Gallbladder Cancer - 2012 (Any Stage)
Comments
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Rocky.........how are you doing?lirok said:Rocky.........how are you doing?
Hey Charmi, your timing is impeccable. I have been in Florida the last few weeks and just returned home to NY on Sunday. My doctor took me off my chemo for a month to let my body heal a bit. I have been having severe side effects and trouble getting around. I had a great vacation and upon my return I went to Sloane on Tuesday for a set of scans. I have been showing signs of jaundice and my billirubin count has gone up alot in the last month. They feel that my stents in my liver are blocked and need to be replaced. This is causing the jaundice and abnormal test results.
The good news is that my CA-9 Antigen count came back down to 60 from 75. Also, my doctor told me on the phone that my scans looked good. She knew I was worrying and wanted me to know before Friday (tomorrow) when I go back to see her. I am more concerned obviously about the cancer than the billirubin. I have the stents now well over a year and everyone has told me that it is time for them to be swapped out.
Anyway, I am doing fine and hope that you and Mom are doing great. Great to hear the good reports on Mom. It just proves the point that this disease is not necessarily a death warrant. You just need to stay positive and get good treatment. Faith and prayer also come in handy.
Best wishes to all on this board for continued health and improvement with your situations.
Rocky
Just to add to the above. I just returned from my oncologist and was told my cancer is UNDER CONTROL. No additional chemo is scheduled at this time. All of my markers were excellent. Antigen down to 60 from 80 and this all was after 6 weeks of NO TREATMENT. Its the best news I have had since my initial diagnosis. Naturally they will scan me regularly to keep an eye on things. I also have to go in and have my stents cleared out as I am showing signs of jaundice. These were placed in almost 16 months ago so they have done their job well.
My next doctors visit is in September. That will be almost 3 months without any treatments. I could not be happier.
Keep fighting,
Rocky0 -
Good News; Whoo hoo Rocky!lirok said:Rocky.........how are you doing?
Just to add to the above. I just returned from my oncologist and was told my cancer is UNDER CONTROL. No additional chemo is scheduled at this time. All of my markers were excellent. Antigen down to 60 from 80 and this all was after 6 weeks of NO TREATMENT. Its the best news I have had since my initial diagnosis. Naturally they will scan me regularly to keep an eye on things. I also have to go in and have my stents cleared out as I am showing signs of jaundice. These were placed in almost 16 months ago so they have done their job well.
My next doctors visit is in September. That will be almost 3 months without any treatments. I could not be happier.
Keep fighting,
Rocky
That is great news to hear. Not only did you get away for R & R, but you return home with fantastic news. Enjoy not having chemo! I hope your energy builds back up soon so you can enjoy the summer and visualize any cancer cells shriveling up to nothing! I am so happy for you. Jean0 -
YEAH, ROCKY!!!!lirok said:Rocky.........how are you doing?
Just to add to the above. I just returned from my oncologist and was told my cancer is UNDER CONTROL. No additional chemo is scheduled at this time. All of my markers were excellent. Antigen down to 60 from 80 and this all was after 6 weeks of NO TREATMENT. Its the best news I have had since my initial diagnosis. Naturally they will scan me regularly to keep an eye on things. I also have to go in and have my stents cleared out as I am showing signs of jaundice. These were placed in almost 16 months ago so they have done their job well.
My next doctors visit is in September. That will be almost 3 months without any treatments. I could not be happier.
Keep fighting,
Rocky
I am beyond thrilled to read this news, Rocky! I am so happy for you and your family!
I remember many months ago on another board when you said that you and Mom were going to beat this thing. You were absolutely right! I believed it then and I continue to believe it now. (((Rocky)))
Of course, thoughts and prayers continue.
And...YEAH!!!!!!!!!!
Charmi0 -
Hi Rohitroh_gupta82 said:Gall Bladder Cancer
Hi Lily,
I have just joined this forum and read your words. Before I ask anything, I would like to introduce myself. I am Rohit and living in Australia.My mother has recently been diagnosed with Gall Bladder Cancer (advance stage) with liver metastasis. Doctors have told that she can not be cured and also her first chemotherapy went very bad so we decided not to go further. She recently gained weight and her blood count also increased from 10 to 11.4 and weight increased by 1.5 Kg.
She is currently on an alternative treatment called - Nutrient Energy Therapy. it's web address is - http://www.cancercurative.org/2011/our_centres.html
She was recovering very well, getting more energy level and active but yesterday she suddenly got gastric problem that led to low appetite. I wonder whether gastric problem is also a symptom of this cancer or it could just a normal gastric problem. Also, you area an example of this specific cancer who survived so far, could you please suggets me something you tried so that I can help my mother as well.
Regards
Roh.
I am Anil from Andhra Pradesh, My father was diagnosed in March 2012 with iv stage GB cancer, he completed his 6th chemo cycle couple of days ago. His first 2 cycles were pretty rough but after that he did quite well. We had CT scans after 3 months and there was a 60% shrinkage in cancer cells. They raised his chemo medication since then, he is scheduled for another PET scan Aug 13th. Oncologist told me that he is still not a candidate for surgery. I am really interested in the Ayurvedic medicine your mother is taking, I would like to try them for my dad as well. Can you email me your contact details at a_prabhat@yahoo.com, I want to get an understanding of whether my father can be a suitable candidate.0 -
Help with treatment decision
Have just been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after a CT scan as a follow up to Non Hodgkins Lymphoma remission (2nd occurance after 14 years). Have had gallbladder removed but it has gone through the wall and after hearing my options with local surgeons & treatment, I have opted to contact/seek an appointment with M.D. Anderson's in Houston. Am awaiting word of whether they will accept me. Is there ANY cancer center that has a great history of treatment? Am at a loss right now of where to go. As far as I know, right now, it hasn't spread but still am aware of the survival stats.
Any heads up would be so appreciated!
Dixie0 -
First of all, you are notDixiedoddin said:Help with treatment decision
Have just been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after a CT scan as a follow up to Non Hodgkins Lymphoma remission (2nd occurance after 14 years). Have had gallbladder removed but it has gone through the wall and after hearing my options with local surgeons & treatment, I have opted to contact/seek an appointment with M.D. Anderson's in Houston. Am awaiting word of whether they will accept me. Is there ANY cancer center that has a great history of treatment? Am at a loss right now of where to go. As far as I know, right now, it hasn't spread but still am aware of the survival stats.
Any heads up would be so appreciated!
Dixie
First of all, you are not alone, we know what you are going through! Don't worry about the statistics, you are not a number.
secondly my family and I also wanted to seek the best place with the most experience treating gallbladder cancer, but that place doesn't really exist since gallbladder cancer is so rare. we decided as a family to have treatment locally for my mother, our local oncologist consulted with a Dr. from Sloan ketting in NYC (because we were told that was the best place) we found that treatment is pretty much the same where ever you go, for my mothers stage of cancer Stage 2 or T2N0M0, which sounds like what you have. But Go and seak another opinion, so you don't have regrets! I am interested to hear what MD Anderson has to say. Happy you found this site, it has been a blessing for me and my family.
--God bless you on your journey to finding the right treatment and care! --Hillary0 -
Perforated Bowel - not home yethillaryjoRN said:First of all, you are not
First of all, you are not alone, we know what you are going through! Don't worry about the statistics, you are not a number.
secondly my family and I also wanted to seek the best place with the most experience treating gallbladder cancer, but that place doesn't really exist since gallbladder cancer is so rare. we decided as a family to have treatment locally for my mother, our local oncologist consulted with a Dr. from Sloan ketting in NYC (because we were told that was the best place) we found that treatment is pretty much the same where ever you go, for my mothers stage of cancer Stage 2 or T2N0M0, which sounds like what you have. But Go and seak another opinion, so you don't have regrets! I am interested to hear what MD Anderson has to say. Happy you found this site, it has been a blessing for me and my family.
--God bless you on your journey to finding the right treatment and care! --Hillary
HI all: I have gallbladder cancer (diagnosed 3 years ago) and have been
having chemo treatments called folfirinox (used for colon cancer and pancreatic
cancer) which seems to have worked for the spread to the peritoneum and
liver. But the side effects are nasty! I ended up in the hospital May 28
and got out a few days ago - that is 3 months! I had a perforated bowel
followed by septicemia and ended up on life support for 2 weeks from
which I woke up paralyzed from the nose down. I can now walk with a walker
and move most of my other "bits". Not sure I want to try chemo again!
Cheryl0 -
Hang in there......westie66 said:Perforated Bowel - not home yet
HI all: I have gallbladder cancer (diagnosed 3 years ago) and have been
having chemo treatments called folfirinox (used for colon cancer and pancreatic
cancer) which seems to have worked for the spread to the peritoneum and
liver. But the side effects are nasty! I ended up in the hospital May 28
and got out a few days ago - that is 3 months! I had a perforated bowel
followed by septicemia and ended up on life support for 2 weeks from
which I woke up paralyzed from the nose down. I can now walk with a walker
and move most of my other "bits". Not sure I want to try chemo again!
Cheryl
Yicks, Cheryl. I have been worried about you. Have not heard from you in awhile. I wondered if you had been in the hospital, and of course, I would not know! I am so sorry you had that complication. I am glad you are up and moving! It takes a while to get your strength back. Keep pushing! Ouch... 3 months is a long time. I am sending you healing thoughts and prayers. Keep strong and determined! Jean0 -
Almost HomeJean160 said:Hang in there......
Yicks, Cheryl. I have been worried about you. Have not heard from you in awhile. I wondered if you had been in the hospital, and of course, I would not know! I am so sorry you had that complication. I am glad you are up and moving! It takes a while to get your strength back. Keep pushing! Ouch... 3 months is a long time. I am sending you healing thoughts and prayers. Keep strong and determined! Jean
Thanks, Jean, I appreciate your thoughts. I am getting good physio here so
am doing better than expected. Didn't realize how hard it was to learn the things
I took for granted before like walking!
Cheryl0 -
Help Coping with my Mom's Diagnosis
Hi everyone! I'm so happy to have found this discussion board as you all have such positive stories to share which give me hope and faith that my mom will recover.
My name is Jenny and my mom was diagnosed with Gallbladder Cancer July of 2011. She is 58 years old and we live in Massachusetts. She had gone to the ER to have her gallbladder removed in June 2011 and they found a tumor growing inside it that was cancerous. They decided right away to have the surgery to remove part of the liver and the surrounding lymph nodes. At that point they didn't find any signs that it had spread beyond the gallbladder but they decided to treat her with a round of gemcitabin and radiation, did a CT scan after the treatment was done around January 2012 and found nothing, we were so happy. Then in June 2012 another CT scan was done and that's when the devastating news came, a small tumor was found in the liver and that it had spread to the abdominal lining.
We haven't had any history of cancer in my family so this has just been so hard for me and my family, especially my dad who is so stressed and worried. She's so young and healthy too. Yesterday she started chemo again, a mix of Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, and 5-FU. Is anyone here familiar with that cocktail? Has it proven to work? I trust my mom's doctors and know that she's in the best care possible. She has 1 week on and 1 week off for 4 cycles, then they're doing another CT scan to see if the tumors have shrunk. I'm just so worried and was hoping there may be someone out there who has gone through a similar situation. I know it's going to be a long road and I'm trying to remain positive and supportive, but it's just so shocking. They haven't really given us a prognosis either, which I guess is a good thing.
I hope and pray every day that the tumors will shrink and she'll be able to maintain a good quality of life!
Jenny0 -
Update, it's been a while!
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to give you all an update and let you know my dad is still fighting. He was diagnosed in January of 2012 with stage 4 gallbladder cancer. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride.
He was originally approved for resecting and then they decided in was inoperable. Due to increased fluid build up in his gallbladder they decided to FINALLY remove that in June. When they went in there, they found that the tube they had inserted to reduce fluid in gallbladder, had punctured his bowel so they had to remove 3 inches. In otherwords a somewhat minor surgery turned into a huge one with an 11 inch incision and a lengthy recovery.
He finally gained the weight back and his port was put in and now 2 weeks later he has a painful bulge in his right upper abdomen. He thinks it's a hernia, and I can't help but hope that's what it is. Who new you would ever wish for hernia? Has anyone else experienced this? He leaves for the cancer center again Tuesday so he's too afraid to go to any doctors here which could cause a delay on chemo if they admit him.0 -
Good luck with your recoverywestie66 said:Almost Home
Thanks, Jean, I appreciate your thoughts. I am getting good physio here so
am doing better than expected. Didn't realize how hard it was to learn the things
I took for granted before like walking!
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Sorry to hear about your complications. I am sure you will fight back from this like you did every time. You have been a great inspiration on this forum and by far the most active member helping out others with information.
I have a good news about my dad. He had scans after 6 cycles of his chemo which showed significant shrinkage and about 20% of it is still left. Doctors asked him to go for 3-4 cycles more, if he can handle. His only side effects now fatigue and nausea. Mostly fatigue. He is eating a lot, which I think is a good sign. He is scheduled for a Cataract(eye operation) procedure next week, which takes about a month to recover. After that he will go through some tests and be put on chemo again. Hope tumors dont become active right away.
Good luck with your recovery, will pray for you. I will keep all updated on how things go.
Thanks
Anil0 -
Gallbladder Cancer and All It Entails!Meg2003 said:Update, it's been a while!
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to give you all an update and let you know my dad is still fighting. He was diagnosed in January of 2012 with stage 4 gallbladder cancer. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride.
He was originally approved for resecting and then they decided in was inoperable. Due to increased fluid build up in his gallbladder they decided to FINALLY remove that in June. When they went in there, they found that the tube they had inserted to reduce fluid in gallbladder, had punctured his bowel so they had to remove 3 inches. In otherwords a somewhat minor surgery turned into a huge one with an 11 inch incision and a lengthy recovery.
He finally gained the weight back and his port was put in and now 2 weeks later he has a painful bulge in his right upper abdomen. He thinks it's a hernia, and I can't help but hope that's what it is. Who new you would ever wish for hernia? Has anyone else experienced this? He leaves for the cancer center again Tuesday so he's too afraid to go to any doctors here which could cause a delay on chemo if they admit him.
Hi Jenny and Meg: First, Jenny. My path has been similar to your mom's - gallbladder tumour extending from the gallbladder to the liver in October 2009, had it all removed April 2010 (but not the other bits that should have been taken out like lymph nodes), started chemo September 2010 after a 4 month incision healing process - the chemo was a cocktail of gemcitibine and cisplatin but it didn't work to shrink the small tumours that started on my peritoneum and liver. In March 2011 started a much more aggressive chemo called folfirinox which is oxaliplatin + irenotecan + 5FU pump + leuc.....whatever it is. Had 14 treatments that stopped May 2012. This is a much nastier regime than the cisgem one - neuropathy, cold intolerance, constant diarrhea, fatigue. As you'll see above, I ended up in the hospital for 3 months with a perforated bowel. But it did work to shrink some of the peritoneum cancerous nodules and slowed down the growth on the liver. Another woman on the peritoneum discussion thread has reported that a similar regime as your mom is having appears to be working on her 27 year old daughter and she will be on chemo for life. The inclusion of irenotecan in the "normal" folfox regime I think is important but it is a nasty treatment and I don't want to go back on it! But may have to.
Now Meg. I too developed a hernia after my first surgery that removed the gallbladder, its tumour, and part of the liver. Mine was an incisional hernia that I had for 2 years and was repaired during my surgeries in May 2012. He should be wearing a binder to keep the hernias supported. Mine didn't hurt but I looked 9 months pregnant!
Cheryl0 -
High Doses of Vitamin Cwestie66 said:Gallbladder Cancer and All It Entails!
Hi Jenny and Meg: First, Jenny. My path has been similar to your mom's - gallbladder tumour extending from the gallbladder to the liver in October 2009, had it all removed April 2010 (but not the other bits that should have been taken out like lymph nodes), started chemo September 2010 after a 4 month incision healing process - the chemo was a cocktail of gemcitibine and cisplatin but it didn't work to shrink the small tumours that started on my peritoneum and liver. In March 2011 started a much more aggressive chemo called folfirinox which is oxaliplatin + irenotecan + 5FU pump + leuc.....whatever it is. Had 14 treatments that stopped May 2012. This is a much nastier regime than the cisgem one - neuropathy, cold intolerance, constant diarrhea, fatigue. As you'll see above, I ended up in the hospital for 3 months with a perforated bowel. But it did work to shrink some of the peritoneum cancerous nodules and slowed down the growth on the liver. Another woman on the peritoneum discussion thread has reported that a similar regime as your mom is having appears to be working on her 27 year old daughter and she will be on chemo for life. The inclusion of irenotecan in the "normal" folfox regime I think is important but it is a nasty treatment and I don't want to go back on it! But may have to.
Now Meg. I too developed a hernia after my first surgery that removed the gallbladder, its tumour, and part of the liver. Mine was an incisional hernia that I had for 2 years and was repaired during my surgeries in May 2012. He should be wearing a binder to keep the hernias supported. Mine didn't hurt but I looked 9 months pregnant!
Cheryl
Hello All, Has anyone heard about administering Vitamin C using IV. I was watching a documentary called 'Food Matters' and they claim that Vitamin C from 30g-100g helps reduce cancer.
Can anyone suggest the best diet while off from chemo regime?0 -
hello and help
Hi lily and everyone. My cousins husband was just diagnosed with metistatic gallbladder cancer that started in the gallbladder wall, and has spread to a large part of his liver. They have been given little hope and have been told it is very rare. My question to you guys is where in the US do you think he would get the best cutting edge treatment with the best surgeons. I think they have been told that surgery was not an option due to the size of the metastisis. Should they get a second opinion from another surgeon and is there a clinic anywhere that specializes in this type of cancer. We are in North Idaho rural area. He is only 49. He will be starting chemo soon. Any help or hope would be greatly appreciated.0 -
I'm a newbylirok said:Rocky.........how are you doing?
Just to add to the above. I just returned from my oncologist and was told my cancer is UNDER CONTROL. No additional chemo is scheduled at this time. All of my markers were excellent. Antigen down to 60 from 80 and this all was after 6 weeks of NO TREATMENT. Its the best news I have had since my initial diagnosis. Naturally they will scan me regularly to keep an eye on things. I also have to go in and have my stents cleared out as I am showing signs of jaundice. These were placed in almost 16 months ago so they have done their job well.
My next doctors visit is in September. That will be almost 3 months without any treatments. I could not be happier.
Keep fighting,
Rocky
Hi there everyone,
Sorry Rocky for jumping in on you, I don't know how to start my own discussion...
Firstly, thank you all for this wonderful web site - it is so nice to see some positveness come out of this dreadful situation we are all in. My name is Libby and I am a 55 year old woman from Auckland New Zealand and have been diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable Gallbladder cancer that has metastasized to the liver and bile ducts. As usual, the doctors have given me the usual 'months' to live but they dont know me or my strength. I want to show them that this cancer can be stopped in its tracks but I need help and support from people who are 'survivors'. I am currently undergoing chemo -Cisplatin and Gemcitabine and will be starting my 3rd cycle on Monday. I missed my last cycle due to blood infections which have accured both times on my 2 nd week. I have had a stent placed in my common bike duct and they think the infection might be starting from there. Anyway, I went for an assessment with my Onclogist yesterday and he told me my 'tumor markers' have come down from 2290 in June to 586 - a good thing he told me but a CT scan had shown up a new 11mm lesion in my liver.....not sure on that yet. He is very happy with me so far, I have put on 4kgs in weight and am feeling really good except for some lack of strength and sometimes a little tiredness.
Has anyone out there had problems with blood infections and bloating of the upper stomach around the rib cage?
Looking forward to getting some replys. Keep on fighting everyone :-)
Libby0 -
No hernia, spots on pancreaswestie66 said:Gallbladder Cancer and All It Entails!
Hi Jenny and Meg: First, Jenny. My path has been similar to your mom's - gallbladder tumour extending from the gallbladder to the liver in October 2009, had it all removed April 2010 (but not the other bits that should have been taken out like lymph nodes), started chemo September 2010 after a 4 month incision healing process - the chemo was a cocktail of gemcitibine and cisplatin but it didn't work to shrink the small tumours that started on my peritoneum and liver. In March 2011 started a much more aggressive chemo called folfirinox which is oxaliplatin + irenotecan + 5FU pump + leuc.....whatever it is. Had 14 treatments that stopped May 2012. This is a much nastier regime than the cisgem one - neuropathy, cold intolerance, constant diarrhea, fatigue. As you'll see above, I ended up in the hospital for 3 months with a perforated bowel. But it did work to shrink some of the peritoneum cancerous nodules and slowed down the growth on the liver. Another woman on the peritoneum discussion thread has reported that a similar regime as your mom is having appears to be working on her 27 year old daughter and she will be on chemo for life. The inclusion of irenotecan in the "normal" folfox regime I think is important but it is a nasty treatment and I don't want to go back on it! But may have to.
Now Meg. I too developed a hernia after my first surgery that removed the gallbladder, its tumour, and part of the liver. Mine was an incisional hernia that I had for 2 years and was repaired during my surgeries in May 2012. He should be wearing a binder to keep the hernias supported. Mine didn't hurt but I looked 9 months pregnant!
Cheryl
They determined he does not have a hernia, it has something to do with damaged nerves so the muscle isn't working. He went in for the MRI on saturday to confirm it wasn't a hernia and they found 2 spots(8mm and 9mm)on his pancreas. Has anyone else experienced this? To our knowledge, his lymph nodes are still clear but my mom is going to ask that they check them out again.
This just kind of caught us off guard. His blood work and cancer margins are those of a pefectly healthy person, not someone with cancer, nor have they ever been abnormal. He has been managing his chemo very well, his doctors are amazed and seem to be hopeful, but that was before this bump in the road.0 -
Traciertracier said:hello and help
Hi lily and everyone. My cousins husband was just diagnosed with metistatic gallbladder cancer that started in the gallbladder wall, and has spread to a large part of his liver. They have been given little hope and have been told it is very rare. My question to you guys is where in the US do you think he would get the best cutting edge treatment with the best surgeons. I think they have been told that surgery was not an option due to the size of the metastisis. Should they get a second opinion from another surgeon and is there a clinic anywhere that specializes in this type of cancer. We are in North Idaho rural area. He is only 49. He will be starting chemo soon. Any help or hope would be greatly appreciated.
Hello,
My dad (63) was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer in January 2012. His had spread to his liver, abdominal wall, and rib cage. We checked out a few facilities but felt the best about Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They are awesome and truly care about their patients. My dad was told originally that his was inoperable but they did end up doing surgery due to quality of life issues and removed his gallbladder. He was told he would never go into remission (without a miracle of course) but they believe he can live with it being 'controlled' for a VERY long time.
This facility focused on being positive. They do cover airfare for the patients and once they need caretakers, they will cover their airfare as well as long as you have private health coverage. My mom says it doesn't feel like a hospital at all and the doctors and nurses are very friendly and supportive as well as the other patients. My mom refers to it as a private 'club' but of course it isn't one anyone hopes to join.
This cancer is a tricky one, but it isn't impossible to beat and he could very well live with it for years to come as long as you start treatment right away.
Chemo for some is tolerable, which has been the case for my dad. They give medications through IV along with chemo to help with nausea. I highly suggest never turning those down. He is usually tired for a few days after infusion and then is back to his normal self. He hasn't lost any weight and does not look like a cancer patient at all. He's currently on a 6 month round of chemo (infusions every 2 weeks)which will be done in November and then they'll take him off for about 3 months.
They have done several scans and they were all clear, but the recent surgery showed it's all still there. This form of cancer really is a pain in the butt, but despite what doctors may have told him, there is still hope. From what I've heard, so many fighting this cancer can still go about their day to day lives while going through treatment. Do not allow your cousin to settle on doctor or facility who doesn't give them hope.
Good luck, we'll all be praying for him!0 -
ScansMeg2003 said:Tracier
Hello,
My dad (63) was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer in January 2012. His had spread to his liver, abdominal wall, and rib cage. We checked out a few facilities but felt the best about Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They are awesome and truly care about their patients. My dad was told originally that his was inoperable but they did end up doing surgery due to quality of life issues and removed his gallbladder. He was told he would never go into remission (without a miracle of course) but they believe he can live with it being 'controlled' for a VERY long time.
This facility focused on being positive. They do cover airfare for the patients and once they need caretakers, they will cover their airfare as well as long as you have private health coverage. My mom says it doesn't feel like a hospital at all and the doctors and nurses are very friendly and supportive as well as the other patients. My mom refers to it as a private 'club' but of course it isn't one anyone hopes to join.
This cancer is a tricky one, but it isn't impossible to beat and he could very well live with it for years to come as long as you start treatment right away.
Chemo for some is tolerable, which has been the case for my dad. They give medications through IV along with chemo to help with nausea. I highly suggest never turning those down. He is usually tired for a few days after infusion and then is back to his normal self. He hasn't lost any weight and does not look like a cancer patient at all. He's currently on a 6 month round of chemo (infusions every 2 weeks)which will be done in November and then they'll take him off for about 3 months.
They have done several scans and they were all clear, but the recent surgery showed it's all still there. This form of cancer really is a pain in the butt, but despite what doctors may have told him, there is still hope. From what I've heard, so many fighting this cancer can still go about their day to day lives while going through treatment. Do not allow your cousin to settle on doctor or facility who doesn't give them hope.
Good luck, we'll all be praying for him!
HI: That's the scary thing about CT and MRI scans. Sometimes they miss important details - like tumours! I had the same thing happen to me. Three MRIs in a row showed no tumours on the peritoneum (so we stopped chemo for 6 months) but a 4th scan (CT) showed them still there. So relying on scans may be dangerous but not sure what else one can do for monitoring. My oncologist doesn't believe in tumour blood marker like CA119 or 125 or whatever the other one is.
Keep us posted!
Cheryl0 -
Tumour markerswestie66 said:Scans
HI: That's the scary thing about CT and MRI scans. Sometimes they miss important details - like tumours! I had the same thing happen to me. Three MRIs in a row showed no tumours on the peritoneum (so we stopped chemo for 6 months) but a 4th scan (CT) showed them still there. So relying on scans may be dangerous but not sure what else one can do for monitoring. My oncologist doesn't believe in tumour blood marker like CA119 or 125 or whatever the other one is.
Keep us posted!
Cheryl
Hi there Cheryl and everybody,
I'm new on this web site and am so happy to have found it - you guys are such an inspiration. Talking about tumour markers, my oncologist said to me not to fully rely on them but they are still an indication that the treatment we are being given is working. My tumour markers went from 2290 in June this year when i was first diagnosed to 586 in September. To my Oncologist and me this is amazing and is what still gives me hope when a few months back I had none. To change the subject, I am on my 3rd cycle of chemo treatment - Cisplatin and Gemcitabine. Since I started back in August I have put on 6kgs in weight and eat like a horse. I also have been getting itchy fingers and palms and the soles of my feet, has anyone else had the same problems?
Looking forward to a reply - be well everyone, Libby
Ps, I did put my first discussion in a few weeks back ((I replied to Rocky) because I didn't know how to start my own discussion0
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