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Cazz
Cazz Member Posts: 106
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi, I know I have dropped off the radar lately, but after failing the Nivolumab/Opdivo clinical trial I got quite depressed.  My largest liver tumor was threatening my bile duct as well as my hepatic artery and was much too big to consider surgery.  So, at the end of October, I went in to get the SIR spheres injected.  It was not a bad process and I only had one day of a lot of pain and then we got it under control with Dilaudid/hydromorphone, which I quite like as it doesn't make me as stupid as the Oxys.  This was only the 2nd time that MD Anderson had used the spheres on a patient with anal cancer mets, although its used quite often on colo-rectal mets.  They said that the first person, about six months ago had seen "spectacular" results, her mets shrank and continue to shrink even now.  As she only has one or two small lesions on her lung, which are stable, she has not been taking any chemo for the last six months and of course they are very pleased with her.  The Interventional Radiologist who implanted them has a theory that anal mets are particularly susceptible to radiation, so he is quite keen to see my results - as of course am I.

I'm going back to Houston tomorrow, CT scan on Wednesday, and on Thursday I get the verdict on how or what the spheres did against the (3+) liver tumors.  Of course I am hoping that it has cut them off at the pass and that they are even shrinking.  It wouldn't take me out of the woods as I still have lung and lymph mets, but it could buy me some time, maybe a few months, where I get a chance to try other chemos and immunotherapy drugs.

I will try and post the results.  If they are good, the SIR spheres may be more widely considered for large or multiple liver mets in anal patients, always nice to have something else to try.  However, if the results are good, I am off to see my Mum in England for a month and she hasn't got internet so it may take a while.  If the results are bad, I have no idea what I am going to do.  Hopefully,  the docs will come up with something that has a chance of working - nothing else has so far.

Carol

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Carol

    Thank you so much for the update.  I am always happy to hear that someone has had good results from a procedure, especially one newly used to treat anal cancer mets.  I hope you will get good news in Houston tomorrow, just like this other patient has who had this procedure.  I so hope you will be able to go visit your mother.  I will certainly be thinking all good thoughts for you and sending up some prayers.  Please let us know what you find out.  Best wishes!

    Martha 

  • jad345
    jad345 Member Posts: 21
    #3
    Carol

    I, too am hoping everything works out for you. I am having a scan on Dec 18th to see if I have liver mets, so I'll be interested to see how things go for you.

    The best of luck

    Jackie

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #4
    Carol

    Thank you for posting.  I hope this go well for you and I appreciate you sharing.

    Tracey

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    jad345 said:

    Carol

    I, too am hoping everything works out for you. I am having a scan on Dec 18th to see if I have liver mets, so I'll be interested to see how things go for you.

    The best of luck

    Jackie

    Jackie

    Best wishes on your upcoming scan.  I hope there will be no mets found and that the news will be all good for you.

    Martha

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #6
    Carol

    I am sending positive thoughts your way for a good scan and I hope you will be flying off to see your mom. 

    I wish you well.  Lori

  • jad345
    jad345 Member Posts: 21
    #7
    Carol and Martha

    Carol- I just want to thank you for all the information you provide. I don't think that the doctors at my cancer center have much experience with anal cancer. If I do have liver mets, I'll be printing out your post to show them.

    Martha - I want to thank you for all the best wishes you give me and everybody else. It always cheers me up when I log onto this site and know that I'm not the only one struggling with this.

    Jackie

     

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #8
    jad345 said:

    Carol and Martha

    Carol- I just want to thank you for all the information you provide. I don't think that the doctors at my cancer center have much experience with anal cancer. If I do have liver mets, I'll be printing out your post to show them.

    Martha - I want to thank you for all the best wishes you give me and everybody else. It always cheers me up when I log onto this site and know that I'm not the only one struggling with this.

    Jackie

     

    Jackie

    Thank you for your kind words.  We have a great group of people here who do lift each other up.  I hope it turns out that you do not have liver mets--that is my prayer for you.  If that prayer is not answered and you do, I would recommend seeing someone (like Dr. Eng at MD Anderson in Houston) who deals with patients in this situation all the time.  At the very least, I would ask your doctor(s) to contact her by phone and do a consult that way.  She would need to see copies of your records, which can be sent online.  I send to you my best wishes for good news.

    Martha

  • jad345
    jad345 Member Posts: 21
    #9
    Martha

    Unfortunately I live in Ireland and my chemo consultant isn't especially impressed when I quote things from American sites! My radiologist though is quite willing to listen to my suggestions so hopfully I will be dealing with him.

    Jackie

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #10
    jad345 said:

    Martha

    Unfortunately I live in Ireland and my chemo consultant isn't especially impressed when I quote things from American sites! My radiologist though is quite willing to listen to my suggestions so hopfully I will be dealing with him.

    Jackie

    Jackie

    I didn't know you lived in Ireland, but I guess that makes MD Anderson a little inconvenient.  It sounds like you have a good radiation oncologist, so you'll be in good hands.

    Martha

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