Cancer

M

MikeLima

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MikeLima
Asking for a friend of mine who got me interested in flying a few months ago.... I'm now at 10 hours and he wants to get started but needs the scoop on where he stands.

He is in remission for lymphoma. Last chemo and stem cell transplant was last April. Currently taking only an anti viral medicine and lorazapam to sleep better. Can he get past the medical now? If not now, can he in the near future? What hurdles is he looking at? Is this way too big a question to ask here?

Thank you in advance for your help.

ML
 
This is one of those cases where doing a consult with the AME in advance of a live exam can be worth the cost of the office visit.


1) If he is with the right AME**, then your friend will get the correct information that the medical can be obtained or not.

2) Again, with the right AME**, your friend can be counseled and coached on how to build up his submission packet so that it is accepted and approved the first round, with nothing missing and no delays because of an insufficient submission.

Drs Lou and Bruce can provide more details of what to expect when applying for this special issuance. And working with one of them directly can help your friend get this done right the first time.


**Definition of a the Right AME:

  • Is a pilot himself
  • Isn't an AME just because it sounds cool to have the additional accreditation on his shingle.
  • Is a Senior AME (with a closet full of BTDT T-shirts) who will be a true advocate for his airmen.
  • Has the OKC Offices on speed dial
  • Knows the all of the Senior examiners (the 5 or 6 big swinging Docs) by first name.
  • Prefers to take charge and issue the more challenging certificates "in office" rather than defer and let someone else "deal with it".
  • Is not afraid to use said speed dial to reach out to said senior examiner and obtain permission to complete the said "in office" issuance.

Note: The last one is no longer available for applicants of third class medicals. But if you are applying for second, or first class, you definitely want the AME who has the respect of OKC to ask for permission to issue in office.
 
Thank you, Flying Ron.

I read that and think it means that the required paper work must be submitted to FAA for a special issuance... I guess what I'm after here is whether or not anybody had an idea what the specific things that are needed to be shown: for instance, certain hard and fast rules about time since chemo, time since last cancer free screening, etc. If that info was in the material you provided the link for, I apologize for not seeing it.


Thanks for the heads up on the drug... I figured that was gonna be a bad one and didn't know he was taking it until I got a text from him while I was typing the question.

I know he needs to go see a doc for a consultation and I have told him as much, however, any information that can give him hope or a plan would be helpful.
 
Unregistered said:
Thank you, Flying Ron.

I read that and think it means that the required paper work must be submitted to FAA for a special issuance... I guess what I'm after here is whether or not anybody had an idea what the specific things that are needed to be shown: for instance, certain hard and fast rules about time since chemo, time since last cancer free screening, etc. If that info was in the material you provided the link for, I apologize for not seeing it.


Thanks for the heads up on the drug... I figured that was gonna be a bad one and didn't know he was taking it until I got a text from him while I was typing the question.

I know he needs to go see a doc for a consultation and I have told him as much, however, any information that can give him hope or a plan would be helpful.
Click to expand...

The AOPA pilot information center (medical division) can help with some of that from a general perspective.

But for the straight skinny, working directly with a Senior AME, such as Bruce or Lou, who have done several of these successfully, will yield the best result.
 
Mike:

Thank you. I will have home read your post. Thanks for the help.

By the way, I had recently posted on a separate issue and you advised me to look into alternatives to showing up at the exam and seeing if I could pass a color vision test. I took your advice and completed the eye test at an eye doctor's office. Three tests later in bright day light and I have been found to be of sound color vision. Thank you for the help. I do appreciate it.

ML
 
Good on ya! Insert the old GI Joe "....and knowing is half the battle" tag line.

Many of those tests are designed for daylight conditions and not office fluorescent of incandescent lighting. (google "color temperatures" some time).
 
frfly172 said:
Cancer sucks.
Click to expand...
INDEED!

Good advice from all in this thread. Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine is verboten! This SI should be straightforward ... but i would not be surprised if the FAA asked for PnP (psychiatry and neuro-psychology) evals too as airman to be has had chemo-therapy.

I usually to not send a folder full of anticipated documents at the exam. I forward my rec for issuance of SI with positive key words in the history and physical. The FAA's response will indicate exactly what they want. Supply all of that in one mailing.
 
Transient benzo use for a definite purpose (like during chemo or some acute distress) isn't going to be a problem once he's off it. I doubt they will require a PPP workup if he stops it now he's not doing the chemo.
 
Certification of a transplant:

Intial flow cytometry or biopsy report.
Records sufficient (e.g, transplant discharge note) to establish the course ot treatement.
Current status letter from oncologist declaring the person disease free, also that there is no graft vs host disease.
If any immunosuppressives present, that they are the ones that are approved and he is not having side effects.
The scientific evidence and declaration that the candidate is disease free.

And in this case description of for what the benzo was given, that he is off >90 days and that he has no further need of Rx (by the prescriber is okay if exposure is < 1 year, by a psychiatrist if ? 1 year).

see this:
 
Does he remain on an SI forever? Or is there a chance to return to normal if sufficient number of years disease free?
 
AggieMike88 said:
Does he remain on an SI forever? Or is there a chance to return to normal if sufficient number of years disease free?
Click to expand...

good question ... i am not sure. 5 years is the longest i have seen. I have not personally assisted in a SI for a lymphoma.
 
I was treated for lymphoma and achieved remission. The SI, I received, was for 7 years with yearly status reports from my Oncologist. Nothing was required of me after the 7 SI expired, as long as I stay in remission.

Best of luck to your friend.
 
Like Whiskey Romeo, I, too, was treated for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I managed to get a SI by doing a lot of paperwork legwork myself and using a run-of-the-mill AME, so to speak. I believe (my memory isn't as good as it used to be) before the term of the initial SI was up they sent me a new medical stating that I no longer needed to go through the SI process as long as no change. That was a nice surprise.

If you happen to be a member of AOPA, here's my original thread where Dr. Chien provided very sound advice:

http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=37272
 
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