Medical after cancer

Chas,
I will not make any comments on your particular situation, the medical folks
have those answers.

But almost 9 years ago I started a fight with a particularly mean type of
cancer. After chemo, surgery, radiation and a metal implant to save my
femur from breaking at a later date, my orthopedic oncologist wrote a letter
to the FAA saying he could see no reason to keep me from flying. (this was
about 6 months after chemo/ 4 months after surgery/ 3 months after chemo/ 1
month after the metal implant). I ride a bicycle also, and my doc was
particularly adamant about the metal implant.

The right chemo was picked, my doc was fabulous with his knife, and the
radiation polished off the rest of the critters. Lots of CTs, MRIs, bone
scans etc. made the record stack way over max gross weight.

All medical records went to the FAA along with the doc's recommendation. In
a very short time....something like 6 weeks after my AME visit, I had a
"special issuance" 3rd class medical under FAR 67.401 signed by the FAA head
doc from OKC. It was only good for a short time (~5 months), but at the end
of that time, after the FAA saw I was getting checked every 3 months by my
doc, they issued a full year 3rd class medical.

I have to admit, dealing with the OKC FAA office was a breeze. I just had
to get all the paperwork and my oncologist doc's set of letters to the FAA.
After several special issuances from OKC, they came back with a letter
authorizing my normal AME to grant me another year extension after passing
the normal 3rd class physical. Sometimes my AME could hand me the paper,
sometimes it came from OKC, but in the past 8.5 years I was without a valid
3rd class for only a few days (usually because I did not get my act together
early enough and send in the required documentation to OKC about 2 months
before my medical expired). Of course, during initial diagnosis, chemo,
surgery and radiation my medical was invalid. But once my local docs wrote
the magic words, the FAA did its job. I'm still very impressed and
satisfied how the FAA handled my case. Yes, I believe the AOPA can help,
but I just called OKC and got all the details myself. They were very
accessible.

After 5 years, I got another letter from the FAA saying I was now eligible
for a standard two year medical and did not need a special issuance under
67.401. Last 2 medicals were standard, and I just keep giving them the
normal list of medical practitioner contacts like you have been doing at
your previous physicals.

If you desire, you may email me privately (removing the ".cutout" will get
you my valid address).

I wish you the best in your fight. I know that everyone here will be
pulling for you. You are among LOTS of friends.

Best Regards,
John Severyn

"Chas" wrote in message
. ..
Thanks for the cite. I hadn't gone to the FAR's yet. At first read it
appears that a) I'm grounded from my SEL activities and b) my pursuit of a
glider rating this spring may also be on hold although the wording in
61.53b is a lawyers delight.

Definitive thing is get cured and that is of course my focus.
Consideration of FAA view is however a welcome distraction.

Great post. I think that was what he was looking for.
"J. Severyn" wrote in message
. ..
Chas,
I will not make any comments on your particular situation, the medical
folks have those answers.

But almost 9 years ago I started a fight with a particularly mean type of
cancer. After chemo, surgery, radiation and a metal implant to save my
femur from breaking at a later date, my orthopedic oncologist wrote a
letter to the FAA saying he could see no reason to keep me from flying.
(this was about 6 months after chemo/ 4 months after surgery/ 3 months
after chemo/ 1 month after the metal implant). I ride a bicycle also, and
my doc was particularly adamant about the metal implant.

The right chemo was picked, my doc was fabulous with his knife, and the
radiation polished off the rest of the critters. Lots of CTs, MRIs, bone
scans etc. made the record stack way over max gross weight.

All medical records went to the FAA along with the doc's recommendation.
In a very short time....something like 6 weeks after my AME visit, I had a
"special issuance" 3rd class medical under FAR 67.401 signed by the FAA
head doc from OKC. It was only good for a short time (~5 months), but at
the end of that time, after the FAA saw I was getting checked every 3
months by my doc, they issued a full year 3rd class medical.

I have to admit, dealing with the OKC FAA office was a breeze. I just had
to get all the paperwork and my oncologist doc's set of letters to the
FAA. After several special issuances from OKC, they came back with a
letter authorizing my normal AME to grant me another year extension after
passing the normal 3rd class physical. Sometimes my AME could hand me the
paper, sometimes it came from OKC, but in the past 8.5 years I was without
a valid 3rd class for only a few days (usually because I did not get my
act together early enough and send in the required documentation to OKC
about 2 months before my medical expired). Of course, during initial
diagnosis, chemo, surgery and radiation my medical was invalid. But once
my local docs wrote the magic words, the FAA did its job. I'm still very
impressed and satisfied how the FAA handled my case. Yes, I believe the
AOPA can help, but I just called OKC and got all the details myself. They
were very accessible.

After 5 years, I got another letter from the FAA saying I was now eligible
for a standard two year medical and did not need a special issuance under
67.401. Last 2 medicals were standard, and I just keep giving them the
normal list of medical practitioner contacts like you have been doing at
your previous physicals.

If you desire, you may email me privately (removing the ".cutout" will get
you my valid address).

I wish you the best in your fight. I know that everyone here will be
pulling for you. You are among LOTS of friends.

Best Regards,
John Severyn

"Chas" wrote in message
. ..
Thanks for the cite. I hadn't gone to the FAR's yet. At first read it
appears that a) I'm grounded from my SEL activities and b) my pursuit of
a glider rating this spring may also be on hold although the wording in
61.53b is a lawyers delight.

Definitive thing is get cured and that is of course my focus.
Consideration of FAA view is however a welcome distraction.

On Feb 27, 1:11 am, "J. Severyn" wrote:
Chas,
I will not make any comments on your particular situation, the medical folks
have those answers.

But almost 9 years ago I started a fight with a particularly mean type of
cancer. After chemo, surgery, radiation and a metal implant to save my
femur from breaking at a later date, my orthopedic oncologist wrote a letter
to the FAA saying he could see no reason to keep me from flying. (this was
about 6 months after chemo/ 4 months after surgery/ 3 months after chemo/ 1
month after the metal implant).

John (and Jim) thanks for your detailed experiences. John, can I ask
what type of cancer? One thing that seems important to the FAA is
the type, and whether it's spread or not.

Here's a short example list for AOPA members:

http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/medi...cation/cancer/

It claims, for example, that with colon cancer it might only take six
months, whereas with some lung cancers, it could take five years.

Stay indication free!
Regards, Kev

Kev writes:

It claims, for example, that with colon cancer it might only take six
months, whereas with some lung cancers, it could take five years.

I still don't understand why they care. The risk of _sudden_ incapacitation
from metastases is virtually zero.

As if that weren't enough, one can imagine the impact on someone with
extremely advanced metastatic disease that is not likely to resolve when the
doctor says, "Oh, and for your last six months, you're not allowed to do what
you love the most."

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Kev,
Thanks for the best wishes....

Sure. It was a fairly rare cancer called MFH .. Malignant Fibrous
Histiocytoma. Only about 5000 cases in the US every year. Fortunately my
HMO had a doc that saw a relatively large number of cases of this junk and
specialized in its treatment. I was at the right place at the right time,
but had a bad cancer. That special doc is no longer at my HMO, but to his
credit, is now teaching at UCSF in San Francisco. I'm glad he is giving his
knowledge to the next generation of physicians.

After losing 50 pounds on the chemo, he said....."it is time to operate".
All went well. But I did lose a few extra pounds of flesh (tumor) on my
leg. The radiation killed half of my femur, but a set of interlocking
titanium-niobium rods supports it and I still ride a bicycle
today......although with much more care. And of course I have my standard
3rd class medical back.... and right now I'm taking a break from studying
for an Instrument Ground quiz we are having in class this evening.

Yes I was lucky.... no metatastic sites...or they were so small that the
chemo got them..and now that is fairly sure as I'm way down on the right
side of the re-occurrence bell curve. In my case it peaks at 18 months.

I just hope that Chas is fortunate to find a great medical team.... and
assuming he is listening... works with them....and asks lots of questions.
My doc kept me in on all the decisions. At one point he told me...."it is
50-50....what way do you want to go?" That gives you POWER.....It really
made me feel like I was taking hold of the horns of this monster and
winning..... Although at the time it was frightening. As a pilot, you can
understand the technical stuff. I even mapped radiation on the rest of my
body, by taping dosimeters under my Tshirt. (I had access to small
thermoluminescent dosimeters and a way of reading them). Funny... after my
last radiation treatment, the rad doc said, "Hey.....you know about this
stuff, you should have brought in some dosimeters. We would have let you
use them." I about choked.....because that is exactly what I had done. I
should have been more trusting and just asked. But the dose outside the
tumor area was just as he had predicted.... Those docs and techs really
know their high tech radiation machines. (thank you Varian and Siemens)

Chas..... we are so fortunate! Many of our illnesses would have been fatal
50 years ago. Today, the opposite is the norm. I hope your medical team
works as well as mine did. In any case, I for one, have you and Jim and all
folks who fight these battles in my thoughts every day.

Best Wishes,
John Severyn


"Kev" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 27, 1:11 am, "J. Severyn" wrote:
Chas,
I will not make any comments on your particular situation, the medical
folks
have those answers.

But almost 9 years ago I started a fight with a particularly mean type of
cancer. After chemo, surgery, radiation and a metal implant to save my
femur from breaking at a later date, my orthopedic oncologist wrote a
letter
to the FAA saying he could see no reason to keep me from flying. (this
was
about 6 months after chemo/ 4 months after surgery/ 3 months after chemo/
1
month after the metal implant).

John (and Jim) thanks for your detailed experiences. John, can I ask
what type of cancer? One thing that seems important to the FAA is
the type, and whether it's spread or not.

Here's a short example list for AOPA members:

http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/medi...cation/cancer/

It claims, for example, that with colon cancer it might only take six
months, whereas with some lung cancers, it could take five years.

Stay indication free!
Regards, Kev

John, Kev, and others,

Knowing you both navigated the tunnel and came out well is good reassuring
news indeed to me. Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes, and thanks to
others who responded with helpful info.

I have a great set of docs and a well known cancer center on my side. Its
still a scary thing. Mental attitude swings from the mostly coolly
analytical to occasional bouts of real fear.

It will work out. My prognosis is excellent at this point. The cancer,
while invasive shows no evidence of spread and was caught early. Second
opinion was sought from another well respected fellow and the opinions
received and likely treatment plans offerred were virtually identical to my
first doc.

Google has become my new best friend as I attempt to understand all I can
about the beast. Drinking from a fire hose comes to mind. None of this is
new to you I am sure. Lots of treatment topics options remain open pending
post-op path reports, so we wait for the next shoe to drop.

The FAA medical seems quite doable as well, thanks for sharing your
experiences there as well..


Thanks again, and good luck on the instrument training John.


"J. Severyn" wrote in message
. ..
Kev,
Thanks for the best wishes....

Sure. It was a fairly rare cancer called MFH .. Malignant Fibrous
Histiocytoma. Only about 5000 cases in the US every year. Fortunately my
HMO had a doc that saw a relatively large number of cases of this junk and
specialized in its treatment. I was at the right place at the right time,
but had a bad cancer. That special doc is no longer at my HMO, but to his
credit, is now teaching at UCSF in San Francisco. I'm glad he is giving
his knowledge to the next generation of physicians.

After losing 50 pounds on the chemo, he said....."it is time to operate".
All went well. But I did lose a few extra pounds of flesh (tumor) on my
leg. The radiation killed half of my femur, but a set of interlocking
titanium-niobium rods supports it and I still ride a bicycle
today......although with much more care. And of course I have my standard
3rd class medical back.... and right now I'm taking a break from studying
for an Instrument Ground quiz we are having in class this evening.

Yes I was lucky.... no metatastic sites...or they were so small that the
chemo got them..and now that is fairly sure as I'm way down on the right
side of the re-occurrence bell curve. In my case it peaks at 18 months.

I just hope that Chas is fortunate to find a great medical team.... and
assuming he is listening... works with them....and asks lots of questions.
My doc kept me in on all the decisions. At one point he told me...."it is
50-50....what way do you want to go?" That gives you POWER.....It really
made me feel like I was taking hold of the horns of this monster and
winning..... Although at the time it was frightening. As a pilot, you
can understand the technical stuff. I even mapped radiation on the rest
of my body, by taping dosimeters under my Tshirt. (I had access to small
thermoluminescent dosimeters and a way of reading them). Funny... after
my last radiation treatment, the rad doc said, "Hey.....you know about
this stuff, you should have brought in some dosimeters. We would have let
you use them." I about choked.....because that is exactly what I had
done. I should have been more trusting and just asked. But the dose
outside the tumor area was just as he had predicted.... Those docs and
techs really know their high tech radiation machines. (thank you Varian
and Siemens)

Chas..... we are so fortunate! Many of our illnesses would have been
fatal 50 years ago. Today, the opposite is the norm. I hope your medical
team works as well as mine did. In any case, I for one, have you and Jim
and all folks who fight these battles in my thoughts every day.

Best Wishes,
John Severyn


"Kev" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 27, 1:11 am, "J. Severyn" wrote:
Chas,
I will not make any comments on your particular situation, the medical
folks
have those answers.

But almost 9 years ago I started a fight with a particularly mean type
of
cancer. After chemo, surgery, radiation and a metal implant to save my
femur from breaking at a later date, my orthopedic oncologist wrote a
letter
to the FAA saying he could see no reason to keep me from flying. (this
was
about 6 months after chemo/ 4 months after surgery/ 3 months after
chemo/ 1
month after the metal implant).

John (and Jim) thanks for your detailed experiences. John, can I ask
what type of cancer? One thing that seems important to the FAA is
the type, and whether it's spread or not.

Here's a short example list for AOPA members:

http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/medi...cation/cancer/

It claims, for example, that with colon cancer it might only take six
months, whereas with some lung cancers, it could take five years.

Stay indication free!
Regards, Kev

On Feb 27, 8:40 pm, "Chas" wrote:
Knowing you both navigated the tunnel and came out well is good reassuring
news indeed to me. Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes, and thanks to
others who responded with helpful info.

Don't let stats scare you, is the main thing. At my stage, stats said
only a 1 in 5 chance of making it past a few years. Heck, I was only
given four months at first diagnosis. However, I intend to be on the
good side of the equations :-) I have to be, I've got a four year
old little girl, and that's the main reason I put up with so much.

I have a great set of docs and a well known cancer center on my side. Its
still a scary thing. Mental attitude swings from the mostly coolly
analytical to occasional bouts of real fear.

Understood fully. One good thing that happened because of this for
me, though, was that I finally took care of a lot of paperwork (will,
etc). While that should've been really depressing, in the end it
helped that I knew much was ready.

Google has become my new best friend as I attempt to understand all I can
about the beast. Drinking from a fire hose comes to mind.

Yes, you'll read a ton. Yet it's astonishing to me how little data
has been collated in a useful way. For example, why isn't there a
definitive set of data on what diet helps for each kind of
carcinoma? Etc.

I'm glad that hearing from other survivors helps. It really is
amazing how treatment results have progressed, even though much of it
is still Dark Ages stuff (poisons both chemical and radiological).

You'll be fine. Hang in there and thanks also from my side, for
making me work a little bit more towards getting back into the sky.
I'm still weak much of the time, but getting better too. It just
takes time.

Regards, Kev

"Chas" wrote in message
...
John, Kev, and others,

snip

Thanks again, and good luck on the instrument training John.


Thanks Chas for the luck from you.

I really feel that you are all ready grabbing the bull by the horns. I
really do keep you, Kev and James and many others in my thoughts. I wish
all of you the very, very best.

John Severyn