Liver mets
Hello there,
what a crazy couple weeks it has been for me. I was diagnosed stage 2 AC back in March 2015.
Everything has been going great until a few weeks ago. I had what was suppose to be my last scan.
when I met the doctor I had a feeling something was not right. He broke the news that my cancer had returned in my liver.
i feel so many loop holes. First my primary doctor misdiagnosed me for 9 months. Then last year they said I had a cycst on my liver that was “suspicious” but ruled it out. Well that cycst was cancer from this yucky disease.
the good news is I’m currently under care at ucsd in San Diego. Doctors are amazing. My liver specialist is one of the top doctors in the world. also, i was fortunate enough to have liver resection. The tumor was in a good spot to have the resection.
im home now and feel really good. I’m just putting everything in Gods hands they got it all. Currently im waiting to see the liver specialist to go over the pathology report. Making sure margins are clear and no lymph node involvement. Doctor did say all went well.
I never thought in a million years I would be here. I’m only 46 years old with an 8 year old that needs me.
can anyone chime in if they had the same metastasis? encouraging chimes only.....lol...The scan only showed in my liver and no where else thank God.
doctors will keep an eye on my every 4 months.
Let me know-I pray for each and everyone of you that they cure us all for nasty disease!
thanks!
sorry for grammar !
Comments
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Lilac
I finished treatment in January 2016. I have not had mets so I can't speak to that - just wanted to thank you for sharing. I'm so glad rhey could resect the cancer out of your liver. No extra chemo or radiation?
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Thanks. Not sure if I’llMollymaude said:Lilac
I finished treatment in January 2016. I have not had mets so I can't speak to that - just wanted to thank you for sharing. I'm so glad rhey could resect the cancer out of your liver. No extra chemo or radiation?
Thanks. Not sure if I’ll have chemo or radiation again. I’ll find out on Monday.
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lilacs35
So sorry cancer showed up in your liver after doing well since your initial treatment for anal cancer. I'm glad to hear your surgery went well and I hope all the news will be good when you see the liver specialist. Since my anal cancer has not shown up anywhere else since my treatment in 2008, I don't have any experience to share with you concerning mets to the liver. I do, however, know that people can respond very well to surgery, followed by chemo, and I hope this will be the case for you. Please let us know what you find out on Monday. I wish you all good news!
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Thank you so much. I willmp327 said:lilacs35
So sorry cancer showed up in your liver after doing well since your initial treatment for anal cancer. I'm glad to hear your surgery went well and I hope all the news will be good when you see the liver specialist. Since my anal cancer has not shown up anywhere else since my treatment in 2008, I don't have any experience to share with you concerning mets to the liver. I do, however, know that people can respond very well to surgery, followed by chemo, and I hope this will be the case for you. Please let us know what you find out on Monday. I wish you all good news!
Thank you so much. I will definitely let you know.
im So glad to hear some people responded to surgery and chemo well.
that is great news.
thanks
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lilacs35...
Hi,
I am so very sorry that you have found yourself with yet another challenge to face...Gods hands are pretty miraculous so you are wise to trust in that!
I was initially dx with stage 3b anal cancer in 2011 and in 2015 with anal cancer mets to my lung. So, while a different area than yours, not something I was happy to hear as well. I had surgery to remove the left lower lobe of my lung that had contained the tumor and then followed with chemo. (5FU and Cisplatin at a slightly more aggressive schedule than the first time) Its funny, but I don't remember exactly, but I know it was every 3 weeks for 3-4 months. I guess the fact that details are moving into a blurry state means I've been moving forward. I am, while I still deal with a few side effects of this treatment, all are for now manageable and I feel great.
I will surely keep you in my thoughts and prayers and wait to hear what you learn next week.
katheryn
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Thanks so much katheryn.eihtak said:lilacs35...
Hi,
I am so very sorry that you have found yourself with yet another challenge to face...Gods hands are pretty miraculous so you are wise to trust in that!
I was initially dx with stage 3b anal cancer in 2011 and in 2015 with anal cancer mets to my lung. So, while a different area than yours, not something I was happy to hear as well. I had surgery to remove the left lower lobe of my lung that had contained the tumor and then followed with chemo. (5FU and Cisplatin at a slightly more aggressive schedule than the first time) Its funny, but I don't remember exactly, but I know it was every 3 weeks for 3-4 months. I guess the fact that details are moving into a blurry state means I've been moving forward. I am, while I still deal with a few side effects of this treatment, all are for now manageable and I feel great.
I will surely keep you in my thoughts and prayers and wait to hear what you learn next week.
katheryn
Thanks so much katheryn. Glad to hear your doing great too.
i Feel really good and came out of surgery with flying colors.
its just the unknown......
God Bless and I’ll let you know how things go on Monday.
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Pathology report
hello,
good news...Met with my liver specialist. He took out 8 lymph nodes and my gallbladder.
all lymp nodrs were clear of cancer. The margins were clear as well.
meet with chemo doctor next week about doing chemo again. Will know more then.
just so happy with the results. Yay.....
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lilacs35...lilacs35 said:Pathology report
hello,
good news...Met with my liver specialist. He took out 8 lymph nodes and my gallbladder.
all lymp nodrs were clear of cancer. The margins were clear as well.
meet with chemo doctor next week about doing chemo again. Will know more then.
just so happy with the results. Yay.....
That is great news! Clear margins are so good to hear. After my lung/mets surgery I too had a clear report. My chemo doctor said to look at the chemo that followed as "insurance" against any possible rogue cells. Thinking that way made it somehow a little easier.
Congrats on todays good news and you'll be in my prayers for continued health as you move forward.
katheryn
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Lilac
I'm so glad your surgery went so well! Best results possible, and they threw in the gallbladder surgery in too! I had to get my gallbladder out about 10 months out from treatment so at least that won't be something that can go wrong in the future.
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Thank youeihtak said:lilacs35...
That is great news! Clear margins are so good to hear. After my lung/mets surgery I too had a clear report. My chemo doctor said to look at the chemo that followed as "insurance" against any possible rogue cells. Thinking that way made it somehow a little easier.
Congrats on todays good news and you'll be in my prayers for continued health as you move forward.
katheryn
hi katheryn,
thank you. sounds like similar situations just different organs.
i really feel great about the news. What type of chemo did they put you on after the lung resection?
and you said it was more intense the second time around? Did you loose your hair?
im praying for you too. Things are going well for you right?
prayers for sure.
tHanks for replying back!
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ThanksMollymaude said:Lilac
I'm so glad your surgery went so well! Best results possible, and they threw in the gallbladder surgery in too! I had to get my gallbladder out about 10 months out from treatment so at least that won't be something that can go wrong in the future.
yes for sure. Thanks for chiming in. i Pray things are good for you as well.
never in a million years would I ever think this would happen to me / us.
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lilacs35...lilacs35 said:Thank you
hi katheryn,
thank you. sounds like similar situations just different organs.
i really feel great about the news. What type of chemo did they put you on after the lung resection?
and you said it was more intense the second time around? Did you loose your hair?
im praying for you too. Things are going well for you right?
prayers for sure.
tHanks for replying back!
Hi,
After my lung surgery I was put on 5FU and Cisplatin (which are the same drugs used for me the first time) I know some doctors go with Mytomycin or Carboplatin with similar results. Although the drugs were the same the schedule was a bit different and for a longer period of time than the initial 6 weeks.
The first time my very thick hair just got very thin, but this time about half way through till the end, my hair got extremely thin and I had some bald patches. I never did loose it all, so just got it cut very short (pixie-like). It wasn't long after treatment ended that it came back thick as ever. My nails suffered as well growing out in brittle layers and breaking easily. In time, they too are strong again. There is a concern about hearing loss with large amounts of Cisplatin so my doctor had me take a hearing test before and after to measure any loss. I did have a short period of light ringing in the ears, but it did not last and was the least of my worries really.
My lung surgery was 2 1/2 years ago now, and though I have some minor problems related mostly to scar tissue, yes, I am doing great! I am active with kids and grandkids, went back to college in my 50's and graduated, travel whenever I can, and am now in the middle of some major home update projects. (Don't ever attempt to paint your own ceiling...its NOT easy, lol!!!)
I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there and be well...
katheryn
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To good to heareihtak said:lilacs35...
Hi,
After my lung surgery I was put on 5FU and Cisplatin (which are the same drugs used for me the first time) I know some doctors go with Mytomycin or Carboplatin with similar results. Although the drugs were the same the schedule was a bit different and for a longer period of time than the initial 6 weeks.
The first time my very thick hair just got very thin, but this time about half way through till the end, my hair got extremely thin and I had some bald patches. I never did loose it all, so just got it cut very short (pixie-like). It wasn't long after treatment ended that it came back thick as ever. My nails suffered as well growing out in brittle layers and breaking easily. In time, they too are strong again. There is a concern about hearing loss with large amounts of Cisplatin so my doctor had me take a hearing test before and after to measure any loss. I did have a short period of light ringing in the ears, but it did not last and was the least of my worries really.
My lung surgery was 2 1/2 years ago now, and though I have some minor problems related mostly to scar tissue, yes, I am doing great! I am active with kids and grandkids, went back to college in my 50's and graduated, travel whenever I can, and am now in the middle of some major home update projects. (Don't ever attempt to paint your own ceiling...its NOT easy, lol!!!)
I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there and be well...
katheryn
such a great success story. Prayers we have this beat.
So good to hear. Since I’ve been off, I find myself bored and wanting to redecorate, paint, shop.
all fun stuff but our bodies wear out to easily. Lol. Don’t think I’ll be painting anytime soon. Lol
I’ll let everyone know what the chemo doctor says....
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Chemomp327 said:Lilac
I am so happy to hear this! I hope you will have a speedy recovery from your surgery, especially knowing your path results now. If you must have follow-up chemo, I hope that will go well for you. Please keep us posted and take care.
Thanks. I wil sure let you know if I need to do chemo again....
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I was diagnosed with stage 4
I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2011 with mets in my lympth nodes and liver. I had a liver resection following chemo and readiation. I was 51 at that time, widowed (my husband committed suicide during my treatment) and raising two small grandchildren alone on a farm. Now, 6 years later, I feel great!!! Still raising grandchildren, living on my farm, raising horses, chickens too!!
Fortunately, I am retired and do volunteer work for 8 different organizations!!! I am truly blessed and thank God everyday for my health and ability to help others. Cancer has made me such a better person than I ever thought possible!!!!
Best wishes to you, I will keep you in my prayers.
Patti
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So good to hear!horsepad said:I was diagnosed with stage 4
I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2011 with mets in my lympth nodes and liver. I had a liver resection following chemo and readiation. I was 51 at that time, widowed (my husband committed suicide during my treatment) and raising two small grandchildren alone on a farm. Now, 6 years later, I feel great!!! Still raising grandchildren, living on my farm, raising horses, chickens too!!
Fortunately, I am retired and do volunteer work for 8 different organizations!!! I am truly blessed and thank God everyday for my health and ability to help others. Cancer has made me such a better person than I ever thought possible!!!!
Best wishes to you, I will keep you in my prayers.
Patti
that is such wonderful news. When it rains it poors doesn’t it?
God has complete control of this....I seperated from my husband two weeks prior. it was my decision. Life is just way to short to be unhappy.
what a challenging time For you too. I’m so sorry for your loss. That must have been extremely difficult. But sounds like your doing fantastic now!
did they make you do chemo again? And which one? Katheryn on my previous email had to do it as well as precautionary.
let me know when you get a chance. So good to hear success stories!!!!!
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I did not do any chemo or
I did not do any chemo or anything else after the resection except I had CT scans every 3 months which gradually became once a year. I have not had a CT scan in two years but I do have bloodwork done semi-annually. I had one tumor on my liver and it was in an area that allowed a resection. At first, I was depressed that after all I went through, I had to have a liver resection but that quickly turned to gratitude. To be able to have a liver resection when so many cancer patients don't qualify was an amazing gift from God and my doctor!!!! When I was first diagnosed at stage 4, I had planned an Alaskan vacation for my husbands 50th birthday and we were to fly out in a few days. Naturally, I had to cancel the trip. I was speaking to a lady on the phone about cancelling our flight. I was crying and explaning I was just diagnosed with cancer and had to start treatment asap and couldn't go on the trip. She told me she had stage 4 cancer 10 years earlier and she was doing great. It gave me the hope I needed, at a time I needed it most, that maybe I could survive. That lady doesn't know what hope she gave me. I drive cancer patients to their doctor appointments for the American Cancer Society. So many are scared and worried about what lies ahead for them. I love to tell my story to them. It gives them hope and encouragement.
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Such a great storyhorsepad said:I did not do any chemo or
I did not do any chemo or anything else after the resection except I had CT scans every 3 months which gradually became once a year. I have not had a CT scan in two years but I do have bloodwork done semi-annually. I had one tumor on my liver and it was in an area that allowed a resection. At first, I was depressed that after all I went through, I had to have a liver resection but that quickly turned to gratitude. To be able to have a liver resection when so many cancer patients don't qualify was an amazing gift from God and my doctor!!!! When I was first diagnosed at stage 4, I had planned an Alaskan vacation for my husbands 50th birthday and we were to fly out in a few days. Naturally, I had to cancel the trip. I was speaking to a lady on the phone about cancelling our flight. I was crying and explaning I was just diagnosed with cancer and had to start treatment asap and couldn't go on the trip. She told me she had stage 4 cancer 10 years earlier and she was doing great. It gave me the hope I needed, at a time I needed it most, that maybe I could survive. That lady doesn't know what hope she gave me. I drive cancer patients to their doctor appointments for the American Cancer Society. So many are scared and worried about what lies ahead for them. I love to tell my story to them. It gives them hope and encouragement.
God gets all the glory, for sure.
So good to hear. Love your story....I want to help as many people as I can. I truly feel I’ll be ok.
they are already wanting to see me every 4 months....
I bet You didn’t have to do chemo again because you were maybe stage 4 from your first visit.
mine came after. 2.5 years later. Will see on Monday.
thanks for responding back!
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Update
hello all,
met with the oncologist....no chemo as of right now....
we are going to keep a close on me every 4 months.
since there was no cancer in my lymph nodes and margins
we all agreed to hold off on chemo. Right now there was no other cancers that the doctors could see
on all my scans. doctor Felt why do chemo if there’s nothing we can see. So i agreed.
Just praying this cancer is out of my system and i can move forward with my life!
so thankful and blessed. Thanks for listening....
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