I don't want to have liver surgery too :-(

Jacq03
Jacq03 Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with colon cancer (in my sigmoid actually) in July. During the "routine" scans, the doctors discovered a huge hemangioma on my liver measuring 8.7 cm. I had my cancer surgery in Septmeber, and had a follow up with the liver specialist today. He sent me for yet another scan (tears streamed down my face. I am tired of scans) and is recommending surgery- not now, but in 6 months. Supposedly the benign tumor is starting to obstruct bile ducts, etc. Doc said having your liver operated on is "major" surgery. Has anyone else discovered a hemangioma during scans? And please tell me how horrific is liver surgery? I found my colon surgery to be painful, but recovery surprisingly quick. Thanks. Everyone is so super on this discussion board. I don't weigh in often, but it helps me to read postings.

Comments

  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #2
    sorry to hear about this
    I'm sorry to hear you'll need liver surgery.

    I have either a hemangioma, or cancer on my liver. Or both. Questionable spots on a CT led to a PET (which showed no problems in the area on the CT, but had new problems), which led to a MRI. And they still don't know what is what. Some of what lit in my liver might be surgery trauma, as two small spots were biopsied when I had my resection - they were benign. After the MRI they said they think there is a hemangioma on my liver, but it wasn't conclusive. Surgery was never mentioned for it. Maybe because mine is small?

    I should find out more when I am re-scanned (PET) the end of December. I've been enjoying my break from scans. In two months I had a CT, PET, MRI, chest Xrays 3 times, dental Xrays, and a mammogram. I think my body needed a break.

    I would go see a liver surgeon and ask some questions there.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #3
    hemangioma
    Google "hemangioma" and get a world of info!

    I always ask the same question: When are you going to seek a
    second (and/or third) opinion?

    No-one should have any kind of a major life-changing operation
    without getting other opinions. Even oral surgery and dental work
    should have other opinions.

    You owe it to yourself, and all good doctors welcome it.
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #4
    John23 said:

    hemangioma
    Google "hemangioma" and get a world of info!

    I always ask the same question: When are you going to seek a
    second (and/or third) opinion?

    No-one should have any kind of a major life-changing operation
    without getting other opinions. Even oral surgery and dental work
    should have other opinions.

    You owe it to yourself, and all good doctors welcome it.

    liver resection 4/18
    I had liver surgery and it does take longer to heal then the colorectal surgery, but it's doable. I was in the hospital 5 days and laid up for a couple weeks before I could really move around my house. I was out of work 8 weeks, and still ached and was not totally myself or just when I was begining to get around, I had to start chemo again.

    It will be okay. We can't change what we have to do, we can only deal with it. It's best to hit it head on and get it over with...........of course get your second opinion. Once you get it, focus on what you have to do and take it a day at a time. You will one day be done with this. I think attitude has a lot to do with healing. Smile all you can.

    A big hug from me to you, may we all live to be a hundred!
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #5
    Getting De-Livered
    I had all of my surgeries done at the same time. I think they were running a buy one get 2 free deal or something. While I was in the hospital for 16 days (mostly due to my bowels stopping) the recovery was slow. Again, I had colon, liver, gallbladder surgery and a HAI pump installed all at the same time. I was glad I did since operations are not the most pleasant thing.
    I think that all surgeries are major surgeries but I assume that your doctor may mean that it's a more important organ than an appendix?

    If you need it, you need it. In the scope of things it's not as bad as alternatives.
    -p
  • Jacq03
    Jacq03 Member Posts: 9
    #6
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    sorry to hear about this
    I'm sorry to hear you'll need liver surgery.

    I have either a hemangioma, or cancer on my liver. Or both. Questionable spots on a CT led to a PET (which showed no problems in the area on the CT, but had new problems), which led to a MRI. And they still don't know what is what. Some of what lit in my liver might be surgery trauma, as two small spots were biopsied when I had my resection - they were benign. After the MRI they said they think there is a hemangioma on my liver, but it wasn't conclusive. Surgery was never mentioned for it. Maybe because mine is small?

    I should find out more when I am re-scanned (PET) the end of December. I've been enjoying my break from scans. In two months I had a CT, PET, MRI, chest Xrays 3 times, dental Xrays, and a mammogram. I think my body needed a break.

    I would go see a liver surgeon and ask some questions there.

    I completely understand
    I completely understand about the scans! When they sent me over for ANOTHER CT scan yesterday, I sat outside the hospital and cried. I actually contemplated getting in the car and leaving. The doc I saw was a specialized liver surgeon at USC- and I am going to get another opinion or two. I got a copy of the scan yesterday to take to other doctors. When they first saw the hemangiomas, I guess they thought it was cancer. BUt the one is so huge. I will keep you in my prayers that your spots are likely a hemangioma. They tell me more common in women who had taken birth control or have had pregnancies. THose hormones again!
  • Jacq03
    Jacq03 Member Posts: 9
    #7
    Nana b said:

    liver resection 4/18
    I had liver surgery and it does take longer to heal then the colorectal surgery, but it's doable. I was in the hospital 5 days and laid up for a couple weeks before I could really move around my house. I was out of work 8 weeks, and still ached and was not totally myself or just when I was begining to get around, I had to start chemo again.

    It will be okay. We can't change what we have to do, we can only deal with it. It's best to hit it head on and get it over with...........of course get your second opinion. Once you get it, focus on what you have to do and take it a day at a time. You will one day be done with this. I think attitude has a lot to do with healing. Smile all you can.

    A big hug from me to you, may we all live to be a hundred!

    Amen! And thank you.

    Amen! And thank you.
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 555 Member
    #8
    Stage 4 who had liver surgery
    I know how tough it is hearing about it but you can do it. I did and it was tougher than colon surgery but for me not much... 5 days at Stanford and the only really painful part was removing the drain at the end... lots of tired and slow moving but I was home for 2 weeks then back to work as a teacher. That was 3 years ago...
    Chip

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