Gallbladder Cancer Stage 4

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  • JennaB11
    JennaB11 Member Posts: 6
    #222
    JennaB11 said:

    Thank you Lily for that Drs
    Thank you Lily for that Drs information. I'll look into that thread about the ometum, thank you. He had his first dose of this chemo cocktail on Monday and he feels fine from it he says. Thank goodness! He said it could be harder as time progresses, but I'm just focusing on the fact that he feels good right now. We cant worry about tomorrow. Thank you for adding him to your prayers, you are in mine as well for your continued recovery!
    Have a great weekend,
    Jenna

    treatments
    Hi everyone,
    Has anyone know any information about the Chemo bath? We heard about it and thought maybe its an option for my father in law. Also we were looking into HIPEC treatment to. I don't know if it would be possible for him to have it. His cancer has now spread to the lungs a little bit, and he has the blockage in his intestines. The drs think it is scar tissue or cancer, but there is cancer over the intestines. Its in the omentum and in the prefenial lining. His primary cancer is the gallbladder though. Lily do you know anything about these treatments? He is doing chemo now,the gemzar and cisplatin combo.
    Does anyone have any tips on gaining weight? He's losing so quickly from vomiting and diarrhea. He has an appetite but has to eat very small meals. He wants all types of foods, from ribs to hotdogs to milkshakes!! I think he eats some nutritional as well. Please let me know if you know anything about those treatments. Thank you!
    Jenna
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #223
    JennaB11 said:

    treatments
    Hi everyone,
    Has anyone know any information about the Chemo bath? We heard about it and thought maybe its an option for my father in law. Also we were looking into HIPEC treatment to. I don't know if it would be possible for him to have it. His cancer has now spread to the lungs a little bit, and he has the blockage in his intestines. The drs think it is scar tissue or cancer, but there is cancer over the intestines. Its in the omentum and in the prefenial lining. His primary cancer is the gallbladder though. Lily do you know anything about these treatments? He is doing chemo now,the gemzar and cisplatin combo.
    Does anyone have any tips on gaining weight? He's losing so quickly from vomiting and diarrhea. He has an appetite but has to eat very small meals. He wants all types of foods, from ribs to hotdogs to milkshakes!! I think he eats some nutritional as well. Please let me know if you know anything about those treatments. Thank you!
    Jenna

    Treatments
    Hi Jenna: I was under the impression that chemo baths and the HIPEC procedure were the same thing but maybe not. In the latter, heated (or sometimes not) high dose chemicals (usually same ones he's getting already) are injected into the abdominal cavity through ports in the abdomen, swished around, and presumably drained out. This is repeated over several days and weeks. It is the actual contact of the chemicals directly onto the tumours that is the goal as the tumours on the peritoneum and omentum are not well connected to the body's blood system and hence to a regular IV type of chemotherapy. However, I am getting a different treatment through a regular IV - oxaliplatin + irenotecan + 5FU pump which is stabilizing and even shrinking some of the cancerous nodules on the peritoneum. My gallbladder and its tumour was cut out last April 2010.
    I have the same problem gaining weight because of diarrhea on the folfoxfiri chemotherapy treatment (didn't have it on the cisplatin + gemcitibine treatment). I too crave things I shouldn't have like pizza and hamburgers and milkshakes so I eat them. But I also drink a lot of liquid meal replacement drinks too because to me they taste like milkshakes and have a lot of good things in them nutritionally. I go to the BRAT diet when the diarrhea is severe (white rice + apple sauce + white bread + bananas, i.e. NO FIBRE). I take lomotil for the diarrhea right at the beginning to control it. Imodium doesn't work for me. I take a lot of pills for nausea - they give me 4 before I start chemo, an injection during chemo, and pills for 3 days after chemo. So I don't get much nausea.
    Not sure if this helps!
    Cheryl
  • kgrandma
    kgrandma Member Posts: 1
    #224
    Lily50 said:

    Good News
    Hi Maudsie,

    That is not good news but "Great News". Congratulations!! Finally to have that port removed deserves a special celebration. It is important for others that are in the midst of treatment to hear success stories. Again YAY!!!

    Take Care
    Lily

    Gall Bladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hello Lily,

    This is my first time on this site and I'm really not sure if I am posting properly. I am so happy that are now cancer free. Reading your story gives me hope for my grandma. We live in Toronto and have found out that she has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 Gall Bladder cancer. It all started with the doctors finding a tumor in her gall bladder that was all removed and doctors telling us everything was fine. She went back to the doctors 3 months later and they found cancer in her gall bladder area. Something about lymph nodes and the cancer spreading to her lungs. I don't understand how this can be stage 4 all of a sudden. The doctors told her she only has 8-10 months. My grandma is currently 69 and I am really hoping she goes to get chemo therapy and whether this will help rid of the cancer. I am staying positive and I am wishing for the best. Please help thank you..
  • Monarch
    Monarch Member Posts: 36
    #225
    JennaB11 said:

    Dr info
    Hi Lily,
    Thank you for the Dr information! He was diagnosed about 3 years ago. He had his gallbladder removed due to pain after eatting and then they found cancer on it. He did chemo and radiation together after that for a while. Then for a long time the Drs. could not find any cancer anywhere! It was amazing!!! It was all the prayers! For six weeks (beginning in July 2011) he was on and off going to the ER every few days for vomiting and having trouble eating. After tests and when they were about to do surgery, they found it was stage 4, causing a blockage in the intestines. They said its in the omen-tum tissue as well and 'everywhere'. So that's where we are at now. He is doing chemo the gemzar and cisplatin. Once a week he goes for the majority of the day. He is 65. I will share your Dr information with him. Maybe he can have his records sent to them instead of traveling since he's doing chemo now. We are in IL, Chicago. Thanks for responding so quickly!
    take care,
    Jenna

    Jenna,
    I am sorry to hear
    Jenna,

    I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Best wishes and prayers to all of you.

    What stage was he originally classified as? Do you know what kind of chemo he had the first time around? Did he have any other surgery (liver resection, lymph nodes removed etc) after they found the gallbladder cancer? Did he have laproscopic surgery on the gallbladder?

    Sorry for so many questions. We are just trying to make some decisions on my Mom's treatment and read your family's situation with interest

    Again, my family's thoughts and prayers are with you. (And everyone on this board!)

    Monarch
  • lourdes726
    lourdes726 Member Posts: 16
    #226
    Monarch said:

    Jenna,
    I am sorry to hear
    Jenna,

    I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Best wishes and prayers to all of you.

    What stage was he originally classified as? Do you know what kind of chemo he had the first time around? Did he have any other surgery (liver resection, lymph nodes removed etc) after they found the gallbladder cancer? Did he have laproscopic surgery on the gallbladder?

    Sorry for so many questions. We are just trying to make some decisions on my Mom's treatment and read your family's situation with interest

    Again, my family's thoughts and prayers are with you. (And everyone on this board!)

    Monarch

    Gallbladder Cancer T2
    Hi Monarch,

    Sorry to hear about your mom's cancer, but so glad to hear she is well. I also was diagnosed with a T2 GB tumor 19 months ago. I too had a liver reection and was staged at T2 M0 N0 R0 stage 1b, however the staging has since changed in the newest edition of the manuals used to stage GB cancer and it is now called stage 2. I had 5fu and radiation for 6 weeks followed by xeloda. I couldn't tolerate the xeloda and I was changed to Gemzar for 4 months. I had a total of 6 months of chemo. This disease is so rare that it seems that doctors all give a different opionion. My surgeon and some others on the tumor board at UCLA recommended no chemo., but my oncologist a home and the doctors she consulted with recommended xeloda and then gemzar. I went to Dana Farber for a second opionion and they recommended gemzar/cisplatin. I chose to do xeloda and then gemzar only because my oncologist at home didn't feel that at my stage I needed to add the cisplatin. She consulted with several other doctors as well. I know of another women diagnosed with a t2 tumor and she did have gemzar/cisplatin and did well. I also know another lady that ony had 6 weeks of radiation and xeloda, and that is all doctors recommended. It is a hard call to make as there is little research to prove what works best on GB cancer that is used for an extra measure of insurance. My doctor explained that gemzar/cisplatin has shown some good results on advanced GB cancer, but that does not mean that it works the same on someone that does not have active disease. This cancer needs more research and more people that have survived posting what treatment they have. Good luck to your mom.
    Lourdes
  • Monarch
    Monarch Member Posts: 36
    #227
    lourdes726 said:

    Gallbladder Cancer T2
    Hi Monarch,

    Sorry to hear about your mom's cancer, but so glad to hear she is well. I also was diagnosed with a T2 GB tumor 19 months ago. I too had a liver reection and was staged at T2 M0 N0 R0 stage 1b, however the staging has since changed in the newest edition of the manuals used to stage GB cancer and it is now called stage 2. I had 5fu and radiation for 6 weeks followed by xeloda. I couldn't tolerate the xeloda and I was changed to Gemzar for 4 months. I had a total of 6 months of chemo. This disease is so rare that it seems that doctors all give a different opionion. My surgeon and some others on the tumor board at UCLA recommended no chemo., but my oncologist a home and the doctors she consulted with recommended xeloda and then gemzar. I went to Dana Farber for a second opionion and they recommended gemzar/cisplatin. I chose to do xeloda and then gemzar only because my oncologist at home didn't feel that at my stage I needed to add the cisplatin. She consulted with several other doctors as well. I know of another women diagnosed with a t2 tumor and she did have gemzar/cisplatin and did well. I also know another lady that ony had 6 weeks of radiation and xeloda, and that is all doctors recommended. It is a hard call to make as there is little research to prove what works best on GB cancer that is used for an extra measure of insurance. My doctor explained that gemzar/cisplatin has shown some good results on advanced GB cancer, but that does not mean that it works the same on someone that does not have active disease. This cancer needs more research and more people that have survived posting what treatment they have. Good luck to your mom.
    Lourdes

    Thank you so much for your
    Thank you so much for your reply, Lourdes. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    What side effects did you experience from the gemzar? Did you have it one day every other week? How long did the infusion take? (I know that this info can vary by patient but am just trying to get some sort of level set for mom. We have not discussed the specific details with the doc as Mom is opting to wait until January for the next course of chemo.)

    The oncologist actually recommended gem/ox...but would also be happy if she would agree to gem/cis. He has not mention gem alone. It seems that ox has been doing wonders for colon cancer patients but there seem to be some extreme side effects from it - and precautions needed during treatment with it.

    We are not sure that Mom will be able to tolerate either of the protocols as she developed afib while on the 5FU and a blood clot in her leg shortly after treatment ended. But, she is willing to give it a go and do all that she can.

    You are so right when you say that more research is needed. And, they need to start documenting the cases where it is used for an extra measure of insurance. I've heard "they just don't have current statistics and there's no ongoing reporting database for GB cancer" so many times that I just want to jump up and down and scream until someone does start following it.

    Again, my family is sending you positive thoughts and prayers. We wish you continued success and health in your journey.

    Monarch
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #228
    Monarch said:

    Thank you so much for your
    Thank you so much for your reply, Lourdes. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    What side effects did you experience from the gemzar? Did you have it one day every other week? How long did the infusion take? (I know that this info can vary by patient but am just trying to get some sort of level set for mom. We have not discussed the specific details with the doc as Mom is opting to wait until January for the next course of chemo.)

    The oncologist actually recommended gem/ox...but would also be happy if she would agree to gem/cis. He has not mention gem alone. It seems that ox has been doing wonders for colon cancer patients but there seem to be some extreme side effects from it - and precautions needed during treatment with it.

    We are not sure that Mom will be able to tolerate either of the protocols as she developed afib while on the 5FU and a blood clot in her leg shortly after treatment ended. But, she is willing to give it a go and do all that she can.

    You are so right when you say that more research is needed. And, they need to start documenting the cases where it is used for an extra measure of insurance. I've heard "they just don't have current statistics and there's no ongoing reporting database for GB cancer" so many times that I just want to jump up and down and scream until someone does start following it.

    Again, my family is sending you positive thoughts and prayers. We wish you continued success and health in your journey.

    Monarch

    Gallbladder Cancer Treatments
    (Monarch: see my reply on the other gallbladder discussion thread as well.)
    Hi: Yup, that is the problem - too little is known about gallbladder cancer but in my mind diagnosis of it is increasing (but not the research!). My gallbladder and its tumour (which extended on the right side through the gallbladder wall into the liver) and part of the liver were removed laparoscopically - not a good way to do it - April 2010. The incisions took 4 months to heal. Malignant nodules on the peritoneum were observed during the surgery. Monitoring before and during chemo which started Sept 2010 showed no spread of cancer other than on the nodules (which were not removed - only 6 of them). My first chemo regime was cisplatin-gemcitibine. I had 12 treatments two weeks on and one week off and didn't suffer any side effects - in fact I even drove myself to treatment. This treatment likely kept spread at bay but did not shrink the nodules on the peritoneum. For this, my oncologist is trying oxaliplatin + irenotecan + 5FU pump. I have had 12 treatments and there is stability and even some shrinkage of the little nodules. We will now look at other treatments - more chemo, surgery? for some reason he doesn't recommend radiation. I have had a lot of side effects from this chemo regime - fatigue, severe diarrhea, sweating, neuropathy that I control - but nothing that would make me stop it.
    Cheryl
  • aziza
    aziza Member Posts: 1
    #229
    Lily50 said:

    Gallbladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hi,
    I too was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer stage 4 in the fall of 2005. My husband later told me that I was given a short time frame also. Well they were wrong!

    I had aggressive chemotherpy for almost a year to shink my turmor so that they could operate on my gallbladder, liver, stomach and removal of lymph nodes. I have a great oncologist in Las Vegas, Nevada and had my surgery at UCLA in California. I completed my chemo in March 2007.

    I never lost my HOPE or FAITH and no doctor should ever be allowed to take away your HOPE.

    If I can help answer any questions just let me know. It is a hard road but it is worth it. Every day becomes a blessing.

    my dad is diagnose with gall bladder cancer
    hello lily! i hope you are doing well.I am aziza my father is 56 years old and find out about his gallbladder cancer on 30 october. Doctors told him that his cancer is spread upto liver,stomach and duodonum...during st scan they told that there are patches of cancer cells on liver so it cover some part.
    His first chemo start on 10 november, second on 17 november and third on 1 december he's been called for another chemo on 8 december they said this its advance stage and chemo is the only option we have.
    He is diabetic and piles sufferer and dealing very hard with chemo side effect...he cant eat feeling sick and hiccups troubling him in sleep and eating....he is loosing so much weight. he is in india.
    Lily i read your story and it give me positivity and show me a ray of hope that my dad can beat this deadly disease....
    can please tell me that how much chemo did you receive and how much time interval...
    because the last chemo he had ...they called him after two weeks and it took hin 12 days to get better so he was ready for that chemo but now he's been called after 1 week so he is vey stressed to take another chemo so soon.
    My mum she's very patient and big strength for family BUT MY DAD HE GAVE UP HIS HOPE.
    I am in england and my parents and siblings are in india so i tell you what i know about his disease....i am very worried about him my brother and sister is so young and are in college and school.please pray for us and suggest some thing that make him feel better.
  • girishpd
    girishpd Member Posts: 7
    #230
    parthgovil said:

    Gall bladder cancer
    Hi,

    I am from Bangalore, India. My father's been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer stage 4 which has spread slightly to liver as well.

    Yours seem to be a very motivating case, anything specific you did + can you give me the contact details of the oncologist who treated you.

    Regards

    Parth

    Cancer Care in Bangalore
    Hi Parth,
    I hope your father is doing well.
    My Father-in-law has been diagnosed of a stage 3 Gall bladder cancer, I am in Bangalore too and would like to know where you got your father treated, It would really help me to know your experience.

    Thanks,
    Girish
  • parthgovil
    parthgovil Member Posts: 5
    #231
    girishpd said:

    Cancer Care in Bangalore
    Hi Parth,
    I hope your father is doing well.
    My Father-in-law has been diagnosed of a stage 3 Gall bladder cancer, I am in Bangalore too and would like to know where you got your father treated, It would really help me to know your experience.

    Thanks,
    Girish

    Girishpd's father in law
    Hi,

    Ya, happy to state that father is doing quite well. Hope this continues. We got ourselves treated at Columbia Asia, yashvantpur, refer to Dr. Neelesh reddy, they take great care. You could write to me at parthgovil@yahoo.com.

    Regards

    Parth
  • Niti28
    Niti28 Member Posts: 1
    #232
    Lily50 said:

    Gallbladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hi,
    I too was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer stage 4 in the fall of 2005. My husband later told me that I was given a short time frame also. Well they were wrong!

    I had aggressive chemotherpy for almost a year to shink my turmor so that they could operate on my gallbladder, liver, stomach and removal of lymph nodes. I have a great oncologist in Las Vegas, Nevada and had my surgery at UCLA in California. I completed my chemo in March 2007.

    I never lost my HOPE or FAITH and no doctor should ever be allowed to take away your HOPE.

    If I can help answer any questions just let me know. It is a hard road but it is worth it. Every day becomes a blessing.

    My dad has the same problem. Need your help and guidance.
    Dear Lily50,

    Your post gives me hope. My father has been diagnosed gall bladder cancer stage 4 spread to liver. His chemotherapy has started today. Doctors in India too have suggested a process of aggressive chemotherapy. Kindly let me know in how much intervals and how aggressive was the chemotherapy given to you.

    Also, Kindly give me the contact details of the oncologist you consulted. Was it Dr. Gollard?

    Awaiting your reply,
    Niti28
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #233
    Niti28 said:

    My dad has the same problem. Need your help and guidance.
    Dear Lily50,

    Your post gives me hope. My father has been diagnosed gall bladder cancer stage 4 spread to liver. His chemotherapy has started today. Doctors in India too have suggested a process of aggressive chemotherapy. Kindly let me know in how much intervals and how aggressive was the chemotherapy given to you.

    Also, Kindly give me the contact details of the oncologist you consulted. Was it Dr. Gollard?

    Awaiting your reply,
    Niti28

    Gallbladder Cancer
    Hi Niti28: You would be better to reply at the very end of this thread rather than on page 1. I'll let Lily50 know you have a query. I, too, have gallbladder cancer that spread to the liver and the peritoneum. After tumour removal I had 12 treatments of cisplatin + gemcitibine once a week for two weeks and then skip a week. I think had a further 12 treatments of oxaliplatin + irenotecan + 5FU pump every 2nd week.
    Cheryl
  • Lily50
    Lily50 Member Posts: 209
    #234
    Niti28 said:

    My dad has the same problem. Need your help and guidance.
    Dear Lily50,

    Your post gives me hope. My father has been diagnosed gall bladder cancer stage 4 spread to liver. His chemotherapy has started today. Doctors in India too have suggested a process of aggressive chemotherapy. Kindly let me know in how much intervals and how aggressive was the chemotherapy given to you.

    Also, Kindly give me the contact details of the oncologist you consulted. Was it Dr. Gollard?

    Awaiting your reply,
    Niti28

    Niti28 Dad
    Hi Niti28,

    Welcome to our discussion board! I'm so glad you found us all and that this thread has given you Hope. Hope & Faith are essential in this terrible fight. I too was diagnosed with Stage 4 GBC in 2005 and here it is 2012 and I'm still here. Hope his first treatment went well. There are some other postings of others that are in India, check them out if you have time. It is easier sometimes to find others in your country that might have additional information of great doctors there. I did have very aggressive treatment and it was difficult. Since GBC is such an aggressive cancer it needs to be treated aggressively. I went 4 days a week 2 weeks on 1 week off. I would go in at 8 A.M. and if I was lucky I would be out of there by 2 P.M. I started chemo in December of 2005 and had surgery in October 2006 and completed chemo in March of 2007. I had to have both white and red blood cell shots when my counts would go down. I also had one platelet transfusion. Numerous hospital stays due to infections but my doctor would take me to the edge and back again. He did save my life along with my surgeon.

    My oncologist's name is:
    Cancer and Blood Specialists of Nevada
    Russell Gollard, MD
    58 N. Pecos Road
    Henderson, Nevada 89074
    702-822-2000
    Green Valley Location

    If I can answer any more questions let me know. Also this is a large discussion thread that makes it very difficult to find new posts so we have created the new thread Gallbladder Cancer - 2012 (Any Stage) for quicker responses.
    Take Care
    Lily
  • chunkymonkey99
    chunkymonkey99 Member Posts: 1
    #235
    Lily50 said:

    Dee's Brother
    Hello and welcome to this forum. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother and this terrible diagnosis. I am a gall bladder stage IV cancer survivor. Ask me anything you want and I'll try to answer.
    Quite a number of us also had lesions on the liver. Sounds like he is receiving the standard protocol for this disease. Gemzar is a very good chmo drug and has shrunk many turmors for others. He has already experienced many hills and valleys and is fighting a tough fight. I wish him well and with everyday that passes he will get stronger for his chemo battle.
    It amazes me that many doctor's miss the signs of this disease. It takes a caring and compassionate doctor to find these issues and it is usually in a very short time frame. There are some bad doctor's, some good doctor's and then there are some great doctor's. If we are lucky enough to find them they can ultimately save our lives. Dr. Hegopian sounds like a great one!
    Hope & Faith will carry you through on this journey.

    Take Care
    Lily

    please help
    my dad has just been diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and is 81 . He hasd the body of a 60 year old always very active and never sick a day in his life or on any medication. Things see dire as the doctors are telling us he has advanced cancer. We are going to an oncologist /hematologist now and he is going to do a ct guided biopsy on hios lymph node in his neck. He has other smalll spots in his body the largest being a 3cm by 2cm enhanncing mass on the left posterior pelvis between the posterior aspect of the urinary bladder and the left seminal vesicle. He has a fullness in the lower right and left quadrant and some dull fullness n the right lowe back. when he sits he has to do softly as he feels pressure near his tailbone. He lost 15 pounds but other than that so far those are all his symptons. I am in the nj area and was wondering what I should do from here. I want to find a gallbladder cancer specialist but that is rare to find. i am willing to travel to NYC. Any suggestions would help as I don't know where to turn right now.
  • Milo55
    Milo55 Member Posts: 1
    #236
    kgrandma said:

    Gall Bladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hello Lily,

    This is my first time on this site and I'm really not sure if I am posting properly. I am so happy that are now cancer free. Reading your story gives me hope for my grandma. We live in Toronto and have found out that she has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 Gall Bladder cancer. It all started with the doctors finding a tumor in her gall bladder that was all removed and doctors telling us everything was fine. She went back to the doctors 3 months later and they found cancer in her gall bladder area. Something about lymph nodes and the cancer spreading to her lungs. I don't understand how this can be stage 4 all of a sudden. The doctors told her she only has 8-10 months. My grandma is currently 69 and I am really hoping she goes to get chemo therapy and whether this will help rid of the cancer. I am staying positive and I am wishing for the best. Please help thank you..

    Gall Bladder cancer
    Hello Lily,

    how is your grandma? My husband is excatly same case. His Gall Bladder was removed last year. He was diagnosed with stage 4 Gall Bladder cancer.After 4 section of chemotherapy he was just fine. His CT, MRI and PET test was negative. Just 2 month ago my husband's skiny and eyes turned yellow. They took him to the hospital and he had a surgery, they put stand in his bile duct. Doctor who operated on him is telling me he has max 8 month to live. His oncology doctor wants to give him more chemotherapy and radiation because there is another tumor in his bile duct and his omenta is full of positive cancer cells. He is only 57 years old. I am so angry and confused.
    I am still looking for some alternative medicine, green juices. Please, help.
    Thank you.
  • ASchlechty
    ASchlechty Member Posts: 2
    #237
    Lily50 said:

    Gallbladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hi,
    I too was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer stage 4 in the fall of 2005. My husband later told me that I was given a short time frame also. Well they were wrong!

    I had aggressive chemotherpy for almost a year to shink my turmor so that they could operate on my gallbladder, liver, stomach and removal of lymph nodes. I have a great oncologist in Las Vegas, Nevada and had my surgery at UCLA in California. I completed my chemo in March 2007.

    I never lost my HOPE or FAITH and no doctor should ever be allowed to take away your HOPE.

    If I can help answer any questions just let me know. It is a hard road but it is worth it. Every day becomes a blessing.

    dad diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer
    Hey... My dad was diagnosed with an advanced stage of gallbladder cancer that has spread to the stomach, diaphram, liver. He had his first chemo treatment of gemzar and cisplatin last week and he will have another one next week. I was wondering if you have any words of encouragement I could share with him? He is pretty depressed about the way he feels and how much his life has changed already. Thank you!
  • evelynchan2004
    evelynchan2004 Member Posts: 6
    #238
    Lily50 said:

    Gallbladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hi,
    I too was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer stage 4 in the fall of 2005. My husband later told me that I was given a short time frame also. Well they were wrong!

    I had aggressive chemotherpy for almost a year to shink my turmor so that they could operate on my gallbladder, liver, stomach and removal of lymph nodes. I have a great oncologist in Las Vegas, Nevada and had my surgery at UCLA in California. I completed my chemo in March 2007.

    I never lost my HOPE or FAITH and no doctor should ever be allowed to take away your HOPE.

    If I can help answer any questions just let me know. It is a hard road but it is worth it. Every day becomes a blessing.

    Hello Lily
    I have read alot of what you have wrotten, and have posted on blogs before.. You are such an inspiring person to have share your experience and giving people hope.. That's so great of you.. And i'm so happy for you and admire what you do for other's that you don't even know..

    My mom is undergoing her 2nd treatment with chemo. She has gallbladder stage four, and her first treatment didn't work. Her first treatment was gemzar and cisplatin which :( Her onocoligist is treating her with 5fu and now it is her 3rd treatment. He said that if this treatment dosen't work his next step is hospice. She going in 2 weeks for her ct scan to see if it working. Her doctor said before treating with 5fu that the success rate is low.

    I can see how much my mom is suffering where my heart just breaks. And sometimes I feel so selfish for not being there, cause i can't even see her like that. But my mom is a strong woman and always has been, she does everything her doctor tells her to. Always on schedule with her meds, and I sometimes maybe it's her time. But you know what she's the one that makes me believe it's not, by trying her best to fight this.

    Hospice to me is bascically the last option and giving up the fight. I don't want her to suffer but i strongly believe that my mom is someone like you. A cancer survivor.. And if not, I just want to know that me, my sister and brother did everything for her life.

    Do you have any suggestions or anything to help.. i would appreciate it so much.. Thank you again for even taking the time to read this..
  • evelynchan2004
    evelynchan2004 Member Posts: 6
    #239
    Lily50 said:

    Niti28 Dad
    Hi Niti28,

    Welcome to our discussion board! I'm so glad you found us all and that this thread has given you Hope. Hope & Faith are essential in this terrible fight. I too was diagnosed with Stage 4 GBC in 2005 and here it is 2012 and I'm still here. Hope his first treatment went well. There are some other postings of others that are in India, check them out if you have time. It is easier sometimes to find others in your country that might have additional information of great doctors there. I did have very aggressive treatment and it was difficult. Since GBC is such an aggressive cancer it needs to be treated aggressively. I went 4 days a week 2 weeks on 1 week off. I would go in at 8 A.M. and if I was lucky I would be out of there by 2 P.M. I started chemo in December of 2005 and had surgery in October 2006 and completed chemo in March of 2007. I had to have both white and red blood cell shots when my counts would go down. I also had one platelet transfusion. Numerous hospital stays due to infections but my doctor would take me to the edge and back again. He did save my life along with my surgeon.

    My oncologist's name is:
    Cancer and Blood Specialists of Nevada
    Russell Gollard, MD
    58 N. Pecos Road
    Henderson, Nevada 89074
    702-822-2000
    Green Valley Location

    If I can answer any more questions let me know. Also this is a large discussion thread that makes it very difficult to find new posts so we have created the new thread Gallbladder Cancer - 2012 (Any Stage) for quicker responses.
    Take Care
    Lily

    please help
    I have read alot of what you have wrotten, and have posted on blogs before.. You are such an inspiring person to have share your experience and giving people hope.. That's so great of you.. And i'm so happy for you and admire what you do for other's that you don't even know..

    My mom is undergoing her 2nd treatment with chemo. She has gallbladder stage four, and her first treatment didn't work. Her first treatment was gemzar and cisplatin which :( Her onocoligist is treating her with 5fu and now it is her 3rd treatment. He said that if this treatment dosen't work his next step is hospice. She going in 2 weeks for her ct scan to see if it working. Her doctor said before treating with 5fu that the success rate is low.

    I can see how much my mom is suffering where my heart just breaks. And sometimes I feel so selfish for not being there, cause i can't even see her like that. But my mom is a strong woman and always has been, she does everything her doctor tells her to. Always on schedule with her meds, and I sometimes maybe it's her time. But you know what she's the one that makes me believe it's not, by trying her best to fight this.

    Hospice to me is bascically the last option and giving up the fight. I don't want her to suffer but i strongly believe that my mom is someone like you. A cancer survivor.. And if not, I just want to know that me, my sister and brother did everything for her life.

    Do you have any suggestions or anything to help.. i would appreciate it so much.. Thank you again for even taking the time to read this.. please email me evelynchan2004@yahoo.com or casia2468@aol.com... or call me 323- 691-4741... Please help
  • sahil29feb
    sahil29feb Member Posts: 1
    #240
    Lily50 said:

    Gallbladder Cancer Stage 4
    Hi,
    I too was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer stage 4 in the fall of 2005. My husband later told me that I was given a short time frame also. Well they were wrong!

    I had aggressive chemotherpy for almost a year to shink my turmor so that they could operate on my gallbladder, liver, stomach and removal of lymph nodes. I have a great oncologist in Las Vegas, Nevada and had my surgery at UCLA in California. I completed my chemo in March 2007.

    I never lost my HOPE or FAITH and no doctor should ever be allowed to take away your HOPE.

    If I can help answer any questions just let me know. It is a hard road but it is worth it. Every day becomes a blessing.

    Dear Lily50.

    Nice reading your article about Gallbladder cancer, i feel you are very lucky that you overcome from such a circumstances, just wanted to have some information in details about the same as i am going through the same stage. My Mom is been diagnosed as a gallbaldder cancer on stage 4. Presently the plan of treatment is Chemotherpy which we already started and 3 session is over. As per the advise by doctor we have to go through 15 session. It would be great if you can pass the plan of the treatment as you did , as i could save my mom. Further if you wish to send the mail you can send to sahil29feb@rediffmail.com , waiting for your early response.

    Regards
    Sahil Chetry
  • manisa99
    manisa99 Member Posts: 2
    #241
    mother with gallbladder cancer
    hello... Im currently 21 and my mother 51... my mom has been dealing with gallbladder cancer for the past three years .. about a year and three months ago the doctor gave her 4 months to live but she had made until now... well.. after a long battle now shes on the edge to die in any second... I know you are looking for survivors which is the same exact thing I was doing at this time last year but Ive written a blog with all my feelings.... what has gone on and how Ive felt for the past 3 years..... In there you can see my emotions of roller coaster and being in denial to finally coming to an acceptance... even though is still the hardest experience of my life..I seriously spelt my heart out in the LONG blog and maybe someone can relate and learn from my mistakes of at times not being by mothers side and also the shock of having to her in the state that she is in now.. maybe and hopefully this blog can help someone relate and be able to deal with such a traumatic and painful experience... here is the page to my blog of my blog… http://www.randomfactspage.com/ …. It first started as a random website that I wanted to post weird stuff on my free tome but I felt the need to share my experience so it has become more of an emotional page.... hope it helps someone.. heres the link again. http://www.randomfactspage.com/ .... share your thoughts... TRUST ME im in NEED of some support as well..... also the blog december 2012 TRULY speaks my heart.

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