re: OT - Just found out my Mom has pancreatic cancer

Thank you all. It really means a lot to me. Before the news came, for the briefest of time all the world was right. It was just us again.

I'm riddled with guilt and fear because for the past year or so I've been dealing with the divorce and kind of alienated mom. I don't know how to make that better.

So sorry to hear that. I advise calling immediately and getting in at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, too. They're down in Newnan. It can take months before she gets in on an appointment, so being proactive is critical.

My MIL was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer back in 2010,and she got an effective 3 1/2 years of extra time with family thanks to a drug called Tarceva that specifically treats non-small cell lung and pancreatic cancer. I highly advise speaking to your mom's oncologist to find out if that's a good fit or if there's an even more effective drug in that class.

Also, see if there's a functional health doctor who can help. Since it's pancreatic, FH doctors can offer supplementary care for endocrine-related Systems, and it can sometimes kick traditional medicine's arse. Both my wife and I had some underlying health issues cleared up from treatment at Functional Health Institute of Atlanta, in Austell. I know that they treat somevcancer patients on an above-and-beyond traditional chemotherapy/radiation basis.

Mayo in Jax should be considered. Sorry to hear. That is a bad one typically.

Sorry to hear about this. My mom passed away from the same thing 5 years ago. Unfortunately, Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst because usually when you find out, it's to late to do anything. They gave my mother 6 months and it was almost to the day. All I can say is enjoy her good days as much as you can.

I have heard some people that live 2-3 years after being diagnosed. Let's hope and pray, your mom is one of those people.

Hate to hear it man. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

I'm sorry to hear about her cancer. I work in healthcare so I understand what you're going through. MD Anderson definitely the best in the business for oncology. Mayo, UCLA, John Hopkins are all excellent. Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa is also a great facility and I have known buddies who've trained there and really learned quite a bit. I will definitely pray for her.

Thanks to you all. I can't thank you enough

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How do you go about bypassing all in-state options (say you're in Georgia) to get your insurance to pay for MD Anderson?

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MD is a treatment "network" and they do have a affiliation and locations at Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta.

Obviously would depend on your particular plan in regards to out of state treatment and cost.

Time is of the essence.

Cancer Center has opened in Newnan which is about 35 south I-85 from Atlanta. Emory is the other option around here I'd consider.

My wife was diagnosed with Stage III Melanoma in 2011. She was only 32 at the time. We were told by Emory it would be three weeks before they could see us. Cancer Center wasn't open yet down here. UNACCEPTABLE as like I said time is of the essence and cancer cells had traveled to my wife's lymph nodes. Luckily my Father in Law works at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio so we made the choice to bug out of Atlanta and go to Cleveland for the treatment since they were literally able to see us 24 hours after Emory said 3 weeks.

Most of you you probably have never heard of the Clinic but it consistently places in the Top 5 for hospitals in the Nation and it placed #2 this year behind Mayo. I'm plugging them because they are world class and I'm convinced they saved my wife.

I know I'm rambling but swing for the fences. Call your insurance companies and see if some of these top hospitals are covered. If so, call the hospitals, and see how quickly you can be seen. Don't be afraid to pull up stakes and go "live" there for a while. We were there from Sept-Nov of 2011. We stayed with family. Some insurance can reimburse travel and lodging expenses though. The Cleveland Clinic has a hotel connected to the hospital just for these types of situations.

Also, get right with your mother. Tell her you are sorry for alienating her and that you love her. Trust me, she loves you too. Got to pull together and be united.