How is the cybernife or laser trtmt for liver mets

hopeforcure49
hopeforcure49 Member Posts: 111
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I know some of you have mentioned the cybernife. My ONC. suggested as so did I. that I don't want another liver resection for 2 small mets. He says if they shrink and my Cea's drop. Then its time to have them lasered out. Is this an outpatient procedure? Will I be awake? What is the recovery time? I guess I could ask my doc. but most of you seem to know a lot more and have gone thru the experience. It will help me see things better. Also will I have to continue chemo? I know, that question again.... I rather not. and wait till I have another ct scan after the laser to give my body time to heal... plus I have a wedding in July that I would like to attend and feel half normal. I have been of the forum for a while, I guess I just get fed up with all these treatments and which ones work best for certain diagnosis. I just wish there was just one for everyone and that would take care of all cancer cells. I guess I still hope for a cure. Hope it is soon! Thanks again. blessings to all Lourdes.

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    Got Some Info for You...
    Lourdes

    I did CyberKnife following RFA with good results. It is called radio surgery, but what it is very "high intense radiation" treatments. Standard treatments are between 3-5 and can run up to 2 hours each session.

    Is this an outpatient procedure? YES

    Will I be awake? YES

    What is the recovery time? 5-7 days to shake off the fatigue.

    In order for CyberKnife to work, the surgeon has to inplant the gold fiduciary beads in and around the tumor on your liver. This is necessary in order for the machine to follow the path setup by your liver surgeon and radiation oncologist. If they were done during your resection, great...if not, this would need to be done and would be a laprascopic procedure in a hospital.

    They outfit you with this fancy little suit - this hooks up to the CyberKnife and compensates for your breathing, so that when you breathe in and out, the laser stays on the directed patch your doctors input in the system programming that they are monitoring in the outer room.

    They create you a "form" that you lay in with hands over your head...this is the tough part, trying to keep your arms from falling to sleep. You'll lie on your back and your facility may have a TV screen up there and you can order a movie while the treatment goes. The machine moves all around you in multiple directions, but just ignore it the best you can.

    If your arms get tired, you can call for a rest and they will stop...if you have to go to the restroom and get out of the machine, nurses get upset there...it means they have to recalibrate the machine from the beginning and start back...you'd get some stares but if you gotta' go, you gotta'.

    Your arms will be real sore after the treatments from having it over your head for so long. Fatigue is not as bad as conventional radiation so the recovery is quicker.

    Best of luck, Lourdes!

    -Craig
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #3
    Lourdes
    Craig is the expert of all experts here. Glad he responded. He is such an inspiration to everyone fighting this ghastly disease. I'm praying for a cure for you and everyone here.
    Blessings,
    Marie
  • hopeforcure49
    hopeforcure49 Member Posts: 111
    #4
    Sundanceh said:

    Got Some Info for You...
    Lourdes

    I did CyberKnife following RFA with good results. It is called radio surgery, but what it is very "high intense radiation" treatments. Standard treatments are between 3-5 and can run up to 2 hours each session.

    Is this an outpatient procedure? YES

    Will I be awake? YES

    What is the recovery time? 5-7 days to shake off the fatigue.

    In order for CyberKnife to work, the surgeon has to inplant the gold fiduciary beads in and around the tumor on your liver. This is necessary in order for the machine to follow the path setup by your liver surgeon and radiation oncologist. If they were done during your resection, great...if not, this would need to be done and would be a laprascopic procedure in a hospital.

    They outfit you with this fancy little suit - this hooks up to the CyberKnife and compensates for your breathing, so that when you breathe in and out, the laser stays on the directed patch your doctors input in the system programming that they are monitoring in the outer room.

    They create you a "form" that you lay in with hands over your head...this is the tough part, trying to keep your arms from falling to sleep. You'll lie on your back and your facility may have a TV screen up there and you can order a movie while the treatment goes. The machine moves all around you in multiple directions, but just ignore it the best you can.

    If your arms get tired, you can call for a rest and they will stop...if you have to go to the restroom and get out of the machine, nurses get upset there...it means they have to recalibrate the machine from the beginning and start back...you'd get some stares but if you gotta' go, you gotta'.

    Your arms will be real sore after the treatments from having it over your head for so long. Fatigue is not as bad as conventional radiation so the recovery is quicker.

    Best of luck, Lourdes!

    -Craig

    Thanks Craig
    I guess nothing is easy, but I rather have this done, than a liver resection. By the way I read that you are from Texas. I live in Katy, Texas. Do still live here? Thanks again for the info. it was good. And I read your last post. did not comment, but I do admire your strength. Someone, somewhere in this universe has something good planned for you....Keep you in my thoughts, blessings Lourdes.
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #5
    hopeforcure49 said:

    Thanks Craig
    I guess nothing is easy, but I rather have this done, than a liver resection. By the way I read that you are from Texas. I live in Katy, Texas. Do still live here? Thanks again for the info. it was good. And I read your last post. did not comment, but I do admire your strength. Someone, somewhere in this universe has something good planned for you....Keep you in my thoughts, blessings Lourdes.

    Lourdes:)
    You are most welcome and I hope this helps you out with what you would be facing. Nothing is ever easy with this cancer business and we are tasked with having to do so much, and that's why it's hard - if it were easy, everyone would be doin' it - it's the HARD that makes it GREAT!

    I do live in Texas, I'm up in the Big D - live in Arlington, which is in between Dallas and Fort Worth. I was born in Houston though, so am familiar with Katy, TX...

    I appreciate you reading my post - means alot to me that people read it and got something out of it.

    I like your comment on "something good planned"....that would be really nice if that happened. I'm following your story too....look forward to another update from you.


    And SFMarie - your words keep me inspired, thanks for the generous compliment. I always look forward to hearing from you....loved SF when we visited there and hope to make it back again one day - to the city by the bay:)

    -Craig

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