's based on a lung cancer patient, right? I'd have to say that's in my never watching movie list.

Yes, thyroid to lung.

Mar 31, 2015 17:29:58 GMT -5 Jennyanydots said:

So pretty sure this is the special that my friend was in. She was my teammate and housemate in university and when we were 19 she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. She had her malignant mole removed, as well as a lymph node and didn't need any other treatment. 10 years later she discovered she had Stage 4 malignant melanoma - all throughout her body. She traveled to the NIH for experimental treatment and was followed by PBS for this special. Unfortunately her treatment did not work and she returned to Canada to pursue more traditional chemo.

She was diagnosed in Nov 2012 and died in Jan 2014. I haven't seen her sister mention this special in FB, so perhaps her family asked for her parts not be used or her stuff didn't make the final cut. I'll have to try to find a copy at some point.

I think she was on there, just not named. They were talking about immunotherapy and showed a younger woman with her parents. Very sorry to hear she passed.

[cville]

I'm so sorry lemons. I have you guys in my thoughts.