Surgery---stunned

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eightpawz
eightpawz Member Posts: 28
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Since my Stage IV diagnosis the doctor has said I would never be a surgical candidate, too many tumors in my liver. I have been doing chemo for 14 months. I know that I've responded very well to the chemo, as the doctor was actually noticeably excited by my last CT scan. At my last oncology appointment the doctor said "how about a few more cycles of chemo, then we'll discuss other options." To which I replied "SIRT?" He said, maybe some SIRT, but I was thinking surgery. I nearly fell off the table. I was stunned and retorted, "you told me I'd never be a surgical canddiate?" He said he was wrong. I'm still kind of stunned. I was wondering about the recovery period after a liver resection. I'm a single Mom with a 2.5 year old daughter. We would go stay with my sister, but I'm just wondering about how long recovery is. I've wanted surgery, but now I'm actually nervous.

-Dawn

Comments

  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #2
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    That is marvelous Dawn!
    My husband is looking at liver rection in January so I won't be much help on recovery info but there are tons on here that can help. My husband was also inoperable until after the chemo had done a wonderful job on liver tumors. I know how the nerves start to make you a little side ways but you are headed in the right direction. God's blessings...
    Brenda
  • jasminsaba
    jasminsaba Member Posts: 157 Member
    #3
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    Hi ...
    Dawn - I can't help you with any information regarding a liver resection but wanted to post how happy it made me to read your good news. All the best to you.
  • jasminsaba
    jasminsaba Member Posts: 157 Member
    #4
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    Brenda Bricco said:

    That is marvelous Dawn!
    My husband is looking at liver rection in January so I won't be much help on recovery info but there are tons on here that can help. My husband was also inoperable until after the chemo had done a wonderful job on liver tumors. I know how the nerves start to make you a little side ways but you are headed in the right direction. God's blessings...
    Brenda

    Chemo regiment ...
    Brenda and Dawn - do you mind my asking what chemo regimens you've each been subjected to? My mom has been on Folfox ... just wondering if one is more effective than another in addressing liver tumors.

    Thanks a bunch - Jasmine.
  • eightpawz
    eightpawz Member Posts: 28
    #5
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    jasminsaba said:

    Chemo regiment ...
    Brenda and Dawn - do you mind my asking what chemo regimens you've each been subjected to? My mom has been on Folfox ... just wondering if one is more effective than another in addressing liver tumors.

    Thanks a bunch - Jasmine.

    Folfox
    I've been doing Folfox. My schedule, however, is a little different than most. They try and work around my daughter's schedule. Most I know go every two weeks and wear the pump for 48 hours. I go 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Week 1 is a long session including Oxalyplatin, week 2 is short -- no Oxaly, and week 3 is another long session. My doc is really surprised. My liver was 75% full of tumors in the beginning. Now, a large portion of them are gone. I'm not going to discount the fact that I've done a bunch of the alternative stuff too. They're also surprised that chemo does not have too much of an effect on me. I function normally 95% of the time. In the warmer weather rode my motorcycle whenever I had opportunity, took my daughter camping for a week, and spent lots of time on the playground. People see me and don't know there's anything wrong with me. Only about 5 people in my office know I have cancer. I go to chemo with my laptop and cellphone in tow. Sit in on conference calls, respond to email and generate reports all while sitting in the chair. My oncologist says I treat cancer like a dent someone left in my car in a parking lot. I said it's more like a ding in my door. Something that just annoys me.
  • karen40
    karen40 Member Posts: 211 Member
    #6
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    Dawn
    Hi,
    I can't give you any advice on liver resection but I just had to post to let you know that I admire your attitude and that I am so happy for you. I'm sure others that can help will post soon.
    Congrats,
    Karen
  • rlridings
    rlridings Member Posts: 42
    #7
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    I was in the hospital for 4
    I was in the hospital for 4 days after the resection - they send you home w a drain to pull fluid and that comes out in a little over 10 days - you should be fine
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #8
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    Hi Dawn
    Yours is (yet) another great example of doctors saying too much about something they do not know the outcome of for whatever reason they do that.
    I'm glad that the option of a resection will soon be yours. I had one many years ago and the recovery wasn't that bad. Of course, running after a 2 1/2 year old is never easy, you should be able to catch her after a little while.
    -p
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #9
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    eightpawz said:

    Folfox
    I've been doing Folfox. My schedule, however, is a little different than most. They try and work around my daughter's schedule. Most I know go every two weeks and wear the pump for 48 hours. I go 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Week 1 is a long session including Oxalyplatin, week 2 is short -- no Oxaly, and week 3 is another long session. My doc is really surprised. My liver was 75% full of tumors in the beginning. Now, a large portion of them are gone. I'm not going to discount the fact that I've done a bunch of the alternative stuff too. They're also surprised that chemo does not have too much of an effect on me. I function normally 95% of the time. In the warmer weather rode my motorcycle whenever I had opportunity, took my daughter camping for a week, and spent lots of time on the playground. People see me and don't know there's anything wrong with me. Only about 5 people in my office know I have cancer. I go to chemo with my laptop and cellphone in tow. Sit in on conference calls, respond to email and generate reports all while sitting in the chair. My oncologist says I treat cancer like a dent someone left in my car in a parking lot. I said it's more like a ding in my door. Something that just annoys me.

    Chemo
    We all respond differently but yours is a very good story. People had no idea I had cancer by looking at me either. Hell, I had no idea I had it either! I kayaked for 81 consecutive days prior to my liver resection where about 70% was resected. It's very helpful when treatment can be tweaked as needed.
    I had posted something last week about the benefit of positive attitudes and how there is no data to back that up. I personally don't care if here is data or not, I just care that it's done me well and it seems it did for you too.
    -p
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #10
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    congrats
    Sounds like a new dawn. Congratulations.
  • mef123
    mef123 Member Posts: 45
    #11
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    Happy for you
    I am so happy for you! I know it must be scary especially the healing part with 2 year old but I'm sure you'll get through it just fine and be running around with her in no time.

    Michele
  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #12
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    mef123 said:

    Happy for you
    I am so happy for you! I know it must be scary especially the healing part with 2 year old but I'm sure you'll get through it just fine and be running around with her in no time.

    Michele

    Wow sounds like you have had
    Wow sounds like you have had a great response to your treatments :) Did your doctor know you were doing alternative stuff too?? What were you taking aside from the chemo.? I have no experience on the liver side of things, but just thinking after any kind of surgery you'll need a hand with your two year old, they're just bundles of energy and you'll need to rest up to get strong again. All the best :)
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #13
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    smokeyjoe said:

    Wow sounds like you have had
    Wow sounds like you have had a great response to your treatments :) Did your doctor know you were doing alternative stuff too?? What were you taking aside from the chemo.? I have no experience on the liver side of things, but just thinking after any kind of surgery you'll need a hand with your two year old, they're just bundles of energy and you'll need to rest up to get strong again. All the best :)

    Liver Resection
    Hi: In April 2010 I had my gallbladder removed, a tumour that had spread into the liver, and a liver resection. This was done laparoscopically (don't do it that way!) and I ended up in emergency with a burst blood vessel so had another surgery, the full incision. I was in intensive care for 10 days but honestly felt pretty good after 5 days. It took awhile for the incision to heal but I felt good the entire time. I had to be careful about lifting things and couldn't drive for 6 weeks. I think about 1/5 th of my liver was removed.
    Cheryl
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #14
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    eightpawz said:

    Folfox
    I've been doing Folfox. My schedule, however, is a little different than most. They try and work around my daughter's schedule. Most I know go every two weeks and wear the pump for 48 hours. I go 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Week 1 is a long session including Oxalyplatin, week 2 is short -- no Oxaly, and week 3 is another long session. My doc is really surprised. My liver was 75% full of tumors in the beginning. Now, a large portion of them are gone. I'm not going to discount the fact that I've done a bunch of the alternative stuff too. They're also surprised that chemo does not have too much of an effect on me. I function normally 95% of the time. In the warmer weather rode my motorcycle whenever I had opportunity, took my daughter camping for a week, and spent lots of time on the playground. People see me and don't know there's anything wrong with me. Only about 5 people in my office know I have cancer. I go to chemo with my laptop and cellphone in tow. Sit in on conference calls, respond to email and generate reports all while sitting in the chair. My oncologist says I treat cancer like a dent someone left in my car in a parking lot. I said it's more like a ding in my door. Something that just annoys me.

    Eightpawz- you are AMAZING-
    Eightpawz- you are AMAZING- to be in the game of life so completely during this cancer.
    WOW, I am a fan. I was jealous of people like you, still am even though 1 & 3/4 years post liver resection. So glad you are showing Cancer who's BOSS!
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #15
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    Dawn
    Congratulations to you!

    This is what you worked so long and hard for - of course, you're stunned. You had it programmed in your mind that it probably wasn't going to happen and then the tables turned and your brain went into shock.

    Once you shake that off, I think you will see how fortunate you are to be eligible for surgery. I believe strongly in surgery, because I feel it gives us our best chance at staying ahead of the disease. I'd rather do a surgery than treatments, that much is certain.

    I went for a liver resection (80%) but my liver was not in good shape and the surgeon changed strategies and decided to give me an RFA procedure, which was successful. We had to do Cyberknife behind it, but we got rid of it locally. Heavy chemo followed....etc.

    Embrace this new change of direction and I wish you all the luck in the world:)

    -Craig
  • eightpawz
    eightpawz Member Posts: 28
    #16
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    Thank you...
    For all the positive thoughts. I'm lucky. My sister has remodeled her home so that I can sty with my daughter. I also have a wonderful boyfriend. Now HE is amazing. Only knew me 2 months when I was diagnosed, he's not going anywhere. Actually wants my daughter and I to move in with him. They will help me chase my little one after surgery.

    -Dawn
  • eightpawz
    eightpawz Member Posts: 28
    #17
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    smokeyjoe said:

    Wow sounds like you have had
    Wow sounds like you have had a great response to your treatments :) Did your doctor know you were doing alternative stuff too?? What were you taking aside from the chemo.? I have no experience on the liver side of things, but just thinking after any kind of surgery you'll need a hand with your two year old, they're just bundles of energy and you'll need to rest up to get strong again. All the best :)

    Alternatives...
    I take a boatload of supplements -- Tumeric, Ginger Root, Mushrooms, Chlorella, Spirulina, Essiac, Magnesium, Probiotic (50 Billion cultures), PH supplements to keep my system alkaline and other things I can't remember off the top of my head. I also changed my diet, drink lots of water and juice. Funny thing, my 2 year old always wants to try my juice concoctions. Only 2 year old I know that loves lima beans. She (Andi-Jane) is the BEST supplement there is.

    -Dawn
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #18
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    eightpawz said:

    Thank you...
    For all the positive thoughts. I'm lucky. My sister has remodeled her home so that I can sty with my daughter. I also have a wonderful boyfriend. Now HE is amazing. Only knew me 2 months when I was diagnosed, he's not going anywhere. Actually wants my daughter and I to move in with him. They will help me chase my little one after surgery.

    -Dawn

    I worked same as you, no one
    I worked same as you, no one but my boss knew at the office. I worked the whole time, commuted 2.5 hours a day, worked 10 hours. So glad that I was able to do all that. I am now in remission and working full time, after losing my job. But that is another story.....
    Document, document any thing that you feel is a negative at work. I thought all was fine, I was doing my job, I worked because I loved it and I wanted the Company to know that I appreciated them, and I thought the same was happening for me, then bang, bang, bang, Bang, BanG, BANG!!!

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