Need some info

donnare

History
Huband dx with Stage IV colon with over 11 mets to liver in May 09
Colon resection June 09, followed by Folfox. Regimen changed to Folfiri with Cetuximab - has been on chemo for the past 18 mos. Has 3 blood clots in port area and gives himself Lovenox shots twice daily.

I have not posted for a long while and would appreciate some info. I am currently sitting and waiting for my husband's PET scan to finish. The last CT scan showed enough shrinkage that the surgeon is willing to possibly take him back to OR to remove lesions on liver, and ablate others, depending upon results of PET scan.

I have some questions about what is involved in a liver resection, and RFA. What kind of recovery are we looking at; what are risks; anyone not have to receive chemo afterwards or is continuing with chemo normal procedure; he currently works full time as a Systems Engineer, will he be able to return to work? Anything else I should worry about?

Any info would be appreciated. We have really gotten our hopes up and I am trying to prepare myself.

Thanks,
Donna

geotina

Hi Donna:
Very recently, two of our members returned to work after succesful liver resection. I you put "liver resection" in the search you can scroll down to the most recent posts.

I'm sure others will be on to tell you their experiences.

Take care - Tina

herdizziness

Hello Donna
I just had a liver resection December 20th, but I also had a bit of colon removal and then
a bit of ureter removal, so my recovery time is probably longer then the normal liver resection. It's been 3 weeks since my surgery and I'm doing dishes, mopping floors, walking around the block, getting ready to do the laundry in a few minutes. So I'm assuming that the liver resection alone, probably has a shorter recovery time, but as I said, mine was a little more complicated surgery so I'm not sure.
I also will resume chemo to make sure that any stray cells are taken care of. I will be starting Avastin and Xeloda. I won't be doing the Avastin until 6 weeks after the surgery, as it slows the recovery of the body (my stomach is still scabbing etc., from the surgical opening ((they took the stitches out too soon, damn it)).
With the liver resection the biggest risk they talk about is severe bleeding,the best thing is that they are aware of this possibility, they will put a large IV needle in his neck in case that happens then the blood can be transfused quickly while they take care of the problem, this is rare, but a possibility that they will warn you about, and prepare for. Again, experts are doing the surgery and have done it many times, but they like to bring up what may happen, in 99 percent of the cases this doesn't happen, and as I said, if it does, they are prepared to correct it.
He'll be fine, it will be okay, these surgeries are done every day and successfully.
Winter Marie

Sundanceh

Donna: It's Been too Long:)
Hi ya', Donna

How nice to see you again:)

I did RFA on the liver because the resection fell through - most of the tumor was burnt ou and we did CyberKnife to clear the remnants of that tumor - it was a success in the fact that we locally cleared the area.

Chemo followed this and I did miss the Infusion Day and about 2 other days due to sickness from the treatment...otherwise I limped through it. He might not be as sharp as he is right now if he gets back into treatment - might not move as fast or efficiently - or he might depending on him.

It's OK if he falters during treatment - very few of us are that strong to be taking the really heavy stuff and not missing a couple of days on each infusion cycle.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you again after all this time...I was going back through some stuff the other day and saw one of your posts back to me - and it brought my mind back to those early days, good memories.

Well, you take care - hope this info can be of some value to you - say hi to your husband and I look forward to seeing you around from time to time:)

-Craig

pepebcn

Sundanceh said:

Donna: It's Been too Long:)
Hi ya', Donna

How nice to see you again:)

I did RFA on the liver because the resection fell through - most of the tumor was burnt ou and we did CyberKnife to clear the remnants of that tumor - it was a success in the fact that we locally cleared the area.

Chemo followed this and I did miss the Infusion Day and about 2 other days due to sickness from the treatment...otherwise I limped through it. He might not be as sharp as he is right now if he gets back into treatment - might not move as fast or efficiently - or he might depending on him.

It's OK if he falters during treatment - very few of us are that strong to be taking the really heavy stuff and not missing a couple of days on each infusion cycle.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you again after all this time...I was going back through some stuff the other day and saw one of your posts back to me - and it brought my mind back to those early days, good memories.

Well, you take care - hope this info can be of some value to you - say hi to your husband and I look forward to seeing you around from time to time:)

-Craig

Donna liver resection not easy but nearly 100% of survival
on surgery, not a problem, you feel tired mainly but in my case no pain!.One month you are able to do many of the normal things!
in 3 months fully recuperated!
that was my case!

donnare

pepebcn said:

Donna liver resection not easy but nearly 100% of survival
on surgery, not a problem, you feel tired mainly but in my case no pain!.One month you are able to do many of the normal things!
in 3 months fully recuperated!
that was my case!

Thanks all for the info
And hello Craig ... wonderful to talk to you again. It has been quite a while. We enjoyed your CD again this Christmas. ... Hope you are well. Brian is now on Folfiri with Cetuximab - the Folfox stopped working. We go to Fox Chase every week now instead of every other week, but it looks like he is having a good response. Good enough for the surgeon to take a look. PET scan today, so the long wait 'til next Wednesdays appt. with the surgeon begins.

Thanks everyone for the info -- he is on Lovenox, a blood thinner, for clots around his port, so the risk of severe bleeding is a little scary. (cause the rest of this 20 mos ride hasn't been - LOL) Silly question, but here goes - would the blood thinner compromise his chances of being able to have the surgery?

What a roller coaster this is --- I hate cancer! You get to your "new normal", and adjust, and then you have to start the whole mental process all over again, and it gets a little scarier each time.

Thanks! Wish you health!
Donna

mom_2_3

Donna
Hi Donna,

I had a liver resection in February 2009 to remove 5 bilobar mets of which the largest was 5 cm prior to any chemo. Concurrently, I had a colon resection, my gallbladder removed as well as an HAI pump implanted. I was in hospital from Friday morning (my surgery lasted for about 9-10 hours I think) until the following Saturday morning. During the surgery I had about 40% of my liver removed. They removed the entire left lobe and did 3 wedge resections in the right and right in the middle.

I felt very tired initially as well as had incisional pain. Percoset managed the pain and time restored my energy. I felt great at 6 weeks from surgery.

Whether he returns to work is up to your husband but I didn't feel up to it during my chemo. After liver resection I had an additional 7 months of systemic as well as HAI chemo.

I am hoping for good news from your surgical consult next week. I hope you will keep us posted.

Amy