KATE58 UPDATE

WELL,if you read my last discussion from about 3 weeks ago,
"2010 NOT STARTING GOOD" You know about the tumour in the main bile duct
that was removed during the ERCP biopsy.
My surgeon wanted to do a major surgery called a 'whipple' which is bad news.
worse news-- according to a new pet /ct done 2 weeks ago ,the tumour is not only back,but it is larger than before.
the chemo i have been on has been working great on shrinking the tumor in my abdomen,
but apparently has no effect on the bile duct tumor,so we have to come up with a new formula.
when i had the appt with the surgeon about the surgery,i was quite upset,as i had already researched the whipple surgery and i had a really bad feeling about it.
when i got home i called and gave my onc an earful.she said she would speak with the surgeon and let me know what was going on.
According to my onc 5 doctors had quite a heated discission about my case.
my onc and my GI guy were against the surgery as they thought it too drastic to put me through,when i was asymptomatic and the cancer was a secondary cancr (colon,as opposed to pancreatic or bile duct cancer ,which the operation is normally used for)
their plan was to try a diff chemo and see how i respond.they are hoping since they placed a stent in the bile duct,that would keep it open.( if it gets blocked it could mean liver failure)She also said there was acouple things she would try first,but did not elaborate.
My onc says that if i start to show symptoms,all plans may change quickly.
she said she had no idea when i would begin to show symptoms ,could be 3 months ,6 months , could be a year,but when it begins ,i could become critical fast.
So ,my onc and GI guy won this battle ( I AM GLAD) and when Bonnie ,my main care giver heard this she cried with relief,telling me she had researched the surgery herself and did not want me to do it.My onc said she has never seen anyone come out of this surgery without a serious complication.It may prolong your life by a year or so ,but at what cost?
anyhoooo,i had chemo on tuesday and in a couple weeks we should have a new plan.
sorry to be so long winded,but if i can't vent here,where else??
I just wish I knew a way to make my 80 yr old aunt not be so upset,she is really the only family i have ,and i try to sugarcoat things so as not to upset her ,but she's a smart cookie and I can't get away with anything.
well I guess i'll shut up now,and update in acouple weeks when i have more news.
thanks for the shoulder
kATE