Gallbadder damage due to Microwave ablation and Y90

Joan M
Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I have been suffering from gallbladder problems since August of 2017.  The surgeons were unable to remove my gallbladder due to scar tissue that had developed all around my gallbladder.  A test in October showed that the cystic duct was blocked. My CT scans showed fluid in my gallbladder and doctors were concerned it could rupture and kill me, or that it would become infected because it couldn't drain.

In February 2018 I was referred to a specialist at Mayo clinic who performs a proceudre called ECRP, where he places stents in through the cystic duct to reopen the channel so it can drain. He has to insert the stents in 2 separate procedures.  I had the first stent place on March 9th and will have the 2nd procedure on March 29th.  He said that the Y90 theraspheres and the microwave ablation caused this damage to my gallbladder.  

If you have any questions, you can send me a private message.  

Joan 

Comments

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
    edited March 2018 #2
    Maddening that a thing they

    Maddening that a thing they can normally snip right out becomes a big issue from scarring and tissue weakness. I'm hoping for the best outcome after the next procedure...............................................Dave

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777
    #3
    Hopefully you can put the

    Hopefully you can put the pain behind you after the second procedure. They're messing around with stuff in a tight space. Did the first procedure improve things?

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    #4
    Mikenh said:

    Hopefully you can put the

    Hopefully you can put the pain behind you after the second procedure. They're messing around with stuff in a tight space. Did the first procedure improve things?

    Mike,

    The first procedure has helped.  It took a couple weeks to get the relief, but finally I'm not in constant pain from the gallbladder.  The second procedure is scheduled for Thursday, and hopefully it will allow my gallbladder to drain more efficiently so I can eat a normal diet.  I've been on a restricted diet not supposed to have more than 8 grams of fat  and also lower protein than normal diet allows.  I have lost weight, including muscle mass and feel pretty weak.  I've lost almost 20 pounds since the beginning of February.  I was overweight so glad to drop a few, but it was a bit scary losing it so fast. 

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    #5
    beaumontdave said:

    Maddening that a thing they

    Maddening that a thing they can normally snip right out becomes a big issue from scarring and tissue weakness. I'm hoping for the best outcome after the next procedure...............................................Dave

    Thanks, Dave,

    I totally agree with you!  I was really happy to find this specialist.  I wish I'd been referred to him in October when they found out the cystic duct was blocked.  It would have saved me several months of pain, and allowed me to get back to addressing the cancer.  Surprisingling, my cancer hasn't grown much even though I was off chemo from August  2017 to January 2018.  My CEA is only 3.5.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #6
    Surgery

    Sorry about missing this post initially, but I'm wishing you the best possible outcome for surgery tomorrow.  Please let us know how everything went.  Hope that having this done will help tremendously and will give you complete relief.  Again, wishing you the best and will await a post from you after your surgery.

    Kim

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    edited March 2018 #7
    Sending you positive thoughts

    Sending you positive thoughts and prayers for a successful second procedure and complete relief from the pain!

    Love and Light to you!

    Phil

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777
    #8
    Joan M said:

    Mike,

    The first procedure has helped.  It took a couple weeks to get the relief, but finally I'm not in constant pain from the gallbladder.  The second procedure is scheduled for Thursday, and hopefully it will allow my gallbladder to drain more efficiently so I can eat a normal diet.  I've been on a restricted diet not supposed to have more than 8 grams of fat  and also lower protein than normal diet allows.  I have lost weight, including muscle mass and feel pretty weak.  I've lost almost 20 pounds since the beginning of February.  I was overweight so glad to drop a few, but it was a bit scary losing it so fast. 

    Sounds like you'd have to be

    Sounds like you'd have to be on a high-carb diet. Losing weight via injury or disease is not fun as it takes considerable effort to get that muscle mass back. But I guess it can be an overall good thing if you're overweight. I hope the procedure today goes well and that you regain full function on the other side.

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