Liver resection?!

Options
luvmum
luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Dear all,

May I have some sharing about liver resection? I don't know if that would be good for my mum because she is already 70 years old and she is not as healthy as before (after the colon resection, 3 rounds of chemo). Besides, the oncologist doesn't think this is a good idea!

I've heard that liver resection is called 'major surgery', that means patient's risk are really high! When I told my mum, she might has a chance to have liver resection yesterday, her immediate respond was 'will I be able to come out from the operation theatre?' I'm so worried about her...

On one hand, I've noticed that liver resection will give her better chance to live for longer, on the other hand, I really worry that she might not be able to bear and stand such a big operation.

I know many of you have similar experience, I really need your advice and sharing.
Thank you so much!
Dora

Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #2
    Options
    Dora
    I want to help you but I have not had any experience with this surgery. Others will be able to help. I know this is a tough decision + it is important to have as many facts as possible.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Options
    AnneCan said:

    Dora
    I want to help you but I have not had any experience with this surgery. Others will be able to help. I know this is a tough decision + it is important to have as many facts as possible.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • JoyceSteele
    JoyceSteele Member Posts: 145
    #4
    Options
    Liver resection
    Dear Dora, I have not had a resection, but am scheduled for one in a week at Mayo Clinic. Fri. I met w/anesthesiologist and learned a great deal. They will do all kinds of normal pre-op tests, bloodwork, EKG, fasting sugar, chest x-rays, etc. I had to have MRI, CAT and PET scans and a colonoscpy too. After that they can determine if more specific tests are required, like stress test for the heart, etc. The surgery itself in terms of the "heart" is ranked low, intermediate or high risk. That has to do with the odds of having a cardiac event during or after surgery. I am an intermediate risk since I have high blood pressure and am on meds.. my blood pressure was picture perfect before Avastin. BUT Avastin also played a large part in my being able to have resections.

    My surgery as it stands now will not be open surgery, but laproscopic. Surgeon will confirm that this week when we go to meet with him once more. My understanding is that yes it is a big surgery but liver failure is what can be the issue, after. My surgeon is not comfortable resecting both lobes at the same time, he says it is borderline if there will be enough healthy liver left. So he is doing one lobe, waiting for liver to rejenerate, then will do the other.

    There are a number of people here who can tell you much more, much better than I. I have read their posts in preparation myself.

    There are many excellent articles on liver resections, but keep in mind that some of the statistics are old. It is becoming a more common surgery, just like open heart surgery once did. All my best wishes to you, you will be in my prayers. Let us know if you have more questions. Hugs, Joyce
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    #5
    Options
    May not help ...but
    My partner is 33yrs and had his Liver resection in March 2010, as far as the operation, it went OK, he was in ICU for 24hrs and then another 72 in HDU. Other than the cancer he was very fit and healthy but had only had 1 round of Chemo, as in 6 every 2 weeks before.
    There is normally always Chemo after, so is that a proposal for you mother? I note she has already had 3 and I have read on here that after 3 rounds the Liver is not a willing partner.

    It took my partner about 6 weeks to recover after, with lots ache, the operation lasted about 5 hours so be prepared.

    Regards
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #6
    Options
    AnneCan said:

    Dora
    I want to help you but I have not had any experience with this surgery. Others will be able to help. I know this is a tough decision + it is important to have as many facts as possible.

    Thank you Anne
    Dear Anne,

    Thank you so much for being supportive all the time.
    I wish you recover from you 'low mood' soon and you will hear a good result from the doctors soon!

    Take good care!
    Dora
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #7
    Options
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you graci for your concern!
    Hi Graci,

    Thank you so much for your concern. I have been extremely busy taking care of my mum and my husband in the last few weeks. I simply do not have time for myself and to come to this discussion board. I'm stressed enough to take care of my mum but my husband was acting like a baby, being so jealous that I only care about my mum. The moment, I get up in the morning, I have to get ready to go for a walk with my mum, then lunch with her, and second lunch with my husband, and rush back home to bath my mum and do some exercises with her (usually qigong), and then prepare dinner and have first dinner with mum, again second dinner with husband.

    The meeting with the liver surgeon this afternoon went well. He is very confident that this major surgery will have minimal risk and she will be fine (as long as she listens to the team and the physiotherapist after surgery). Besides, the colon surgeon believes, even if this big surgery will not get rid of all the cancer cells, this will definitely helps improving the prognosis. She said it's better to it earlier than later. Although I know the oncologist wouldn't agree with them, but, at least he will still be in the team and help my mum. She will have one more chemo (without Avastin) before her operation on 28th March. I think my mum is a tough old lady. Honestly before she was sick, she looks like 50s or the most 60s. Although I think she is weak, but the surgeon said her liver functions well and her blood tests were all good. I think 2 months of pain to trade for a better chance of 5 years survival is fair... I will continue to pray for her.

    My plan is get her to do more exercise in the following four weeks and make sure she put on extra 5kgs before liver resection. I have to admit that I'm scared to death, I bet my mum is the same. Ever since I told her she will have a liver resection, she didn't sleep well. But I don't know how to comfort her.

    Thank you so much for listening to my problems all the time!
    I wish all the best too!
    Dora
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #8
    Options
    JoyceSteele said:

    Liver resection
    Dear Dora, I have not had a resection, but am scheduled for one in a week at Mayo Clinic. Fri. I met w/anesthesiologist and learned a great deal. They will do all kinds of normal pre-op tests, bloodwork, EKG, fasting sugar, chest x-rays, etc. I had to have MRI, CAT and PET scans and a colonoscpy too. After that they can determine if more specific tests are required, like stress test for the heart, etc. The surgery itself in terms of the "heart" is ranked low, intermediate or high risk. That has to do with the odds of having a cardiac event during or after surgery. I am an intermediate risk since I have high blood pressure and am on meds.. my blood pressure was picture perfect before Avastin. BUT Avastin also played a large part in my being able to have resections.

    My surgery as it stands now will not be open surgery, but laproscopic. Surgeon will confirm that this week when we go to meet with him once more. My understanding is that yes it is a big surgery but liver failure is what can be the issue, after. My surgeon is not comfortable resecting both lobes at the same time, he says it is borderline if there will be enough healthy liver left. So he is doing one lobe, waiting for liver to rejenerate, then will do the other.

    There are a number of people here who can tell you much more, much better than I. I have read their posts in preparation myself.

    There are many excellent articles on liver resections, but keep in mind that some of the statistics are old. It is becoming a more common surgery, just like open heart surgery once did. All my best wishes to you, you will be in my prayers. Let us know if you have more questions. Hugs, Joyce

    I will pray for the success of your surgery!
    Dear Joyce,

    Thank you so much for your sharing. I wish I had read your post before my meeting with the surgeon. When he asked us if we have any question, my mind was completely went blank! I only asked if my mum needs another CT before surgery and he said now. He did an ultrasound with her today and said her liver looks good. He plan to cut 2/3 of her liver on 28th March. Since the involved area is so big, therefore, they will perform an open surgery. My mum also has some minor heart problem, therefore we have invited a cardiologist to join the operation.

    I'm still scared to death... I don't know how am I going to go through the 5 hours operation time. =(

    Thank you again for your support and I wish you all the best in your coming operation and speedy recovery.
    Take good care for now and I will pray for you for the success of your surgery and the smooth operation of the surgeons.
    Dora
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #9
    Options
    GaryinUK said:

    May not help ...but
    My partner is 33yrs and had his Liver resection in March 2010, as far as the operation, it went OK, he was in ICU for 24hrs and then another 72 in HDU. Other than the cancer he was very fit and healthy but had only had 1 round of Chemo, as in 6 every 2 weeks before.
    There is normally always Chemo after, so is that a proposal for you mother? I note she has already had 3 and I have read on here that after 3 rounds the Liver is not a willing partner.

    It took my partner about 6 weeks to recover after, with lots ache, the operation lasted about 5 hours so be prepared.

    Regards

    Thank you so much Gary
    Hi Gary,

    Thank you so much for your specific information. The liver surgeon believes my mum could survive this and the risk is minimal... I hope his estimation is correct. He already warned her to be prepared for a lot of pain, but he will arrange physiotherapist for her after operation and hope that will help to speed up the recovery.

    I really don't know how to comfort my mum so that she will not be so worried and scared. She could feel that I'm scared and I guess my emotion and feelings do affect her.

    I need to call the oncologist tomorrow or in 2 days time to talk to him about her future chemo plan, as he didn't expect we will go for a liver resection!

    Thanks again for your useful information and I wish your partner and yourself all the best!
    Dora
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #10
    Options
    Liver resection
    Dora:

    I had liver resection surgery last year June 11, 2010. It was far more serious that the original colon surgery. I was 47 at the time and it was physically taxing.

    I will say that all along I have been told that surgical removal of the tumors is the "Gold Standard" in care.

    I now have a HAI pump installed that did feed chemo directly to the liver. That seems to have worked and now it resides in my abdomen with an innate solution. I have is checked every couple months and someday it will be removed.

    Best of luck to your mother.

    Mike
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #11
    Options
    menright said:

    Liver resection
    Dora:

    I had liver resection surgery last year June 11, 2010. It was far more serious that the original colon surgery. I was 47 at the time and it was physically taxing.

    I will say that all along I have been told that surgical removal of the tumors is the "Gold Standard" in care.

    I now have a HAI pump installed that did feed chemo directly to the liver. That seems to have worked and now it resides in my abdomen with an innate solution. I have is checked every couple months and someday it will be removed.

    Best of luck to your mother.

    Mike

    Hi Mike,

    Thank you so much for your sharing. Honestly, I'm scared to death! I go for a walk with my mum every morning and when I see her walking happily in front of me, I will imagine she cannot go for a walk for a very long time after resection, my heart will be aching!

    How long does she has to wait till she doesn't feel the pain anymore? How long does she has to suffer? Are there anything I can do to ease her pain and reduce the level of suffers? Do I need to have prepare a new bed (bendable one like those in the hospitals) for her before she leaves hospital?

    I'm so sorry for my seems never-ending questions!
    Thanks again for your sharing!
    Best wishes to you,
    Dora
  • Vickilg
    Vickilg Member Posts: 281 Member
    #12
    Options
    luvmum said:

    Hi Mike,

    Thank you so much for your sharing. Honestly, I'm scared to death! I go for a walk with my mum every morning and when I see her walking happily in front of me, I will imagine she cannot go for a walk for a very long time after resection, my heart will be aching!

    How long does she has to wait till she doesn't feel the pain anymore? How long does she has to suffer? Are there anything I can do to ease her pain and reduce the level of suffers? Do I need to have prepare a new bed (bendable one like those in the hospitals) for her before she leaves hospital?

    I'm so sorry for my seems never-ending questions!
    Thanks again for your sharing!
    Best wishes to you,
    Dora

    Serious but Feasible
    Hi there... I had my liver resection 6 weeks ago today. I am much younger than your mom so obviously take that into consideration but mine was not bad at all. I am 43 but I must share that I was off the pain medication in just a few days. I was up walking the day after surgery (the hospital really encourages this). I did have the achiness one feels after surgery but no back aches or anything I thought I would have. With all surgery it takes a few weeks to recover completely. For me, if I had not known they operated on my liver I would not have known - that is how little I felt. I hope they can do it larposcopic. May God bless you both. Big hug!
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #13
    Options
    Neighbor's mom
    Dora,

    Our neighbor's mom had a liver resection last year after a couple of chemo rounds. She was 80 when she had the surgery and she did great. Her liver is still clear.

    Amy
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #14
    Options
    Neighbor's mom
    Double post
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #15
    Options
    mom_2_3 said:

    Neighbor's mom
    Double post

    The liver surgeon should be
    The liver surgeon should be able to talk to you about the risks. I had a resection and yes it is a risky surgery, and you did need assistance to get through the recovery period.

    My Mom is 80 and right now I would vote for her to have a resection. However, since I don't know how weak she would be, I would have to rely on the surgeon.
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #16
    Options
    Vickilg said:

    Serious but Feasible
    Hi there... I had my liver resection 6 weeks ago today. I am much younger than your mom so obviously take that into consideration but mine was not bad at all. I am 43 but I must share that I was off the pain medication in just a few days. I was up walking the day after surgery (the hospital really encourages this). I did have the achiness one feels after surgery but no back aches or anything I thought I would have. With all surgery it takes a few weeks to recover completely. For me, if I had not known they operated on my liver I would not have known - that is how little I felt. I hope they can do it larposcopic. May God bless you both. Big hug!

    Thanks a lot Vicki!
    Hi Vicki,

    Oh a big thank to your positive respond. I have been searching from the internet about pre-and post liver resection preparations and the more I read, the more I worry! Your sharing gives me hope and light! My mum is going to have an open surgery... I hope she will not have to experience too much pain from it.

    Thanks a lot again and I hope you will have a clear liver scan forever!!!!
    With all my best wishes to you!
    Dora (Big hugs)

    p.s. from your profile picture, you don't look like you are 43!!!! you look very young on the photo!
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #17
    Options
    mom_2_3 said:

    Neighbor's mom
    Dora,

    Our neighbor's mom had a liver resection last year after a couple of chemo rounds. She was 80 when she had the surgery and she did great. Her liver is still clear.

    Amy

    WOW!
    Dear Amy,

    This is a very encouraging case to support my decision!!!! Thank you so so much!!!!!

    Best wishes to you!!!
    Dora
  • luvmum
    luvmum Member Posts: 457 Member
    #18
    Options
    Nana b said:

    The liver surgeon should be
    The liver surgeon should be able to talk to you about the risks. I had a resection and yes it is a risky surgery, and you did need assistance to get through the recovery period.

    My Mom is 80 and right now I would vote for her to have a resection. However, since I don't know how weak she would be, I would have to rely on the surgeon.

    Thanks a lot!!!
    Dear Nana,

    Thank you so much for your positive support! The liver surgeon actually told us that the risk is small, but then there is still a risk. My mum was very healthy before she was diagnosed. Even when she had the colon resection on 29 Oct 2010, her recovery was fast and good. After three rounds of chemo, her physical health is obviously not as good as before. She used to swim for an hour without any problem, now she can only go for a mild walk with me for about 40 minutes and does a little bit of qigong.

    Could give me some advice about what to prepare before and after the surgery? Can she eat after liver resection?

    I really appreciate your sharing and I wish you all the best in your recovery!
    Best wishes,
    Dora
  • Tom M.
    Tom M. Member Posts: 223 Member
    #19
    Options
    Laparoscopic liver resection

    Hi, I am looking for information on this type of surgery. In February of this year I was diagnosed with colon cancer with mets to liver. March had colon resection which went well and then 12 cycles of folfox 7 with avastin. I am now on fu5 and lovorion. I know the spelling is wrong. I am scheduled to have my surgery 7 January. Btw chemo went very well for me. My cea has been steady at 1.8. Any experienced information would be helpful.     Thanks,  Tom

Discussion Boards