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Nanoknife

I had something called a nanoknife used on 5 tumors during my liver resection(one tumor was resected). It is my understanding that since it does not use heat to burn the tumors that it can sometimes be used on tumors in difficult areas. I had mine done in Louisiana and there is only one hospital that does it here. 

Just sharing the information, not sure if it will fit your case but worth a try. 

Lisa

Sorry to hear of your

Sorry to hear of your troubles Brenda.  I hope things improve with the chemo.

Sorry the news wasn't better

It really does take the wind out of your sails, and its not an overnight return to normal.

Just after I had my resection surgery, our washer broke, then on top of that we had a burst water pipe that shot water everywhere for half an hour. The lid to our turn off pipe was 8 inches under frozen snow, and when hub got to it, it was frozen shut.

Sometimes it doesn't rain, it just pours. 

Here is hoping that the chemo shrinks the tumour enough for some succcesful surgery in the near future. 

Hugs for both you and your hubby. 

their rx thinking

Kras wild means erbitux (cetuximab) and Vectibix (panitumumab) have a better chance of working to disrupt EGFR signals by binding the receptor.   For most patients with Kras mutant, Erbitux and Vectibix don't work at all.  Typically erbitux has been used in the 2nd or 3rd line chemo. It's been very expensive and often of marginal value, especially before they started tests for Kras mutant.  Vectibix is cheaper, and the test sharpens the application. 

Varmint5 said:

You got some good news in there!

Brenda, the fact that he is KRAS wild is a good thing. That means there are more chemo options for him that don't work for others with KRAS mutant tumors - Erbitux, Vectibix. So that is a bit of good news in there for you from that appointment. Don't have time to write more now, but hang on to this good news. There are several options for inoperable liver tumors. My daughter is possibly going to have Cyberknife. Craig (Sundanceh) had it. Hang in there.

Sandy

Brenda

I mention this because it was on our news channel recently. There is a fairly new radiation treatment called Proton Therapy. It is supposed to be extremely directive with far less chance of affecting nearby tissue. It appears there are 11 locations in the U.S. offering it, one located in Chicago.  Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Phoenix are building their center now, but will not be ready until 2015-2016. I don't know exactly where you are located, but the Chicago location might be an option if this interests you.

In the meantime, I will concentrate on "shrink, shrink, shrink" for his cancer that he may soon be able to have some type of radiation or surgery.

Luv,

Wolfen

So sorry.....

Your trip to Madison didn't turn out with the results you were hoping for.....takes the wind out of your sails! I have a similar situation in that I had hoped for RFA on a lung tumor and met with the doctor last week and he can't do it because the tumor is too close or on the blood vessel. He was concerned that he wouldn't be able to get large enough margins and it would probably grow back. Continuing chemo and starting radiation on Monday. Why do appliances break when you are so stressed you can't handle another thing???  Sending positive thoughts your way......~ Ann

Brenda Bricco said:

Thanks

Thanks for all the positive remarks, I was in a serious funk last week but I am doing a little better now.

Dennis starts chemo Wednesday and even though I know it will slow him down I am anxious to get going on those tumors. This reoccurance has really knocked us both for a loop but we are beginning to get up, knock the dust off and get back to the fight.

Sorry it took me so long to reply... I worked all weekend and everytime I came to the board it was really slow. I guess I was too tired to wait to post.

It was my friends birthday yesterday so we ventured out to celbrate, I had three beers and felt horrible all night long. I'm not sure when I got so old that I couldn't even have a couple, I guess I was out of practice too long.

The new washer and dryer will be here today and I can tackle the mountain of laundry that has been collecting since the beginning of last week. I am not sure why I am so exicited to get the new machines that I really don't care to use - but hey, it's something new!

Hi Brenda. Your situation is
Hi Brenda. Your situation is similar to ours. We were so disappointed when the cancer returned (to the liver). So disappointing. Returning to chemo was majorly depressing. But we adjusted. Now it's just a regular part of life. Steve too was told that there were no options for his liver. No resection, no RFA, no targeted treatment of any sort etc....... We thought this was unacceptable and we ventured to another hospital. Totally different story. Many options. Don't get too down about anything any one doctor tells you. Some surgeons are simply better than others. Seek other opinions. Remember too, chemo can really change the picture. Literally. After a few sessions of chemo it could be a whole new ball game for Dennis. Also, congratulations on Dennis being the k ras wild type. Steve has the mutation and therefore fewer options. Thanks for the update.

Chelsea

I know what you mean about being excited about buying the washer and dryer. Lately I have been finding that spending money on things I can't afford or don't need is quite thrilling. (I realize you need the washer and dryer). I find it's a nice distraction from the cancer. The thrill is very short-lived though. Then I'm left feeling let down because I've wasted money. I'm going to have to rein myself in. Hmmm...... Maybe I should see that therapist after all. Lol. Good luck on Wednesday

Chelsea

Sorry to hear your news

Sorry to hear your news. I know you are feeling overwhelmed and hope that things improve once chemo is started.  Everytime I get on here which is not often anymore, I see more people going through the same scenario that we are.  We are in the same place right now so I don't have a posiitive story yet but I am hopeful that we still have options.  My husband's tumor is close to the artery also and they are talking about radiation for him now.  It is all very confusing and hard to understand.  What chemo will he be on?  We need to keep in touch as our situations are very similar.  Hugs, Teri